Mite launches new Sustainability and Social Value Supplier Charter

Mitie has launched a pioneering supplier charter to strengthen sustainability and social impact.

Mitie’s new Sustainability and Social Value Charter provides suppliers with the tools to help create and deliver positive impact for people and places, while embedding sustainability within organisations. The initiative is a first of its kind within the facilities management sector, setting out a clear framework for Mitie’s supply chain which outlines benchmarks and practical steps suppliers can take to strengthen their social impact, support local communities and integrate sustainability into day-to-day operations.

Building on the foundations of Mitie’s existing Social Value and Suppliers Policy, the Charter directly supports Mitie’s Plan Thrive ambitions to uplift one million lives and enable 1,000 places to prosper by 2030. It is underpinned by five core principles:

• Climate Action and Environmental Responsibility
• Inclusive Employment and Skills Development
• Community Engagement and Place-Based Impact
• Ethical Business Practices
• Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

Mitie will support suppliers to identify realistic actions to move beyond compliance and work towards the Charter’s ambitions, helping organisations strengthen their social value and sustainability performance over time towards industry-leading practices. A Gold-Level rating will recognise organisations that demonstrate exemplary commitment to sustainability by achieving carbon reduction targets, reporting Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions through recognised platforms and maintaining ESG scores that exceed industry benchmarks. It will also recognise the adoption of the Real Living Wage, embedding inclusive recruitment practices that open opportunities for underrepresented groups and enabling sustained participation in local community initiatives.

Mitie will provide suppliers with the tools and guidance needed to enhance and report their performance. Suppliers will be supported through Mitie’s relationship with Social Enterprise UK, Thrive Platform and the Supply Chain Sustainability School to bring organisations together to share and learn best practice, build capability and drive continuous improvement. Through targeted learning pathways, practical workshops and interactive webinars, suppliers can build capability in sustainable procurement and social value delivery. This collaborative learning is reinforced through supplier summits, roundtables and best-practice forums, encouraging peer learning, open dialogue and long-term partnership across the supply chain. Together, the Charter and its Gold‑Level standard seek to recognise and more visibly promote the positive contribution suppliers make to society and the environment.

Helen Longfils, Group Director, Social Value, Mitie, said: “The Launch of our Sustainability and Social Value Charter marks an important step in building more collaborative relationships with our suppliers and scaling up our social impact. By setting out clear guidelines, holding one another accountable and working collaboratively, we can share knowledge and develop solutions that drive meaningful action, helping to uplift communities, protect the environment and create better places and thriving communities for the people and organisations we serve.”

The Charter’s principles are designed for suppliers of all sizes, from sole traders and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), and large national organisations. The Charter and the support provided will be reviewed and updated annually to reflect evolving best practices and priorities.