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UK - Gibbs S3 given corporate status by Minority Supplier Diversity UK (MSDUK)

30 July 2015

As international blue chip brands increasingly look towards minority-owned suppliers able to provide greater value, Gibbs S3 has achieved a corporate first in diversity. It has become the only corporate-level business to be officially certified as an EMB (Ethnic Minority Controlled Business) by MSDUK, the country’s leading non-profit membership organisation driving inclusive procurement.

The certification comes as Gibbs S3 celebrates record growth in its 10th year of business, with revenue growing 38% per cent to reach £41.58 million, and on track to hit £46 million this year. The company has also previously been certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) by WEConnect, the leading global supplier diversity initiative connecting women-owned businesses with multinational corporations.

Minority-owned businesses have established a clear track record in providing stronger value to their customers. Companies with established supplier diversity programmes that include SMEs and EMBs generate 133% better return on their buying operations, according to research from leading strategic consultant The Hackett Group. Companies working with smaller and more diverse suppliers were also found to spend 20% less on their buying operations and secure significantly greater value.

Headquartered in Surrey, UK, Gibbs S3 provides hybrid IT consulting and staffing solutions to blue chip brands across sectors including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods and financial services.

Gibbs S3 Founder and CEO Farida Gibbs has attracted an accolade of prestigious awards, recently being  voted as one of the Top 30 Most Inspirational Women Entrepreneurs in the City of London by Brummel Magazine and being named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2012.

She comments: “International blue chip brands are starting to recognise the growing importance of having minority-owned businesses as an essential part of their supply chain because of their ability to provide a higher level of innovation and agility to problem solving.”

“In these tough market conditions, companies want to work with EMBs like Gibbs S3 who offer more support and flexibility in terms of the way they collaborate with customers. This creates a stronger value proposition that can help businesses survive, thrive and grow. Providing a nimble, customer-centric service is at the heart of our business, and we created our combined approach to workforce management as a direct response to the challenges faced by our corporate client base. Our unique bespoke approach secured a record 38 per cent growth last year alone.”

“Despite the growing trend however, women and minority-owned suppliers are still underrepresented, especially in fields like technology and engineering. We are absolutely delighted to be the first corporate-level company officially certified as an EMB by MSDUK, and with the increasing demand for minority-owned suppliers I hope many other companies will be joining us soon.”

Mayank Shah, MSDUK Founder and CEO, comments: “We at MSDUK are thrilled to welcome Gibbs S3 both in the capacity of a Certified Ethnic Minority Business as well as a corporate member, which is testimony to the growth of ethnic minority businesses in the UK.”