Mitie, one of the UK’s leading facilities management and professional services companies, has been awarded the Procurement Excellence Programme certification by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) at standard level, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining a responsible, sustainable and professionally-managed supply chain. This is the most prestigious accreditation available from a global procurement professional body to procurement teams, with only around 350 companies in the world having achieved certification.

The CIPS Procurement Excellence Programme accreditation is an award given to businesses that have implemented comprehensive procurement policies and processes that meet international standards and best practice in five key areas. This includes leadership and organisation; strategy and policy; people; processes and systems; and performance management.

The recognition from CIPS follows Mitie’s two-year procurement transformation programme. As part of this programme to strengthen its supply chain, Mitie has introduced new company-wide processes for selecting, on-boarding and managing third party suppliers. These have been designed to ensure Mitie is operating procurement practices that are fair, reasonable, ethical and sustainable.

For example, Mitie has introduced a Supplier Management Framework (SMF) for its top 50 suppliers, requiring vendors to demonstrate that they meet specific standards. Suppliers must also prove that their practices align with Mitie’s Supplier Code of Conduct, as well as with anti-slavery and anti-corruption legislation. As part of Mitie’s Plan Zero commitment, suppliers that are taking efforts to minimise their environmental impact and with net zero commitments will also score higher marks in the selection process and during SMF assessments. Suppliers on the SMF undergo monthly reviews to ensure they continue to meet Mitie’s standards and to identify any potential supply issues ahead, helping both Mitie and the vendor prepare in advance for a stable supply.

Mitie’s supply chain transformation has also included a commitment to increase its spend with SMEs from 29% to 33% by the end of FY24/25. In order to achieve this, Mitie has put in place initiatives that support SMEs and level the playing field between small and large suppliers. This includes issuing more regional tenders, with smaller contract values that are more suitable for SMEs, advertising new opportunities more widely, including the use of LinkedIn, and offering training on how to complete bid responses, to encourage more SMEs to enter Mitie’s supply chain. Mitie has also signed-up to Social Enterprise UK’s (SEUK) ‘Buy Social Corporate Challenge’ to increase the amount it spends with voluntary, charitable and social enterprises (VCSEs).

Steve Evans, Head of Group Procurement, Mitie, said:

“We’re very proud to have our progress in transforming Mitie’s procurement recognised by CIPS. Receiving their prestigious Procurement Excellence Programme certification is yet another reassurance for our customers that Mitie is committed to being a responsible business and managing its supply chain professionally and ethically. To have achieved this recognition against the backdrop of Coronavirus, and the unprecedented challenges it has brought to the procurement sector, makes this achievement even more special. I’d like to thank all colleagues who have supported Mitie’s procurement transformation.”

CIPS Assessors said:

“Mitie have worked incredibly hard to achieve this standard of excellence and they have our congratulations.

“They have demonstrated a commitment to improve at all levels in each part of the programme and have left no stone unturned to make changes. They are a leading example of how to recognise the importance of procurement excellence.”

Notes to editors

Founded in 1987, Mitie is one of the UK’s leading facilities management and professional services companies. It offers a range of services including Technical Services (Engineering Services, Energy, Water and Real Estate Services), Business Services (Security, Cleaning and Office Services) and Specialist Services (Care & Custody, Landscapes and Waste Management).

Mitie employs 47,500 people across the country, looking after a large, diverse, blue-chip customer base, from banks and retailers, to hospitals, schools and critical government strategic assets. It takes care of its customers’ people and buildings, by delivering the basics brilliantly and by deploying advanced technology. It is pioneering the Connected Workspace, using smart analytics to provide valuable insight and deliver efficiencies to create outstanding work environments for customers.

Find out more at www.mitie.com.