Transport for London
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 23
Transport for London
BAMEs
A BAME business is one that is owned, by 51 % or more, by one or more Black, Asian or Minority ethnic groups. Minority ethnic groups are people who come from ethnic groups other than‘ White British’.
These groups include the following:
• White ethnic groups include: Irish and any other white background origins.
• Mixed ethnic groups include: White & Black Caribbean, White & Black African, White & Asian and any other mixed background
• Asian or Asian British groups include: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and any other Asian background
• Black or Black British groups include: Caribbean, African and any other Black background
• Chinese or other Ethnic group include: Chinese and any other Ethnic Groups
Under – represented groups
Under – represented groups are part of TfL’ s definition, and include suppliers from protected groups for which either protection is provided by anti – discriminatory legislation [ such as Disability Discrimination Act( DDA 1995) and Sex Discrimination Act( SDA 1975 & 1996 ] and / or any diverse groups are not already covered by the other sub – groups.
These groups include:
• Women
• Disabled people
• Lesbians, Gay men, Bisexual and Transgender( LGBT) people and;
• Older people( aged 60 or over) and younger people( aged 24 or under)
Supplier with a diverse workforce composition
TfL has existing contractual relationships with many large suppliers. As most of these contracts are long – term in nature, TfL’ s needs to include these suppliers in the supplier diversity programme. Therefore, TfL has included the fourth sub – group in the definition of diverse suppliers, being diverse workforce composition.
A diverse workforce composition comprises of full time equivalent employees who may be from one or more BAME, an under – represented group or a protected group as previously mentioned.
TfL is committed to promoting a diverse workforce composition and as part of its duty to comply with Race Relations Amendment Act( RRA Amendment 2000) it as such monitors the number of employees from diverse groups.
How the definitions are being used
TfL’ s diverse supplier definitions are available on TfL’ s website. They are also being sent out with tender documents where diversity is a relevant requirement.
Most recent examples are the ca. £ 1 billion East London Line contract and the ca. £ 1.4 billion Street Management and Maintenance contract.
The definitions are also being used throughout TfL’ s business operations to ensure consistency in terminology when referring to a diverse supplier. The definitions form the basis for alignment in the measurement of diverse suppliers and TfL monitors the number of diverse suppliers being incorporated into its supply chain.
TfL has shared its definitions with government bodies such as the London Development Agency, Greater London Authority, Metropolitan Police Authority the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority( LFEPA) and Job Centre Plus( JCP). JCP has also incorporated TfL’ s‘ diverse supplier’ definitions into their own procurement process.
Companies in the private sector including financial & professional services, and oil & gas have also benefited from TfL’ s approach, to defining diverse suppliers.
The broad and inclusive Diverse Supplier definition, is setting a new standard and is extending beyond the traditional boundaries.
“ My vision is to change the vocabulary within the UK” says Rasheed.“ So remember it’ s diverse suppliers from now...”.