Explore the Inclusive Supply Chain report by BITC, highlighting key insights for fair and diverse procurement practices.
Building Fairer, More Inclusive Supply Chains
In October 2024, Business in the Community (BITC) published the first Diverse and Inclusive Supply Chains Insights Report, drawing on responses from our Leadership, Employees and Procurement survey conducted with YouGov.
As set out in Commitment Seven of the Race at Work Charter, BITC continues to encourage employers to include Black, Asian, Mixed Race, and other ethnically diverse-led small businesses, founders, and enterprise owners in supply chains.
This report, Building Fairer, More Inclusive Supply Chains, builds on this commitment, providing further thematic insights into what needs to change to make procurement systems fairer, clearer and more accessible.
To improve and encourage good practice in inclusive supply chains, large businesses and public sector organisations should complete the Inclusive Procurement Maturity Model and implement the following measures:
Establish robust processes to ensure fair and prompt payments, with a clear commitment to settle invoices for diverse founders and SMEs within 30 days or earlier.
Increase the visibility of procurement opportunities for diverse founders and SMEs through targeted communication and outreach initiatives, offer mentoring through procurement processes and generate greater social value across communities and locations.
Provide structured and constructive feedback to unsuccessful SME bidders to help them enhance the quality and competitiveness of future submissions.
Benefits of diverse and inclusive supply chains
Diverse and inclusive supply chains stimulate economic growth and job creation in underrepresented communities, as diverse suppliers often operate in these areas. It is also a great way to boost business performance through:
Increased innovation and creativity, as diverse perspectives and experiences bring fresh ideas to the table.
Better understanding and connection with customers, tapping into a wider range of cultural and demographic insights.
Improved reputation, brand image and commitment to responsible business.
Explore BITC’s 2024–2025 Annual Report, showcasing a year of action, collaboration, and impact advancing fairer workplaces, communities, and climate action.
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