Ernst Young opens First Nations engagement office

Accountancy giants Ernst & Young has launched an Office of First Nations Engagement to support Indigenous affairs intelligence and cultural awareness for its clients across Australia.

The Office of First Nations Engagement will drive cultural intelligence and Indigenous affairs services for clients by working with existing Indigenous suppliers via Supply Nation and other Indigenous Chambers of Commerce throughout Australia.

Unlike other models of Indigenous affairs expertise, EY Australia is committed to actively working towards making an impact to Closing the Gap through economic empowerment, working with First Nations businesses, and meeting client requirements in collaboration with these enterprises.

Commenting on the move, EY Regional Managing Partner and CEO, Oceania, David Larocca said: “Australian businesses are increasingly focused on competitive advantage, which can be enhanced by innovate approaches to supplier diversity.

“By bringing innovative supply chain solutions to clients across the country – in partnership with First Nations businesses – we’re confident that we can drive greater opportunities, commercial advantage and economic empowerment in the community.”

The organisation has maintained an Indigenous affairs offering since 2015, in response to the growing need for First Nations businesses in supply chains as part of Reconciliation Action Plans.

“Our intent is to contribute to Closing the Gap through economic empowerment and independence. We will do so by meaningfully and commercially engaging with external First Nations businesses,” Office of First Nations Engagement Managing Partner Norman Laing said.

“We are not passive; we actively support First Nations businesses, share our success with them, and assist them in making inter-generational changes throughout the community.

“Traditionally under-represented businesses require opportunities to change entrenched organisational and commercial practices. By working with organisations like Supply Nation, we can accelerate these opportunities and support the economic empowerment of the First Nations business community.”

Since 2009, Supply Nation has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and procurement teams from the corporate, government and non-profit sectors, to help shape today’s rapidly growing Indigenous business sector.

Supply Nation CEO Kate Russell said by empowering Indigenous-owned and operated businesses to actively participate in commercial client engagements, Ernst Young Australia was proactively encouraging supplier diversity in procurement and supply chains.

“This encourages competition and adds value to the business.” she said.

“It is an innovative approach, as rather than simply hiring Indigenous talent to service clients, EY is empowering local entrepreneurship and supporting the broader economic impact of First Nations businesses which leads to greater prosperity for all.”

In addition to working with Supply Nation and other Indigenous Chambers of Commerce, EY Australia will focus on further expanding its network of First Nations suppliers.