SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AND THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT


Black lives matter international activist movement protesting against racism and fighting for justice – Demonstrators from different cultures and race protest on street for equal rights

The events following George Floyd’s death have seen people all over the world demanding justice and equality, denouncing racism and discrimination across global institutions and industries. The Black Lives Matter movement has reached every one of us. For the first time, we are seeing a collective response from corporate leaders, who are not only releasing statements of support, but are announcing actions and measures to tackle these issues.


Whether you are a journalist, political activist, or writer, addressing issues of socio-economic inequality, criminal injustices, systemic and structural racism requires a collective effort from all of us.



Economic Empowerment and Supplier Diversity

As the Founder of a leading non-profit organisation in the UK that champions supplier diversity by supporting Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs), I was recently asked to make a statement about MSDUK’s position on these issues. Speaking at a virtual Business Opportunity event this month, I shared my own views on how we can start to move forward and address economic inequality.

As a social entrepreneur, I am good at finding solutions to these types of problems. I am not an activist, a historian, or a public speaker; I see a problem and seek a solution. Addressing economic inequality is exactly what MSDUK has been doing for the past 16 years. By pursuing supplier diversity in both public and private sector organisations, we have the power to make a long-lasting difference.



Calling FTSE100 to commit to spend 1% of revenue with ethnic minority businesses

Supplier diversity helps to reduce economic inequalities by encouraging entrepreneurship in disadvantaged communities. Over time, this leads to the creation of jobs and an increase in wealth within those communities, which subsequently leads to better living standards and improved levels of health.


However, both the private and public sectors in the UK have been too slow to realise the full potential of supplier diversity as a powerful tool to drive social and economic change. Only five FTSE100 and twelve Fortune 500 firms are MSDUK members.


We are asking all FTSE100 firms and global corporations with a significant presence in the UK to make supplier diversity a core part of your strategy. We urge organisations to make a public commitment to do business with Ethnic Minority Businesses, and to back this with measurable targets. We ask ALL FTSE100 firms to commit to a minimum of 1% spend of their annual revenue with Ethnic Minority Businesses and we are starting this campaign by asking all current MSDUK corporate members to make this commitment.


When it comes to the public sector, sadly the position of organisations is even worse in the UK. None of the 24 government departments or any local councils in the UK have a remit or mandate around supply diversity – this needs to change, and it needs to change quickly.



Lack of data around ethnic minority businesses

One of the biggest challenges is a lack of data on business ownership in the UK. The UK government does not monitor ownership of businesses around ethnicity or gender. How can you produce policies to support disadvantaged business groups, if you do not collect or analyse any data? Quality data helps to develop informed policies that have a lasting impact.


For the past 20 years, MSDUK and many other business support groups, as well as academics, have been asking the government to measure business ownership without any success. We are asking the UK government to direct Companies House to include questions around the ethnic background and gender of directors and business size, each time a new company is registered and when annual tax returns are submitted.



MSDUK is committed to socio-economic change

MSDUK is committed to lead from the front to bring about this socio-economic change. A growing economic inequality sits right at the heart of social injustice, poor health, housing, and education levels within Ethnic Minority Communities across the UK. But we can only succeed if we get more corporate organisations to join us, and more Ethnic Minority Businesses to become part of this movement. MSDUK is offering a one-year free membership to Ethnic Minority Businesses



Calling Public Sector to rise to the challenge

And, if we want the private sector to deliver on these promises, we also need public procurement policies. We need to make supplier diversity mandatory in government tender and contract processes. ALL under-represented business groups – ethnic minorities, women, and others – should be a key part of the government’s policy to spend 33% with SMEs.


The UK Government has to implement provisions of The Social Value Act 2012 which calls for all public sector commissioning to factor in (“have regard to”) economic, social and environmental well-being in connection with public services contracts.


Only by working together, will we be able to create more opportunities and more business. So, let us all come together NOW to build a fairer, more equal, and more inclusive society!

MSDUK is committed to raising socio-economic change issues by:

•            Calling British firms to take supplier diversity seriously

•            Calling the UK government to make supplier diversity mandatory in public procurement

•            Showcasing the best of British Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs)


MSDUK is currently running campaigns using these two hashtags: #EMBMatters and #spendwithEMBs. Please follow our campaigns and share with your own online networks.


Are you a private or public sector organisation interested in making supplier diversity a key part of your strategy? Are you ready to make a public commitment and work with a leading organisation, who is committed in supporting Ethnic Minority Businesses across the UK?


For more information about MSDUK, please contact us.


Mayank Shah, Founder & CEO, MSDUK

“Without MSDUK it would probably be a lot harder in terms of business-to-business sales functions because MSDUK gave us access to get our first client, Enterprise Rent-a-Car and from there we were able to snowball.”

Julie Chen

FOUNDER & CEO
THE CHEEKY PANDA 

FEATURED VIDEO

An Introduction to MSDUK.

“The MSDUK Innovation Challenge not only helped me personally; but included Kapsule in a supportive community. In that community we found our assumptions challenged, ideas stress tested, and received invaluable advice. That’s the power of #Diversity!”

David Chen

Co-CEO
KAPSULE

Corporate Members

Since 2006, we have been at the forefront of driving the supplier diversity movement in the UK. Align with organisations dedicated to supplier diversity and become a part of the MSDUK community. As a member, you will connect with a network of corporate leaders who, are committed to empowering ethnic minority businesses. The companies below represent just a glimpse of our extensive corporate network.

T. +44 (0) 116 2532520

E. [email protected]

A. Studio 5, Phoenix Square,
     3 Burton Street, Leicester LE1 1TB UK

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