DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
WHAT ’ S YOUR EXPERIENCE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN PROCUREMENT ?
SH : One of the things I love about procurement is the opportunity to meet different people from a wide range of organisations from across the world , so in that sense I think it ' s incredibly diverse . I think the way people arrive in the function , from a broad range of prior careers , also creates diversity . Companies are also increasingly thoughtful about creating diverse teams .
Ultimately , it ' s the companies within which the procurement function operates that influence the diversity of its teams the most . Diversity and inclusion are key organisational values at Aegon , both as an employer and as the custodian of investments . Those values are also reflected in our procurement function .
VB : After 10 years in the procurement profession , I have witnessed first-hand the value of more diverse and inclusive corporate procurement . Diverse and inclusive supply chains have huge potential to unlock innovative solutions and deliver a positive impact in operating markets . The procurement industry is getting there , slowly , but we must continue to deliver an inclusive culture and strategy .
MD : My personal experience has connected me with procurement professionals from all sorts of backgrounds . That said , I can see barriers in procurement that work against people from certain backgrounds . Take roles that require a degree . Gaining a degree is not something that everyone has the resources to pursue . It also applies to positions that are posted via channels that only a sub-segment of the population even sees . Business
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