Corporate
Social Responsibility

Legislation and regulation are forming an increasingly large part of the way that we all see our own business and its place in society. At BAND we believe that our values influence not only how we comply, but combine this into the ’right’ way of doing things. This doesn’t mean only for our business and our team, but also for our clients, our stakeholders and the environment.

You will see that parts of our CSR policy are required by legislation, some originate from legislation from which we are exempt but we very much believe in them.

We recognise that to be a successful and sustainable business we need to direct our activity based on the responsible management of the impact that our activity generates; not only focusing on profit but also on people and the planet.

OUR TEAM

Our team are our most important asset. Having a good business to us means having motivated and engaged people working with us in a supportive and inclusive work environment.

We believe in diversity through equality of opportunity rather than through positive discrimination. This includes all people of any gender, ethnicity, religion, age, or sexual orientation.

Our team work in a variety of disciplines but every individual is encouraged to fulfil their potential through an inclusive training programme, personal development plans and mentorship. We employ school leavers and graduates as well as experienced hires and financially support their academic training. We have a range of in-house and external training programmes that can develop their personal expertise and career prospects. Importantly, we recognise that working with one company for life is no longer an expectation. So, we aim to play a part in our teams’ development and provide them with experience, responsibility and opportunity such that they benefit from working with us.

As you would expect we have a range of policies covering health and safety, diversity, equal opportunities and flexible working. Although not legally required to do so we have statements of compliance with THE MODERN SLAVERY ACT the BRIBARY ACT 2010 and CRIMINAL FINANCES 2017.

OUR CLIENTS AND THEIR TEAMS

We are proud to work with and support our clients. They deserve the best and that is what we hope to give them. We also recognise that however hard we try, sometimes things go wrong.

In the event of something going wrong or any dissatisfaction, then our clients have the right to contact the Director who looks after their account. In the event that this does not resolve matters to their satisfaction then clients can escalate this matter to the Chief Executive Office, Rob Quinn.

If the matter is still not resolved, then you can raise your concern with the Non-Executive Director, Neil Stammers. Should our complaint procedure not conclude the matter then you have the right to complain to ICAEW or email: complaints@icaew.com

You can be assured that things very rarely go wrong, and when they do we can normally resolve them; but as a last resort we do have Professional Indemnity Insurance and in accordance with the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, we advise that the territorial coverage of our Professional Indemnity Insurance is worldwide (excluding USA and Canada) and our lead insurer is CNA Insurance Company Limited, 20 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3BY. (TBA)

THE PLANET

Never has there been so much concern about the planet. It’s easy to think that with everyone one else talking about it that it’ll all be ok, and besides, as a small organisation, what can we do?

Our objective is to minimise the impact of our business activity on the environment, wherever possible. This includes ensuring that our suppliers do likewise and that we persuade our clients to consider environmental matters wherever possible.

A review has concluded that the most significant area of impact we have on the environment is in the use of natural resources.

Our significant natural resource usage includes power, water, travel, and consumables such as paper and I.T. equipment. We recognise our impact on the environment comes from:

• Electricity to heat, cool and power office equipment.
• Gas for heating.
• Travel by air, road and rail to conduct meetings.
• Water in offices used for a variety of purposes.
• Resources such as paper.
• Waste including paper, plastic and consumable I.T. equipment.

OUR OBJECTIVES

• Evaluate future energy usage. During the next 12 months we will establish a base line of power usage and embark on a reduction program.
• Avoid unnecessary travel on business. During the next 12 months we will consider our office footprint and monitor and report on business mileage per head.
• Use the most environmentally friendly mode of transport. During the next 12 months we will evaluate the possibility of the introduction of a car sharing scheme and bike storage
• Aim for a paper-free office culture. During the next 12 months we will look to adopt paperless systems in offices that have not yet transitioned.
• Reduce our letters and correspondence, where alternative electronic mechanisms can be used. During the next 12 months we will implement more electronic delivery systems for accounts and tax returns.
• Reduce our hard copy marketing. During the next 12 months we will conduct much of our marketing by electronic delivery.
• Use either recycled or FSC paper for all hard copy correspondence. All our new brand collateral will conform to this.
• Consider environmental criteria when choosing services and goods.
  Fundamentally we will reduce our impact on the environment and likewise, ask that our employees, suppliers and clients do too.

THE FUTURE

We will report on the all our commitments above formally at board level on an annual basis publicly and put forward our plans for the following year.