The Company believes that it is important for the Company and its employees to maintain high ethical standards in order to preserve its reputation in the marketplace.

Good ethics are important to ensure that the Company meets not only its objectives in a fair and equitable manner but its wider social responsibilities externally. In addition, the Company is committed to ensuring high ethical standards within the workplace.

The procedure that follows provides general guidance on ethics and refers to other policies of the Company where necessary. The procedure will be closely monitored and will be developed as necessary to ensure that it meets the needs of the Company, its employees and its stakeholders.

Procedure

1.      All employees will be provided with ethics training as part of the induction programme. Ongoing ethics training, as the ethics policy and procedure develops, will be cascaded to employees via management.

2.      All employees are required to adhere to the Company’s policy and procedure on business ethics. Employees who breach the Company’s policy on business ethics will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

3.      Employees who are faced with a potential breach of the business ethics code or have doubts about an ethical choice they are facing should, in the first instance, speak to their line manager.

4.      The Company has a Code of Conduct which employees are expected to abide by. A copy of the Code of Conduct and other policies relevant to this procedure are availablefrom the Company.

5.      The Data Protection Act 1998 requires that eight data protection principles be followed. These data protection principles are set out in the Company’s Data Protection Policy and all employees are expected to familiarise themselves with its requirements. Employees should ensure that they understand how data protection impacts on their particular role, in particular with regard to external suppliers and customers. Employees who have any questions on the Company’s Data Protection Policy should speak to their line manager in the first instance.

6.      The Company is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity in the workplace. It is the Company’s policy to treat all job applicants and employees fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, trans-gender status, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, civil partnership status, race, colour, nationality, national origins, ethnic origin or disability. Furthermore, the Company will monitor the composition of the workforce and introduce positive action if it appears that this policy is not fully effective. Employees are required to conduct themselves in a way that promotes equal opportunities at all times. Good practice will be promoted by senior management and employees will be provided with relevant training. Employees who feel they have been discriminated against or suffered harassment should speak to a member of management immediately. Further information is available in the Company’s Equal Opportunities policy and procedure.

7.      The Company is committed to conserving the earth’s resources and to do what it can to reduce any negative effects it has on the environment. Employees are required to use the Company’s equipment and materials wisely and reduce wastage where possible. Employees can play a positive role in helping the environment by minimizing waste on sites, purchasing and using building materials responsibly and economically, recycling all non-confidential waste, using printers and photocopiers with care and switching off electrical equipment which is not in use.

8.      We believe it’s important to be part of the community in which we operate. We shall contribute to local community development through proactive participation in volunteer activities and other local events. That’s why we also actively encourage staff involvement with schools, colleges and universities and we support charity and fundraising initiatives wherever possible.

9.      Health and Safety is very important to us. To help us exceed even the most exacting industry standards, we ensure that all our operatives are fully trained and made aware of their responsibilities to themselves, their colleagues, the public and the environment.

10.      The Company is committed to a maximising the skills, knowledge and experience of its workforce, and to providing appropriate training to enable employees to fulfil their potential within their role.