Christian Businesswoman To Host Conference Encouraging Corporates To Use Services Of Micro, Ethnic And Diverse Businesses

In a groundbreaking move to champion micro, diverse businesses and bridge the gap with corporates, Christian businesswoman Michelle Raymond is gearing up to host the first ever Diverse Business Summit (DBS), London 2023.

Taking place on November 10 at 155 Bishopsgate, London, the DBS will seek to raise the visibility of often marginalized businesses and foster a new era of collaboration and empowerment between business owners and corporate organisations.

Michelle, is founder of the Peoples Partner, a leadership and coaching consultancy specialising in building a diverse and inclusive leadership and supplier pipeline in order to reduce organisational risk. She said, “As a small business owner, I have recognised the challenges fellow owners have experienced getting contracts in the corporate space. Getting these type of contracts can make the difference between success and failure for some businesses. I have been blessed in being able to work for corporates and felt it would be good to put on a conference providing business owners like myself with opportunities to meet and connect with corporate organisations and discover what it takes to work with them.”

Michelle has encouraged some major brands to attend DBS including Meta (formerly known as Facebook), JCDecaux, Ernst and Young. DBS will be sponsored by the UK’s largest bank, Lloyds Banking Group. 

DBS will be hosted by Channel 4’s Financial Advisor, Emmanuel Asuquo and the Fireside chat led by BBC1’s Apprentice winner, Tim Campbell MBE and Social Enterprise Expert, Claudine Reid MBE. Other attendees include representatives from HMPSS, UCL and Channel 4.

The Diverse Business Summit is uniquely positioned to cater to grass roots businesses, micro enterprises, ethnic minority-owned ventures, and freelancers. Attendees will learn alternative approaches to securing contracts, bypassing traditional tendering processes. They will also be equipped with the knowledge and tools required for successful engagement with the diverse supplier pipeline and commercialization strategies.

Though happening in November, The Diverse Business Summit coincides with Black History Month and National Inclusion Week in October. This strategic alignment underscores the commitment to driving diversity, inclusion, and equity in the business landscape. Notably, leading companies have pledged over $50 billion to collaborate with minority and women-owned businesses over the next decade, further emphasizing the timeliness and importance of this summit.

Michelle said:

Diverse business owners are the perfect solution to the ESG and sustainable needs of corporates but we don’t have access or visibility. My aim through this event is to raise the visibility, market readiness and social mobility of diverse businesses in the UK, especially, so that they can effectively sell their services and products to corporate organisations.