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MEET THE BUYER FINDS CAPITAL APPROVAL
Over 100 ethnic minority business owners from across London and the south east gathered at the Institute of Directors to network and do business with some of the world’s leading blue chip companies.
In the latest of a series of hugely successful ‘Meet The Buyer’ procurement events organised by MSDUK ethnic minority suppliers had the chance to take part in one-to-one briefings with corporate buyers from global players such as JP Morgan, Aramark, GW Professional, Tyco, Capital One and Exxon Mobil.
Those attending also heard details of the recently launched MSDUK Certification of Ethnic Minority Businesses and were advised how to make the most of Intellectual Property by Denise Nurse, director/commercial legal advisor of Halebury.
Outlining the importance of protecting your IP from the outset and recognising its true value, she explained the steps and processes that MSDUK members must take in an area that is overlooked.
Throughout the presentation the value of working closely with strong advisors who can simplify and carefully manage a business through the potential pitfalls of examining their IP was shown. Also covered was the business boosting aspect of IP in the form of licensing agreements that can be used carefully to speed-up expansion plans and help build a firms global reputation.
Clearly appreciative of the information received, Bilal Hussain, managing director of Luton-based providers of bespoke corporate clothing and merchandise, Alvastone, was typical of the suppliers attending the event said: “I’ve been to numerous networking events and never found them particularly useful. MSDUK’s event was refreshingly different and the one-to-one meetings were incredibly interesting, giving me a unique opportunity to talk about my business and find out more about corporate procurement.” 
A key component of the event was also the explanation of the recently launched MSDUK Certification of Ethnic Minority Businesses. Established to protect MSDUK members it is designed to deter minority ‘front’ companies looking to take advantage of the strong benefits that working with MSDUK provides.
Combining the submission and examination of key paperwork along with a site visit the rigorous checks are designed to ensure that only businesses that are truly 51% owned, operated and controlled by persons from ethnic minority groups who are also British nationals.
The benefits of becoming a full-certified member are clear to both corporate and supplier members. From the corporate perspective the certification enhances a supplier diversity programme by guaranteeing that only ‘bonafide’ businesses are participating. A supplier member will gain extra exposure to corporate members who have a statutory need for certified organisations.
This added initiative was warmly received by those attending including, Reza Choudhury, managing director of chauffeur service company, Reliance Worldwide, added: “The event has benefited me immensely. As a new supplier to MSDUK, I feel very excited about the opportunities forthcoming events will present. To actually have the chance to meet decision makers from such large corporates is priceless – I would certainly urge other minority owned businesses to get on board with MSDUK.”
MSDUK has organised nine ‘Meet the Buyer’ events in the last 18 months, attracting over 400 ethnic minority businesses and 100 corporate buyers to meet and discuss business opportunities worth nearly £9m.
The next Meet the Buyer event will be held on the 27th of November in the midlands. For more information please contact Louise McHale louise@msduk.org.uk.
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NEW SUPPLIERS SIGN UP
A number of leading suppliers have recently registered with MSDUK and are already working towards meeting the needs of corporate members and taking advantage of the opportunities on offer.
Further expanding the diverse sectors represented amongst the membership the new firms include:
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Kavis sell products for food preparation, food presentation and packaging, and fresh hygiene solutions
www.kavis.co.uk |
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Focused on retail and online sales of consumer electrical goods including TV, audio, video, computers, laptops, digital products and domestic home appliances.
www.empiredirect.co.uk |
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Klassic Maintenance offer office, school, residential, retail, window, carpet, stone, hard floor cleaning and/or maintenance.
www.klassicmaintenance.co.uk |
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The main activity of the firm is providing temporary traffic signals and equipment along with the full provision of traffic management services. Amber-RTM also provides event signing, design and CAD services as well as training and assessment for Sector Scheme 12, SLG Health & Safety and first aid.
www.amber-rtm.co.uk |
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MEET THE BUYER: JULIE ATTWOOD, CAPITAL ONE
What is your role and what are your responsibilities at Capital One?
I am a Procurement Manager within Capital One's UK Procurement Team. I have responsibility for sourcing, selection and contracting for Capital Ones' Data, Brand & Marketing areas as well as being the UK's Supplier Diversity champion.
How and when did Capital One first get to hear about MSDUK?
Capital One has worked with Mayank and Supplier Development East Midlands since October 2005. I attended one of the joint events run by Capital One in my role as Procurement Manager. I really enjoyed the event and saw great benefit in the work that the group were doing. When the opportunity came up within Capital One to champion Supplier Diversity I was pleased to volunteer.
Why is MSDUK membership important to Capital One?
Supplier Diversity is a key element in a co-ordinated Corporate & Social Responsibility agenda at Capital One in the UK and US. It's about putting our differences to work to add value to the business and working closely with MSDUK can help us achieve this.
What benefits does membership bring to the organisation?
Membership provides Captial One with access to a large portfolio of suppliers that we otherwise might not realise were out there. The "Meet the Buyer" days are an excellent way for both Capital One and the suppliers to get to know more about each other and review possible opportunities to work together. The working groups enable organisations to work as a team to provide guidance to the MSDUK supplier network to ensure they are properly equipped with the right tools to help them improve their tendering success rate and ongoing performance.
How has MSDUK membership helped Capital One develop and enhance diversity in the business?
Membership has helped Capital One raise the profile of supplier diversity internally along with giving us access to suppliers who can also support our diversity programme.
We are currently working with a supplier on the MSDUK approved list who are looking at ways to help us understand in more detail just how diverse our current portfolio of suppliers is.
How important is the issue of supplier diversity to Capital One?
