We’re excited to be partnering with MSDUK, the UK’s leading supplier diversity organisation, to support ethnic minority owned SMEs (small and medium sized businesses) to be a force for good through a pioneering programme, Minority Business Matters.
We’ve received £1,018,856.56 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for Minority Business Matters. It will support ethnic minority owned SMEs and freelancers across the London to have a positive impact on people, places and the planet over the next two years.
The programme will draw on our 20+ years’ experience of helping SMEs with responsible and sustainable business and MSDUK’s expertise in improving ethnic diversity in supply chains. Ethnic minority SME business owners will join together to connect with experts in all areas of sustainable and responsible business, including net zero, mental health and wellbeing, volunteering and diversity, equity and inclusion – and this will support them to be supplier-ready.
Less than 1% of corporate spending going to ethnic minority suppliers, so we wanted to join forces with MSDUK to see this number increase. We’ve seen the SMEs we’ve worked with previously win new business through the sustainable initiatives they’ve introduced as a result of our Foundations for Responsible Business programme. Through Minority Business Matters, we’re both excited to help ethnic minority SMEs to succeed through responsible business, and to help bigger businesses increase their supplier diversity.
Our director, Maggie Berry OBE, said: “We’re excited at Heart of the City to be working with MSDUK to support London’s ethnic minority owned SMEs. We’ve been helping SMEs do well by doing good for over 20 years and we’re looking forward to increasing our impact across London through Minority Business Matters. This programme will highlight the importance of small businesses succeeding in selling their products and services in B2B and B2C spaces, and the importance of bigger businesses investing in a diverse supply chain – fuelling economic growth through responsible business.”
Mayank Shah, founder and CEO at MSDUK, said: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Heart of the City on the Minority Business Matters project. As MSDUK’s CEO & founder, I take immense pride in our 17-year journey championing Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs). Through networking events and programmes, we’ve connected EMBs with corporations, fostering growth and inclusivity. This partnership, supported by the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, will equip London’s EMBs with tools to not only become supply chain ready but also embed sustainability into their business, giving them competitive advantage. We firmly believe that by empowering EMBs, we drive business success and create a more equitable and prosperous future for all.”
Go to the Minority Business Matters website for more information and to find out how to get involved.
