A supplier is considered diverse when 51% or more is owned and operated by an individual or group that is part of a traditionally underrepresented or under-served group. These groups include business owned by people from ethnic minorities, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community, those with disabilities, and those who are neurodivergent.

Jon Willescroft, Procurement Director for the G4S International businesses, said “At G4S we are committed to supporting diverse suppliers. The benefits of a diverse supply chain are clear; our suppliers play a critical role in helping us run a successful business, delivering excellent service to our customers. Greater diversity of suppliers brings a richness of thoughts, ideas and innovation. It’s also critical that our business reflects and supports the societies in which we operate, including often more marginalised, diverse communities”.

To achieve this in the UK, G4S is embedding the following practices across its business:

• Measured use of diverse suppliers - Through a sustainability technology platform (Integrity Next) G4S is tracking its spend with diverse suppliers, allowing it to measure and set targets for the future.

• Identify and provide opportunities to new diverse suppliers - through partnerships with Kaleida and MSDUK, G4S will invite more diverse suppliers to bid for work

• Training and awareness - promote the benefits of using diverse suppliers to its procurement teams and wider business

G4S is committed to making supplier diversity a business priority and before the end of this year it will:

• Host updates for business leaders on the supplier diversity programme

• Deliver training to the procurement team on supplier diversity and partnerships with MSDUK and Kaleida

• Set out its 3-year supplier diversity and inclusion objectives

From 2023, G4S has also confirmed it will be expanding its supplier diversity programme beyond the UK and into other key markets.