CBRE becomes a Founding Corporate Partner to OutBritain, the UK’s First LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce

CBRE has expanded its inclusive supply chain by becoming a Founding Corporate Partner to OutBritain, the UK’s first LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Connecting with certified diverse suppliers is integral to CBRE’s Supplier Diversity Program and to achieving its goal of spending at least $3 billion with diverse suppliers by 2025.

The first LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, and independent certification body, OutBritain is the only existing UK organisation that verifies eligible businesses are majority owned (51 per cent or more) by LGBTQ individuals and can grant certified LGBT Business Enterprise status. As such, this partnership will play a critical role in connecting CBRE with the UK’s vast community of LGBTQ-owned businesses.

“OutBritain is here to support the LGBTQ+ Business Community at every stage of their journey,” said OutBritan Co-Founder, Matt Dabrowski.

“Working with major corporations such as CBRE ensures their commitment to diversity among their suppliers and we are here to deliver opportunity, innovation, and most importantly education around these goals. In the last three years, we have identified over 1,000 LGBTQ+ owned businesses and we are connecting them to incredible opportunities which simply weren’t available a decade ago.”

In addition to OutBritain, CBRE partners with leading advocacy groups: MSDUK, SEUK, VOUK and WEConnect International to continuously expand its supplier network to new diverse businesses.

Gemma Lindley, Supplier Engagement Director for CBRE Global Workplace Soltuions and James Lloyd, Procurement Director for CBRE UK Advisory, jointly commented:

“We’re pleased to partner with organisations like OutBritain who connect us with diverse businesses which we can mentor, develop and integrate into the provisioning of products and services for CBRE and our clients. OutBritain provides a specialist community and platform for LGBTQ-owned businesses which otherwise would not exist.

“We’re excited to work with OutBritain to provide high quality services to our clients while delivering social impact and aiding our clients in their supplier diversity journeys.”