Compass Group recognised for support of Indigenous suppliers

Leading food and support services company the Compass Group (Australia), has been named Corporate Member of the Year at the 2014 Supply Nation Awards.

Supply Nation, formerly known as AIMSC (the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council) is Australia’s premier business-to-business membership body dedicated to growing diversity within the supply chain. Supply Nation’s goal is to connect Australian corporate and government organisations with Indigenous business suppliers who are already achieving success or have the potential to develop into vibrant, vital businesses. The annual Awards recognise companies who have shown supplier diversity leadership and advocacy, and engaged in supplier development activity.

Compass Group’s Managing Director Mark van Dyck said the company was honoured to be recognised by Supply Nation and proud to be part of a body enabling small to medium Indigenous businesses to have the opportunity to be integrated into the supply chains of Australian companies and government agencies.

Calling on business and governments to double their efforts in partnering with Indigenous suppliers, van Dyck stated “our commitment to supplier diversity and Indigenous engagement is core to our business.

“We believe there is tremendous untapped potential for companies and government to realise the benefit of creating partnerships with the strong and vibrant Indigenous supplier community.

“These need to be true partnerships that provide opportunities for everyone involved and we are proud to support the continued success of our partners and others seeking to build their businesses as well as employment opportunities.”

Compass Group, which operates 10 sector brands across Australia, has a dedicated three pronged Indigenous strategy including directly employing Indigenous Australians, being actively involved in Indigenous business engagement including our Joint Venture partnerships that benefit Aboriginal communities, and supporting locally based initiatives to help build stronger and healthier communities.

Since becoming a founding member of Supply Nation in 2009, Compass Group has engaged the services of more than 25 Indigenous suppliers, ranging from consumer product producer CorporateConnect.AB to florist Ivy & Rose to cleaning company Pacific Cleaning.

In 2013 this commitment resulted in Compass Group purchasing more than $1.8 million worth of goods and services from Indigenous suppliers.

Compass Group’s Indigenous strategy has also seen it establish 11 Joint Venture companies with Indigenous organisations, giving communities an opportunity to acquire a share in a number of Compass Group’s major contracts by providing services such as cleaning, waste management and food and catering services. Compass Group’s operating Joint Ventures generate combined annual revenue in excess of $250 million, providing vital dividends for local Indigenous communities. The company also aims to increase the economic participation of the Aboriginal community via direct employment with more than 480 Indigenous Australians employed within its operations around the country, making up 4.5% of Compass Group’s workforce compared to 2.5% of Australia’s population.

Compass Group has been recognised previously by Supply Nation for its work in supporting and promoting supplier diversity by being awarded the Supplier Diversity Advocate Award at the 2012 Supply Nation Awards.

These wins follow Compass Group being awarded the prestigious George Mure Memorial Professional Development Award for its Aboriginal Workforce Development Project at the 2013 Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering HostPlus Awards for Excellence.

For more information visit the Compass Group website at www.compass-group.com.au

Click here for more information on Supply Nation.