Go-Ahead recognises one of the world’s largest social enterprises with Supplier Sustainability Award

The Cordant Group provides bus cleaning, shunting and refuelling services for Go-Ahead, and became one of the largest for-profit organisations to transition to a social enterprise model in September 2017.

It is a family-owned business that places social purpose ahead of profit, and operates a £3m profit cap, beyond which all further proceeds go to charitable causes.

Cordant was praised by the judges for its exceptionally structured staff initiatives, which concentrate on creating rewarding roles which offer personal growth and mentorship.

Working in collaboration with sustainable suppliers such as Cordant allows Go-Ahead to ensure a sustainable transport service at every level.

The Awards build on Go-Ahead’s commitment to sustainability within its supply chain and come after the business launched an industry-first sustainable procurement charter in the UK. The charter entrenches best-practice principles across its business, covering topics such as diversity, inclusivity and income fairness.

It represents a new standard of supply chain transparency and was created with the input of experts and industry bodies from 40 countries.

Cordant was recognised by the judges for their exceptionally structured initiatives, which concentrate on rewarding jobs, fair earnings, personal growth and mentorship.

Go-Ahead’s interim Chief Financial Officer Elodie Brian said: “Go-Ahead and Cordant have been partners for more than a decade, building a strong relationship based on mutual values of delivering for the community.

 “The very foundation of our business is about sustainable action; providing high quality public transportation and travel routes to reduce the number of cars on the roads. But it has always been our mission as a business to go beyond this and over the past year Go-Ahead has taken great steps in advancing our sustainable influence through the implementation of an industry-first all-encompassing Sustainable Procurement Charter.

“Aligning our own sustainable goals with the companies throughout our supply chain enables us to lead the industry in holistic sustainable action.”

Collecting the award, Cordant Group’s Managing Director Guy Pakenham said: “The Cordant Group has been committed to developing supply chain practices that go above expected standards – to blend the sustainable needs of the environment with those of our people.

“Receiving this recognition from Go-Ahead with the Supplier Sustainability Award is an honour; we are committed to continually improving supply chain practices and are thankful to work with a business that shares these priorities.”

Sustainable supplier awards part of Go-Ahead’s Responsible Business in Action

Go-Ahead has kicked off Responsible Business in Action, a campaign that celebrates the positive contribution that business make to society, with the announcement of its Sustainable Supplier Award.

Go-Ahead companies across the UK are hosting engagement events and participating in social media campaigns to showcase their contribution within their local communities.

Events include:

• Climate Change workshops to understand its financial, operational and reputation impact
• Sustainable travel, fitness and mental wellbeing campaign
• Diversity campaigns to encourage more female bus drivers

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