In a landmark achievement for Caribbean corporate governance, Digicel Group has been honored with the prestigious Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Corporate Ethical Procurement & Supply Kitemark—becoming the first Caribbean organization to receive this globally recognized accreditation. The distinction was formally presented during the inaugural CIPS Caribbean Conference and Awards ceremony at Trinidad’s Hyatt Regency last week, where Digicel’s procurement team accepted the award.
The CIPS Kitemark represents the gold standard in ethical procurement, serving as an international benchmark for organizations demonstrating exemplary supply chain integrity and ethical sourcing practices. This accreditation follows rigorous independent auditing that verified Digicel’s compliance with global best practices in procurement ethics and transparency.
Arshad Ali, Digicel’s Director of Group Procurement, Supply Chain & Real Estate, commented on this milestone: ‘This accreditation fundamentally reflects our business ethos. It signifies the substantial advancements we’ve made in institutionalizing ethical, transparent, and accountable procurement processes across the Group. Moreover, it reinforces our dedication to elevating standards for responsible sourcing and supply chain governance throughout the Caribbean region.’
For customers and business partners, the Kitemark provides tangible assurance of Digicel’s commitment to ethical operations throughout its supply network. The company’s procurement decisions incorporate both commercial viability and ethical considerations, ensuring every business interaction maintains rigorous standards of integrity and accountability.
Michael Watson, Chief Compliance and Cyber Security Officer at Digicel Group, emphasized the broader implications: ‘This recognition underscores Digicel’s unwavering dedication to ethical business practices and the continuous improvement of our ethics and compliance programs. It assures our customers, suppliers, and partners that Digicel adheres to the highest ethical standards in all operations.’
The achievement positions Digicel among an elite group of organizations worldwide that have demonstrated excellence in ethical procurement practices, potentially setting new industry standards for corporate responsibility and supply chain management in the Caribbean business landscape.