Skip to content

Diversity and inclusion

Supplier diversity and inclusion

We’re committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in our supply chain

Home > About us > Diversity and inclusion > Supplier diversity and inclusion

At Standard Chartered, supplier diversity refers to a supply chain that incorporates businesses owned by under-represented individuals or groups – such as women and ethnic minorities, as well as micro and small businesses – and corporations who have strong diversity and inclusion profile, aligning to the principles set out in our standard.

Our aim is to create mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers from all walks of life reflecting the diverse communities and cultures we operate in.

Increasing our focus

Our increased focus on supplier diversity is because we recognise the critical role our suppliers play in serving our customers and creating wide reaching positive impacts across the communities we operate in.

The intrinsic relationships between the Bank, our suppliers, our customers and our communities is more and more important, so our overall purpose has to apply to our partners as well as us. 

Our strategy

Community and customer impacts

Working with diverse suppliers generates prosperity for local suppliers, driving positive economic and social impacts for communities and customers

Case study: A more diverse supplier list

A few years ago when we looked at the existing supplier landscape in Standard Chartered Malaysia, we realised there was a lack of diversity in our supplier base. Recognising this wasn’t right, we put a programme in place to change this.  A key success of this programme was that by the end of 2019 we increased the number of women owned businesses by 60%+.

Thanks to Standard Chartered’s long-standing support for female-owned and run companies like JCMS, our link has strengthened beyond a traditional supplier-customer relationship.

CEO, JCMS ProRewards

Innovative and unique capabilities

Diverse suppliers often bring unique innovations, technologies, products and services originating from their diverse perspectives and experiences

Case study: A company with diversity at its core

Korea recently onboarded a company with diversity at its core which is also able to provide numerous innovative and competitive benefits.

Diversity isn’t just something we promote, it’s who we are. I am proud that our suppliers represent a wide variety of minority segments, and that we are committed to providing as many opportunities as we can…

Yun Kyong Kim, Supply Chain Sourcing Manager Korea

Working with our partners

We work with partner organisations to accelerate our strategy

Case study: Partnering with diversity champions

We currently have five partnerships with organisations who champion supplier diversity. Our partners provide us with critical support regarding visibility of suppliers, education and networking opportunities. 

Together we are ensuring that we are able to identify diverse suppliers, collaborate, support and increase opportunities to work with diverse suppliers on a global level.

We are excited to work alongside Standard Chartered Bank, a corporate powerhouse, to help rebuild business for good through global supplier diversity and inclusion.

Elizabeth A. Vazquez, CEO of WEConnect international

What our leaders say

Our leaders are committed to supplier diversity

Supplier Diversity is a key pillar of our Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. It is essential that we have initiatives and targets to progress our internal D&I agenda, but it is also fundamental that we look more widely at the suppliers we do business with. Our business purpose is centered around giving back to the communities in which we operate, and by ensuring we have a diverse supply chain we can bring our purpose to life and have a far wider reaching impact. It is so important that diversity and inclusion run through all areas of our business.

Maria Angelica, Global Head, Diversity & Inclusion

We recognise that by working with diverse suppliers we will be contributing to driving more prosperous communities and positive social impacts as part of our aim to be ‘Here for good’.

Andrew Cannon Brookes, Global Head, Supply Chain

Diverse supplier support and development

We are committed to supporting diverse suppliers to help them succeed

Case study: Boosting women business owners

We recently ran a bootcamp (in conjunction with WeConnect) for two exciting days with women leaders in their capacities as small business owners from different sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Our partnerships