Ethnically Diverse-Led Business Owners in Supply Chains
Include Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse-led enterprise and business owners in supply chains is principle seven of Business in the Community’s (BITC) Race at Work Charter. This ethnically diverse-led business owners in supply chains toolkit contains recommendations for employers to create and sustain a supplier diversity programme.
Employers should ensure that all potential suppliers have a fair and equal opportunity to compete for business. As outlined in BITC’s Driving Sustainability Through Procurement report and Addressing Emissions in your Supply Chain factsheet, supply chains and procurement are a powerful tool to tackle entrenched social and environmental problems. Inclusive procurement has the potential to drive social value for underserved ethnically diverse communities while supporting economic growth. By targeting local small- and medium-sized ethnically diverse businesses, employers can benefit from access to local knowledge, alignment with a culturally diverse marketplace, a reduction in transport and logistics costs, and an opportunity to support and build relationships with local communities.
The Race at Work Charter
All organisations want to recruit from the widest pool of talent and help successful applicants progress. It is key to future productivity and performance. Ethnic minority staff still encounter significant disparities in employment and progression1. The government-sponsored Race in the workplace: The McGregor-Smith Review found that greater progress and positive outcomes are needed to ensure all organisations benefit from the wealth of diverse talent on offer.
seven actions to improve
workplace equality
