Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption Policy

Policy Statement

ITVET is committed to conducting business in an ethical and honest manner and is committed to implementing and enforcing systems that ensure bribery is prevented. ITVET has zero-tolerance for bribery and corrupt activities. We are committed to acting professionally, fairly, and with integrity in all business dealings and relationships, wherever in the country we operate, including negotiating contracts with transparency and fairness.

We conduct thorough due diligence to ensure we do not engage in business with individuals or entities listed on national and international sanctions lists.

ITVET will constantly uphold all laws relating to anti-bribery and corruption in all the jurisdictions in which we operate. We are bound by the laws of the UK, including the Bribery Act 2010, in regard to our conduct both at home and abroad.

ITVET recognises that bribery and corruption are punishable by up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine. If our company is discovered to have taken part in corrupt activities, we may be subjected to an unlimited fine, be excluded from tendering for public contracts, and face serious damage to our reputation. It is with this in mind that we commit to preventing bribery and corruption in our business and take our legal responsibilities seriously.

Who is covered by the policy?

This anti-bribery policy applies to all employees (whether temporary, fixed term, or permanent), consultants, contractors, trainees, seconded staff, home workers, casual workers, agency staff, volunteers, interns, agents, sponsors, or any other person or persons associated with us (including third parties), or any of our subsidiaries or their employees, no matter where they are located (within or outside of the UK). The policy also applies to Officers, Trustees, Board, and/or Committee members at any level.

In the context of this policy, third-party refers to any individual or organisation our company meets and works with. It refers to actual and potential clients, customers, suppliers, distributors, business contacts, agents, advisers, and government and public bodies – this includes their advisors, representatives and officials, politicians, and public parties.

Any arrangements our company makes with a third party is subject to clear contractual terms, including specific provisions that require the third party to comply with minimum.

Definition of bribery and corruption

Bribery is a form of corruption and fraud. It refers to the act of offering, giving, promising, asking, agreeing, receiving, accepting, or soliciting something of value or of an advantage so to induce or influence an action or decision.

A bribe refers to any inducement, reward, or object/item of value offered to another individual in order to gain commercial, contractual, regulatory, or personal advantage.

Bribery is not limited to the act of offering a bribe. If an individual is on the receiving end of a bribe and they accept it, they are also breaking the law.

Bribery is illegal. Employees must not engage in any form of bribery, whether it be directly, passively (as described above), or through a third party (such as an agent or distributor). They must not bribe a foreign public official anywhere in the world. They must not accept bribes in any degree and if they are uncertain about whether something is a bribe or a gift or act of hospitality, they must seek further advice from the senior compliance manager.

Gifts and hospitality

ITVET accepts normal and appropriate gestures of hospitality and goodwill (whether given to/received from third parties) so long as the giving or receiving of gifts meets the following requirements:

1. a. It is not made with the intention of influencing the party to whom it is being given, to obtain or reward the retention of a business or a business advantage, or as an explicit or implicit exchange for favours or benefits.

b. It is not made with the suggestion that a return favour is expected.

c. It is in compliance with local law.

d. It is given in the name of the company, not in an individual’s name.

e. It does not include cash or a cash equivalent (e.g. a voucher or gift certificate).

f. It is appropriate for the circumstances (e.g. giving small gifts around Christmas or as a small thank you to a company for helping with a large project upon completion).

g. It is of an appropriate type and value and given at an appropriate time, taking into account the reason for the gift.

h. It is given/received openly, not secretly.

i. It is not selectively given to a key, influential person, clearly with the intention of directly influencing them.

j. It is not above a certain excessive value, as pre-determined by the company’s senior compliance manager (usually in excess of £100).

k. It is not offer to, or accepted from, a government official or representative or politician or political party, without the prior approval of the company’s senior compliance manager.

Where it is inappropriate to decline the offer of a gift (i.e. when meeting with an individual of a certain religion/culture who may take offence), the gift may be accepted so long as it is declared to the senior compliance manager, who will assess the circumstances.

ITVET recognises that the practice of giving and receiving business gifts varies between countries, regions, cultures, and religions, so definitions of what is acceptable and not acceptable will inevitably differ for each.

As good practice, gifts given and received should always be disclosed to the senior compliance manager. Gifts from suppliers should always be disclosed.

The intention behind a gift being given/received should always be considered. If there is any uncertainty, the advice of the senior compliance manager should be sought.

