SYSTEMIQ Ltd is a system change company that partners with business, finance, policy makers and civil society to make economic systems more sustainable. We pride ourselves on our reputation for acting fairly and ethically wherever we do business. Our reputation is built on our values as a company, the values of our employees and our collective commitment to acting with integrity throughout our organisation.
ANTI-BRIBERY STATEMENT OF ETHICS
The management of SYSTEMIQ condemns corruption in all its forms, and we will not tolerate it in our business or in those we do business with. From the confines of our working environments, it is sometimes difficult to grasp the scale of the damage that bribery does to societies. It is not a victimless crime; far from it:
“Corruption … undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to violations of human rights, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life and allows organised crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish. This evil phenomenon is found in all countries – big and small, rich and poor…corruption hurts the poor disproportionately by diverting funds intended for development, undermining a government’s ability to provide basic services, feeding inequality and injustice and discouraging foreign aid and investment. Corruption is a key element in economic under-performance and a major obstacle to poverty alleviation and development.”
(Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General)
Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct sets out in detail how you should behave and what you should do if you are confronted with corruption. We expect that all of you will embrace the Code and its values and use them in all aspects of your day-to-day work.
The Code is for your benefit as much as for SYSTEMIQ’s. If convicted of a bribery offence, SYSTEMIQ might get a significant fine and suffer lasting reputational damage. If you are convicted of a bribery offence, you could face up to ten years in prison. The potential harm done by bribery, both to SYSTEMIQ and to you, is long term and hugely outweighs any potential short-term gain. Bribery is just not worth the risk.
If you have any doubts about anything at all, refer to the Code of Conduct or you can speak to your local compliance officer in complete confidence. The Management of SYSTEMIQ is committed to eradicating corruption and will stand by you in acting ethically.
Getting it RIGHT
Remember, take the RIGHT approach, and we can eradicate corruption together:
- Responsibility. You are responsible for your actions. If you break the law, you will have to face the consequences – which could mean a fine, imprisonment, or both.
- Integrity. Don’t compromise your integrity. If you think something is wrong, always report it. If you aren’t sure, consult the Code of Conduct. Don’t ever let yourself be forced into doing something you know or suspect is wrong.
- Genuineness. Always pay genuine prices for genuine goods and services. Never pay over the odds. Agents who ask for especially large fees or commissions may do so in order to pay bribes on your behalf. If this happens, you will be responsible. Excessive payments are obvious and will always be uncovered.
- Honesty. Act honestly and in good faith at all times and in all aspects of your work.
- Transparency. Keep accurate records (including all invoices and receipts) of everything that you do, especially in relation to the payments you make and what they are for. Full and accurate records demonstrate complete transparency and that you have nothing to hide.
Don’t bribe. Do the RIGHT thing.
Jeremy Oppenheim, Founding Partner, SYSTEMIQ Ltd
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
SYSTEMIQ Ltd
110 High Holborn
London WC1V 6JS
United Kingdom
[email protected]