MEDIA RELEASE 17 NOVEMBER

Last night Corporate Express celebrated the launch of its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), detailing how the company plans to contribute towards reconciliation.

Hosted at the company’s Mascot head office, Paul Hitchcock, CEO of Corporate Express talked about Corporate Express’ vision for reconciliation, the RAP journey so far, and some of the key initiatives within the RAP itself.  The event also included a performance from students of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Waterloo’s Leadership for Reconciliation Program, remarks from Reconciliation Australia Board Member Melinda Celinto, and the unveiling of a specially commissioned Indigenous artwork that tells the Corporate Express reconciliation story developed by Gilimbaa, an AIMSC Certified Indigenous creative agency.

Jennifer Levasseur, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Corporate Express said: “The launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan is a key milestone for Corporate Express’ Indigenous Support Program. Our RAP not only outlines our approach to reconciliation, but provides an overview of how we’ve developed our program and our targets for 2011 in the areas of relationships, respect and opportunities.”

One of the unique pieces of Corporate Express’ RAP includes the company’s commitment to supplier diversity – supporting Indigenous-owned businesses – which include being a Founding Member of the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council (AIMSC) and both using and reselling AIMSC Certified products and services.

Jennifer’s work in supplier diversity in Australia was last week recognised by a ‘Supplier Diversity Champion’ accolade at the AIMSC Connect 2010 Business Opportunity Fair and Conference in Sydney for not only championing supplier diversity within Corporate Express but within the overall Australian corporate and government AIMSC membership -- sharing her experience and best practices in supplier diversity from around the globe.

The RAP forms part of Corporate Express’ corporate social responsibility strategy and cements a commitment to creating an organisation that is aware of, and integrates knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples and cultures into our business practices.

“Ensuring the sustainability of the communities we operate in is something we’re passionate about. Our commitment to corporate social responsibility means we adhere to high standards in the areas of environmental sustainability, the workplace, the community and in the marketplace – and our RAP will impact all four CSR pillars,” said Paul Hitchcock, CEO, Corporate Express.