Facilitation payments and kickbacks

ITVET does not accept and will not make any form of facilitation payments of any nature. We recognise that facilitation payments are a form of bribery that involves expediting or facilitating the performance of a public official for a routine governmental action. We recognise that they tend to be made by low level officials with the intention of securing or speeding up the performance of a certain duty or action.

ITVET does not allow kickbacks to be made or accepted. We recognise that kickbacks are typically made in exchange for a business favour or advantage.

Tax evasion and money laundering

Employees and associated persons must comply with all applicable tax laws and regulations, ensuring that all financial dealings are transparent and accurately reported. Any attempts to evade taxes through illegal means, or to disguise the origins of illicit funds by integrating them in legitimate financial systems, are strictly forbidden. Suspicious activities or transactions must be reported immediately to the senior compliance manager.

Political Contributions

ITVET will not make donations, whether in cash, kind, or by any other means, to support any political parties or candidates. We recognise this may be perceived as an attempt to gain an improper business advantage.

Charitable Contributions

ITVET accepts (and indeed encourages) the act of donating to charities – whether through services, knowledge, time, or direct financial contributions (cash or otherwise) – and agrees to disclose all charitable contributions it makes.

Employees must be careful to ensure that charitable contributions are not used to facilitate and conceal acts of bribery.

We will ensure that all charitable donations made are legal and ethical under local laws and practices, and that donations are not offered/made without the approval of the senior compliance manager.

Conflict of Interest

Employees and associated persons must avoid situations where personal interests might conflict with their professional duties or influence their judgement. Any potential or actual conflict of interest must be promptly disclosed to a manager or the senior compliance manager. This includes, but is not limited to, personal relationships, financial interests, or any other circumstances that could compromise or appear to compromise and individual’s objectivity.

Employee Responsibilities

As an employee of ITVET, you must ensure that you read, understand, and comply with the information contained within this policy, and with any training or other anti-bribery and corruption information you are given.

All employees and those under our control are equally responsible for the prevention, detection, and reporting of bribery and other forms of corruption. They are required to avoid any activities that could lead to, or imply, a breach of this anti-bribery policy.

If you have reason to believe or suspect that an instance of bribery or corruption has occurred or will occur in the future that breaches this policy, you must notify the senior compliance manager.

If any employee breaches this policy, they will face disciplinary action and could face dismissal for gross misconduct. A Managing Director has the right to terminate a contractual relationship with an employee if they breach this anti-bribery policy.

How to raise a concern

If you suspect that there is an instance of bribery or corrupt activities occurring in relation to ITVET, you are encouraged to raise your concerns at as early a stage as possible. If you’re uncertain about whether a certain action or behaviour can be considered bribery or corruption, you should speak to your line manager, the senior compliance manager, or one of the directors.

ITVET will familiarise all employees with its whistleblowing procedures so employees can vocalise their concerns swiftly and confidentially.

What to do if you are a victim of bribery or corruption

You must tell the senior compliance manager as soon as possible if you are offered a bribe by anyone, if you are asked to make one, if you suspect that you may be bribed or asked to make a bribe in the near future, or if you have reason to believe that you are a victim of another corrupt activity.

Protection

If you refuse to accept or offer a bribe or you report a concern relating to potential act(s) of bribery or corruption, ITVET understands that you may feel worried about potential repercussions. ITVET will support anyone who raises concerns in good faith under this policy, even if investigation finds that they were mistaken.

ITVET will ensure that no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of refusing to accept or offer a bribe or other corrupt activities or because they reported a concern relating to potential act(s) of bribery or corruption.

Detrimental treatment refers to dismissal, disciplinary action, treats, or unfavourable treatment in relation to the concern the individual raised.

If you have reason to believe you’ve been subjected to unjust treatment as a result of a concern or refusal to accept a bribe, you should inform your line manager or the senior compliance manager immediately.

Record keeping

ITVET will keep detailed and accurate financial records and will have appropriate internal controls in place to act as evidence for all payments made. We will declare and keep a written record of the amount and reason for hospitality or gifts accepted and given and understand that gifts and acts of hospitality are subject to managerial review.

Monitoring and reviewing

The Compliance Team are responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of this policy and will review the implementation of it on a regular basis. They will assess its suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness.

Any need for improvements will be applied as soon as possible. Employees are encouraged to offer their feedback on this policy if they have any suggestions for how it may be improved. Feedback of this nature should be addressed to the senior compliance manager.