Ensuring that we have a reponsible approach to the way in which we do buiness is essential. Although Supplier Diversity measurement is not currently mandatory in the UK, it is an area we believe warrants continued investment.
How would you like to see other companies behaving when it comes to supplier diversity?
Wider company involvement can help both the corporate members and the suppliers, adding increased diversity to the programme.
Are things becoming easier or harder for ethnic minority businesses?
Things are gradually becoming easier for ethnic minority businesses. MSDUK has provided them with access to many large organisations that they might not have had access to in the past. They are also now armed with the tools and techniques required to enter into tender processes, negotiations and ongoing contract management thanks to the seminars and presentations run by MSDUK.
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LINKLATERS, MERCK & KPMG JOIN MSDUK RANKS
Three incredibly influential businesses have committed to Supplier Diversity and become members of MSDUK.
Merck, one of the world’s foremost pharmaceutical companies has committed substantial investment in research and manufacturing in the UK because of the unrivalled scientific excellence and skills base available here. It has two sites in the UK: headquarters and pharmaceutical research and development laboratories in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire; and manufacturing at Cramlington in Northumberland.
Joining Merck as a corporate member is leading international law firm Linklaters. Linklaters' development has always been in response to the commercial needs of its clients - major corporations, banks, financial institutions and governments. As the City of London has become increasingly important to these organisations, so has the firm expanded its London capabilities to cater for their needs.
As a leading provider of professional services including audit, tax, financial and risk advisory, the membership of KPMG is a further coup. In the UK the firm has over 10,000 partners and staff working across 22 offices and is part of a strong global network of member firms.
Mayank Shah, Director of MSDUK welcomed the firms to the organisation:
“It’s brilliant to have three firms of this stature join us and be so determined to help drive the whole organisation forward.
“Over the course of the two years we’ve been active MSDUK has earned a strong track record of matching some of the world’s brightest companies with new suppliers that are able to meet all of their demands in a fresh and exciting way.”
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MEET THE TEAM: MALVIKA PATEL
In the last issue of Minority Report, we met Louise McHale, Events Co-ordinator & Elsa  Caleb, Supplier Relationship Manager for MSDUK. This time, it’s the turn of Administrator, Malvika Patel. Malvika joined MSDUK in February and currently lives in Leicester with her parents.
Malvika, what was your first job?
After I graduated from Leeds University, I worked in the lending department for Alliance and Leicester.
When did you first hear about MSDUK?
I first heard about MSDUK when a recruitment agency contacted me for a temporary job to help during the Business Opportunity Fair
What is the biggest challenge facing MSDUK today?
Due to the current economic crisis businesses are making cut backs. A challenge for MSDUK is to make sure that we demonstrate the value diverse businesses can add to the supply chains of both existing and potential members, especially in these difficult times.
Who would be your top three guests for a dinner party?
The first would have to be Gandhi. He was and still is an inspirational person in the eyes of many, including mine, and I would like to understand what motivated him to change the lives of millions of people. Then to lighten the mood the Indian-Canadian comedian Russell Peters, he has me in stitches. Finally, Jamie Oliver so I could get a few tips on cooking and a lot of help with dinner!
What was the last book you read?
Goblet of Fire by J.K Rowling
Last but not least, who’s been the biggest inspiration in your own life?
I would have to say my dad. He came to this country with nothing and with his determination and hard work he built a successful business in order to give us a good start in life.
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FIRST AWARDS REACH GLITTERING CONCLUSION
‘Entrepreneurial flair’ was the core theme of the inaugural MSDUK Awards as top executives from companies such as PepsiCo, BT and JP Morgan joined MPs and community business leaders to recognise the outstanding achievements of Britain’s leading ethnic minority owned businesses.
The efforts of many were highlighted but on the night five companies took home one of the much coveted awards.
Held in central London at the Hilton Waldorf and hosted by BBC foreign correspondent Navdip Dhariwal, the 250 guests gathered to hear from speakers including Garry Clancy, commercial director, PepsiCo UK and Ireland, Leciester East MP Keith Vaz and Sonita Alleyne OBE, chief executive, Something Else.
The MSDUK Awards were presented in the following categories:
• Corporation of the Year: Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Supplier of the Year - Open Category: Pumasource
• Supplier of the Year - HR, Recruitment and Training: Canary Wharf and City
• Supplier of the Year - Print, Media and Marketing: Star Direct
• Special Appreciation Award: East Midlands Development Agency
Ian Harrison, who represented East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) and collected the Special Appreciation Award on behalf of the organisation said:
“We were delighted to receive the award as it represents the acknowledgement of the energy the whole organisation has put into the issue of Supplier Diversity and the opportunities it presents to companies both in the East Midlands and nationally.”
In addition, Daryl Scales, head of finance UK & Ireland, Enterprise Rent-a-Car said:
"Winning the MSDUK Corporation of the Year Award really demonstrates that the approach we take to developing a diverse supply chain is making a difference. Enterprise's approach is not simply about giving minority suppliers the opportunity to pitch for our business.
 “Our programme focuses on identifying great minority suppliers that bring a commercial advantage to our own business, be that via direct cost savings, efficiencies or improved service. This process is simplified with the MSDUK platform as it provides access to a strong pool of minority suppliers that can offer such an advantage. However, winning this award is a reflection of the commitment Enterprise is making to ensure that all suppliers are provided with a fair opportunity."
Following the event many guests were keen to express their admiration not only for the winners but for the event as a whole. The evening was a huge success and many singled out the specialist organisers, Tania Tapel for praise.
Further details of the awards can be found at www.msduk.org.uk/Pages/TopStory.aspx
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