I’m a big supporter of Minority Supplier Development UK – a Leicester based not-for-profit organisation that brings together ethnic minority businesses with corporations looking to diversify their supplier chain.

Black and minority ethnic businesses play a vital role in our economy. They must be backed and supported, so they can create the jobs and growth that our city and communities urgently need.

Through their hard work MSD has succeeded in encouraging many blue chip firms to be more inclusive in their supply chains and to proactively reach out to some of the most talented entrepreneurs from ethnic minority communities. I will continue to do all I can to support the important work MSD has been doing to promote the ethos of diversity and inclusion in our public sector and business world.