Partnering for Purpose: How CHG-MERIDIAN and the National Device Bank Are Closing the Digital Divide
In September 2024, the National Device Bank (NDB) was introduced to CHG-MERIDIAN, a global technology management and finance company with a strong commitment to sustainability and digital inclusion. It became clear that there was a natural alignment between CHG-MERIDIAN’s circular technology principles and the NDB’s mission: ensuring every Australian has access to the tools, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive in a digital world.
By May 2025, CHG-MERIDIAN had formally signed on as a Principal Donor, entering into a multi-year collaboration guided by a Memorandum of Understanding.
“Inviting CHG-MERIDIAN to become a Principal Donor of the National Device Bank represents our shared belief that responsible IT asset disposal can, and should, deliver meaningful social impact.” Caroline McDaid, CEO of WorkVentures.
A Partnership Built on Circularity and Purpose
For CHG-MERIDIAN, circular technology has always been about more than extending the life of IT assets.
“It’s about ensuring that technology with years of potential remaining is not wasted but redirected to communities where it can make the greatest difference” says Simon Cubbin, Head of Strategic Partnerships at CHG-MERIDIAN.
Devices Making a Difference: From Wilcannia to the Torres Strait
CHG-MERIDIAN’s initial contribution of 200 devices was deployed to remote communities through WorkVentures’ First Nations Device Bank pilot, with approximately 80 devices delivered to the Torres Strait and 28 devices to Wilcannia.
First Nations National Device Bank Project
Wilcannia
In Wilcannia, a laptop is so much more than hardware. For participants in a new 10-week TAFE-led job readiness course, it becomes:
- a resume builder
- a design studio
- a training hub
- a pathway into employment
The course includes hands-on digital literacy training using Microsoft Office and Canva, helping learners prepare for job applications and build practical skills for the workforce. Graduates who complete the program will be able to keep their laptops, ensuring continued access to tools for learning and employment.
Torres Strait
In the Torres Strait, students at the Kaziw Meta Boarding House are using their donated laptops to access digital learning resources that were previously out of reach. A local digital champion is preparing a community story to share how these devices are helping create new learning opportunities for students across the region.
A Three-Year Commitment to Australia’s Digital Future
As a Principal Donor, CHG-MERIDIAN has committed to donating a total of 9,000 devices over three years.
These devices will support thousands of families, learners, job seekers, and community members across Australia, helping close the digital divide one device at a time.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The National Device Bank continues to demonstrate how responsible IT asset disposition can drive large-scale social and environmental change. Partnerships like this show what becomes possible when industry leaders commit to using technology for good.
“We are passionate about making technology accessible and sustainable. As a Principal Donor of the National Device Bank, we are proud to help close the digital divide while advancing our shared vision for a circular economy,” said Todd Fortescue, Vice President Sales – Australia & New Zealand.
With the first 200 devices already in the hands of learners, students, and job seekers, this is only just beginning. As we continue to work together to close the digital divide, we invite organisations across Australia to consider their own technology lifecycles.
About CHG-MERIDIAN
CHG-MERIDIAN is a leading global technology2use company in the IT, industrial and healthcare sectors. It has around 1,600 employees worldwide and develops, finances, and manages customised technology solutions based on the principle of usage over ownership. This gives customers including large corporations, SMEs, public authorities, and hospitals access to the latest technologies, cost-effective financing models, and tailored services that meet individual needs.
In 2025, the CHG-MERIDIAN Group was awarded the Platinum Medal in the latest EcoVadis rating, placing it among the top 1 percent of more than 130,000 companies assessed worldwide. This result highlights the company’s consistent advancement of its sustainability management.
