Environmental, Social (incl EDI) and Corporate Governance

Environmental and carbon reduction policy

While Davies Hickman Partners Ltd are a naturally low-emission business we actively work to reduce our impact on the local and global environment. As outlined in the Environment Act 2021 with the aim of achieving carbon reduction and Net Zero emissions (by 2030). We aim to meet the highest possible sustainability goals by reducing waste produced, energy consumption and pollution from our activities. We aim to minimise energy use in our offices by using energy-efficient products and by switching off any devices (where feasible) when not in use. We no longer use single-use plastics in our office.

We aim to reduce the impact on the environment by our business travel by ensuring that only needed journeys are undertaken. As many business trips as possible are completed by train, tube or walking rather than car. If a car journey is essential then if possible car sharing is used. We also aim to plan business journeys so that distances travelled are minimised.

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policy

Our equal opportunities policy is in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 set out by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Reflecting the diversity of the United Kingdom’s population, we support diversity in the workforce and our customers and subcontractors and inclusion for all in order to create an equal marketplace. This also encompasses monitoring for infringements on people’s human rights and promoting fair and equal pay.

It is our policy that there should be no discrimination against, harassment/victimisation of any employee or job applicant or contractor either directly or indirectly on the grounds of the following “protected characteristics”:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marital status
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion and belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Davies Hickman are committed to making sure no one is treated less favourably thansomeone else because of a protected characteristic. We will work to ensure the contents and language used in surveys or questionnaires are inclusive and non-discriminative.

Further details are available on request.

Anti-slavery and human trafficking policy

Davies Hickman Partners Ltd strictly prohibits the use of modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chain. We have and will continue to be committed to implementing systems and controls aimed at ensuring that modern slavery is not taking place anywhere within our organisation or in any of our supply chains. We expect that our suppliers will hold their own suppliers to the same high standards and that they also adhere to all statutes, statutory instruments, bye-laws, orders, regulations, directives, treaties, decisions of the European Council, decrees and laws (including any common law or civil law judgment, demand, order or decision of any court, regulator or tribunal) anywhere in the world which relate to anti-slavery or servitude, anti-forced or compulsory labour and/or anti-human trafficking, including the Modern Slavery Act, 2015.

Community and charity

Davies Hickman Partners believe we should make an additional contribution to the community, over and above the work we complete for clients:

First, we provide up to 4% of our time in providing advice and governance services to BSI, CEN and ISO to help develop standards for customer contact. Second, we enable young people to gain paid work experience and an understanding of our work to help them gain permanent employment. Thirdly, we contribute to charities, including those associated with breast cancer.

Professional indemnity

We have professional indemnity insurance up to £2m.

Health and safety policy

Davies Hickman believes that consideration of the health, safety and welfare of staff is an integral part of the management process. The provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated codes of practice are adopted as required standards within the company.

We require managers to approach health and safety in a systematic way, by identifying hazards and problems, planning improvements, taking executive action and monitoring results so that the majority of health and safety needs will be met.
If unpredictable health and safety issues arise during the year, the Directors must assess the degree of risk, in deciding the necessary resources and actions to commit to addressing these issues.

It is our policy to provide First Aid and the training of ‘First Aiders’ in accordance with the 2013 amendments to the First Aid Regulations (1981). Likewise, we ensure that all staff receive adequate fire training.

Data protection policy

We respect client confidentiality at all times, both before, during and after projects. This means we do not disclose details and confidential information associated with project work to parties outside of the client.

If the results of a client project are in the public domain we can use that information to promote data to our audiences, but we always respect our relationship with the client.
If for reasons of completing projects, we need to disclose details of the work we first gain the agreement of our clients.

We keep strict standards of data confidentiality and data protection in accordance with the UK-GDPR (United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation) 2020.
We tell people about the type of personal information we collect, how we collect it and why we require the information. Anyone can remove their consent of our collection or use of their personal information at any time.

We are committed to ensuring that all information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect.

Paper based client and project information are kept in secure, alarmed premises. Confidential papers are locked in secure filing cabinets.

Davies Hickman Partner’s computers are password protected, use the latest updated versions of Apple and Microsoft operating systems. For highly confidential data we can secure this information using encryption.

You have certain rights in relation to the personal data that we hold about you under GDPR. These include: requesting access to personal data, rectification, erasure, restrictions, objections and portability.

For more information please contact the Data Controller Jo Davies.