Good governance is about balancing the needs of stakeholders and helping to run the company well through efficient processes and decision making. It involves being satisfied that an effective and rigorous internal framework of systems and controls is in place which clearly defines authority and accountability and promotes success whilst appropriately managing risk.
Human rights
Keller expects all employees and suppliers to adhere to international standards on human rights, including with respect to child and forced labour, land rights and freedom of association, among other elements.
We take a zero-tolerance approach to slavery and human trafficking and are strongly committed to ensuring that all employees, as well as the people who work on our behalf, are protected. Our full expectations are included in our Supply Chain Code of Business Conduct, modern slavery and human trafficking statement and our new Human Rights Policy, which are available on our website.
We conduct appropriate due diligence on our partners, and all of our suppliers are obliged to adhere to the principles set out in the Supply Chain Code of Business Conduct and policies.
Anti-bribery and corruption
Keller’s Anti-Bribery and Anti-Fraud Policy and whistleblowing procedures are designed to ensure that employees and other parties, including contractors and third parties, are able to report anonymously any instances of poor practice safely through an independent provider.
All reports received via this or any other reporting mechanism are thoroughly investigated and reported to the Audit and Risk Committee, which reviews each case and its outcomes. None of our investigations during 2023 identified any systemic issues or breaches of our obligations under the Bribery Act 2010. The Anti-Bribery and Anti-Fraud Policy, which was reviewed and updated during the year, is supported by periodic audits and reminders.
Governance and oversight
We recognise that assurance over our business activities and those of our partners and suppliers is essential. In 2023 our employees completed mandatory training on competition law compliance, data privacy, the Code of Business Conduct, and prevention of facilitation of tax evasion.
Tax strategy
We publish our tax strategy on our website and are committed to managing our tax affairs responsibly and in compliance with relevant legislation. Our tax strategy is aligned to our Code of Business Conduct, which is available on our website, and Keller’s values and culture, and is owned and approved by the Audit and Risk Committee and the Board annually.
Keller's ways of working
Our Code of Business Conduct sets out clear and common standards of behaviour for everyone who works in and with Keller, as well as a framework to guide decision-making when situations aren’t clear-cut. It also ensures a positive culture that keeps us successful, operating in a way that we can all be proud of. It is a public statement of our commitment to high standards that tells others they can rely on our integrity.
The Code is supported by our Group policies, our modern slavery and human trafficking statement, our tax strategy and our Supply Chain Code of Business Conduct, all of which are available on our website.
Our ethics and compliance programme is now in its eighth year of supporting our employees doing the right thing. The programme comprises training of our employees across the business on maintaining ethical and honest behaviour, respecting employees’ rights and diversity, and staying free from bribery and corruption.
Committee structures
To reflect the growing importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters and provide focus and oversight on these issues, we have a Board Committee, the Sustainability Committee, which provides a clear focus and oversight on environmental matters, including climate-related matters and TCFD, and wider sustainability matters.
Our Board has agreed a reporting framework on ESG matters. ESG is the responsibility of the Board as a whole, with the Chairman as designated Director for ESG matters, reporting through the Group Company Secretary and Legal Advisor to the Board. The Board receives a quarterly report which summarises the activities, initiatives and challenges on ESG during the period and tracks progress. These assures a clear reporting line on all ESG matters to the Chairman.