Chairman’s statement
The board is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance. As chairman, it is my role to ensure that these standards are promoted by the board and to ensure that the group is managed in the best interests of shareholders and our broader stakeholder group. During the year, we have formalised our governance policies by adopting the QCA Corporate Governance Code (‘the QCA Code’).
We recognise that a positive culture, together with a robust approach to governance, is key to the success of the organisation. As a professional services consultancy the group’s services are regulated by externally governed codes of practice and ethical behaviour. These regulatory professional standards are reinforced by the board which sets the culture of the group in promoting entrepreneurial growth against the background of sound regulatory compliance and ethical standards.
We seek to be a trusted advisor to all of our clients, to act with integrity at all times and to take pride in the advice and solutions we provide.
We have a clear approach to governance and risk management with a highly experienced leadership team in executive and senior management positions together with robust compliance and governance procedures. We are committed to a culture which ensures that our people enjoy working for the group, can develop their talents and fulfil their potential with us.
The 2019 annual report provides details on our approach to governance and the adoption of the QCA Code, including reports from the audit and remuneration committees. I believe that the adoption of the QCA Code will contribute to our ability to deliver long-term shareholder value and assist the board in managing the business for all of its stakeholders, whilst maintaining a flexible, efficient and effective management framework within an entrepreneurial environment.
Further detail on our compliance with the ten principles of the QCA Code can be accessed by the download below.
Ric Traynor
Executive chairman
8 July 2019
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Board of directors
Ric has focused on the development of the business, including the Group’s successful introduction to the AIM in 2004, and on practice management. He continues to lead the business and remains a major shareholder.
Mark acts as an insolvency practitioner, has been appointed in numerous complex and high-profile assignments and is a former president of the Insolvency Practitioners Association.
Mark was previously the UK chief operating officer of JLL (the leading, global real estate and professional services/investment management firm) and prior to this he was the UK managing partner of King Sturge, a national firm of chartered surveyors which was sold to JLL in 2011.
Modern slavery and human trafficking statement
This statement is published by Begbies Traynor Group plc pursuant to Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 for the financial year ending 30 April 2019
Slavery and human trafficking remains a menace to society. Everyone has a responsibility to be alert to the risks of this, particularly in a business and its supply chain. Staff are expected to report concerns and management are expected to act on such concerns as well as taking steps to minimise the risks of slavery and human trafficking when engaging with suppliers.
We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. Our anti-slavery policy reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chain.
Due Diligence Processes For Slavery And Human Trafficking
As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk we contract with UK companies or UK branches companies/businesses and we expect these entities to have suitable anti-slavery and human trafficking policies and processes in place and to, at least, adopt one up due diligence of the next link in the chain. It is not practical for us (and every other participant in the chain) to have a direct relationship with all links in the supply chain.
We identify and assess potential risk areas in our supply chain.
We mitigate the risk of slavery in human trafficking occurring in our supply chain.
We monitor potential risk areas in our supply chain.
We have a system in place to protect whistle-blowers who report any concerns regarding anti-slavery and human trafficking through our whistle-blowing policy.
Supplier Adherence To Our Values
We have a zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking. To ensure all those in our supply chain and contractors comply with our values. Compliance with such values is enforced through our contract management processes and relationships which relevant commercial departments have with suppliers.
Training
To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains in our business we provide training to relevant members of staff and all directors of the Group have been briefed on the subject.
Our Effectiveness In Combating Slavery In Human Trafficking
We have risk assessed our relevant supply chains to identify the risk of any slavery and human trafficking occurred and have taken steps where a tangible risk is perceived to understand steps taken by the supplier to ensure that no slavery or human trafficking is taking place in its supply chain. This is something which is kept under review on an annual basis.
The Begbies Traynor Group plc board of directors approved this statement on Thursday 4 July 2019.