Supplier Diversity Europe’s 2nd
Supplier Diversity Day will take place on Wednesday 28th November
2007 at Canary Wharf in London. Attendance will be by invitation only.
Members of Supplier Diversity Europe
are currently identifying business sectors and sub-sectors within which they
have trading opportunities. Diverse-owned businesses operating within these
sectors will then be identified and invited to 2nd Supplier
Diversity Day, and in particular to pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings with
procurers from member corporations. Sectors that are likely to be included:
- Temporary
agency staff (not social care)
- Permanent
recruitment (financial and professional services)
- Uniforms
and workwear
- Facilities
management (particularly architectural and project management services for
corporate office refits)
- Office
supplies
- Corporate
gifts
- Catering
& events services (including diverse-owned restaurants and hotels)
Diverse-owned businesses interested in
taking part in 2nd Supplier Diversity Day are cordially invited to
complete and submit their profile for registration within this Database, as
this will facilitate a ‘matching’ of SME businesses to corporate opportunities.
Most members of Supplier Diversity
Europe consider ‘diverse’ businesses to be those at least 51% owned by people
from minority ethnic groups, women, people with a disability and/or people who
are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Some, however, are seeking to
meet potential suppliers from the wider small and medium sized enterprise
community.
Most
corporations expect, as minimum, that suppliers are structured as limited
companies, are VAT registered and can demonstrate that that they have the
capacity and capability to deliver the contracts in question (e.g. via
references and previous trading records). Any potential suppliers who could
benefit from support in becoming ‘fit to supply’ in this way are (if they are
based in London) encouraged to contact SME procurement support programme Supply
London (www.supplylondon.com) for free guidance and assistance.