Washington, D.C., October 17, 2019 — WEConnect International is excited to announce Randstad N.V. as its first Dutch-based corporate member. The partnership indicates the acceleration of diverse procurement initiatives outside of the U.S. and strengthens Randstad’s commitment to promoting supplier diversity and economic inclusion in the global value chain.
As a preferred HR services partner for many of the world’s largest multinational corporations, Randstad has seen a shift in expectations from clients in regard to supplier diversity in recent years. Customers not only expect Randstad to be a diverse and inclusive organization internally, but also in their teaming partners and subcontractors.
“Companies now recognize the impact that supplier diversity initiatives have on their brand, as well as on international growth opportunities,” explains Audra Jenkins, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. “Our suppliers make an important contribution to the quality of our services,” she added. On a global scale, Randstad reports around 10% of the company’s cost base consists of supplier spending.
Furthermore, it has become clear in recent years that supplier diversity and inclusion initiatives must be customized to the regions in which they are activated. Randstad, which operates in 38 markets, is now able to tap into the WEConnect International database of women-owned businesses in Europe to support clients all over the world in meeting their gender-inclusive sourcing goals and to promote greater prosperity for women and economies as a whole.
As a large employer and an organization that others look to for hiring and workplace standards, the company recognizes their responsibility in shaping the world of work and cultivating diversity and inclusion.
“WEConnect International’s mission to empower growth-oriented women-owned businesses with the critical connections, skills, and knowledge needed to successfully access capital, scale their enterprises, and improve their local communities and economies is very much aligned with Randstad’s commitment to contribute to economic growth for society as a whole,” says Jacques van den Broek, CEO and Chair of the Executive Board. “We have an ambitious goal to touch the work lives of 500 million people worldwide by 2030, and meaningful partnerships like this are integral to our ability to achieve this.”
