Sustainable procurement leader Ventia was recognised for its infrastructure partnerships with First Nations businesses at Supply Nation's flagship Connect 23 event in Sydney last week.
The Supplier Diversity Awards at the International Convention Centre on Gadigal Land recognise Indigenous individuals, organisations and companies that have helped create a prosperous, vibrant and sustainable Aboriginal business sector.
Infrastructure service provider Ventia picked up two gongs on the night, including the Dr Dean Jarrett Award for Outstanding Impact, and Corporate Member of the Year.
Dr Jarrett was a prolific academic and practioner, and proud Gumbaynggirr/Goreng Goreng/Punthamara man.
Ventia chief financial officer Stuart Hooper said the opportunity and responsibility to promote sustainable procurement across various supply chains was driven by equity.
"By prioritising inclusivity, fairness, and sustainability in our procurement practices, we have the ability to effect real positive change and address systemic inequalities," Mr Hooper said.
The procurement specialist's social sustainability manager Loes Westerbeek-Veld said social procurement was a big focus of the organisation.
"Whether it's delivering a specific service to our clients, or thinking about catering for an event ... we focus on ways we can embed social procurement practices in everything we do," Ms Westerbeek-Veld said.
Ventia increased its contracts with Supply Nation Indigenous businesses by 9 per cent last year, with the value of those increasing by 23%, a sign of the recent rise of the First Nations business sector.
Ventia: by the numbers
$83m - Procurement spend with Indigenous partners in 2021. A 52.8% bump from 2020.
23% increase to Supply Nation Indigenous businesses contracts in 2022
9% increase in total number of Supply Nation Indigenous business contracts
$102m - contracts with Indigenous businesses
More than 2,400 Indigenous businesses, corporate and government members and international delegates also attended Connect 23's Indigenous Business Tradeshow, which aimed to engage Aboriginal businesses with motivated buyers.
The theme for Connect 23 – Empowering Indigenous Futures – signified the political, social and economic changes that have led to improved outcomes for Indigenous people.
Supply Nation is a non-profit organisation specialising in supplier diversity, with a large database of verified First Nations businesses.
Read about the full list of winners here.
