Anti Bribery Policy

Policy Statement

TSL Contractors Ltd is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct in all its business activities. We take a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and are committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships wherever we operate and to implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter bribery and corruption.

This policy outlines the company’s position on preventing and prohibiting bribery and corruption, in accordance with the Bribery Act 2010. The company will not tolerate any form of bribery or corruption by, or of, its employees, agents or consultants or any person or body acting on its behalf. Senior management is committed to implementing effective measures to prevent, monitor and eliminate bribery.

About This Policy

It is a criminal offence to offer, promise, give, request, or accept a bribe. Individuals found guilty can be punished by up to ten years’ imprisonment and/or a fine. As an employer if we fail to prevent bribery we can face an unlimited fine, exclusion from tendering for public contracts, and damage to our reputation. We therefore take our legal responsibilities very seriously. Where we believe or suspect a criminal offence has
occurred or may occur we will inform the relevant authorities.

The purpose of this policy is to

• set out our responsibilities, and of those working for and on our behalf, in observing and upholding our position on bribery and corruption; and
• provide information and guidance to those working for and on our behalf on how to recognise and
  deal with bribery and corruption issues.

In this policy, third party means any individual or organisation you come into contact with during the course of your work for us, and includes actual and potential clients, customers, suppliers, distributors, business contacts, agents, advisers, and government and public bodies, including their advisors, representatives and officials, politicians and political parties.

This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and we may amend it at any time.

Scope Of This Policy

This policy applies to all persons working for us or any group company, or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, agency workers, seconded workers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners, sponsors, or any other person associated with us, wherever located.

Responsibility For This Policy

Andy Knight, Managing Director, have overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it.

The compliance manager, Angela Coburn, Head of HR has primary and day-to-day responsibility for implementing this policy, monitoring its use and effectiveness, dealing with any queries about it, and auditing internal control systems and procedures to ensure they are effective in countering bribery and corruption.

Management at all levels are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them understand and comply with this policy and are given adequate and regular training on it.

What Are Bribery And Corruption?

Bribery is offering, promising, giving or accepting any financial or other advantage, to induce the recipient or any other person to act improperly in the performance of their functions, or to reward them for acting improperly, or where the recipient would act improperly by accepting the advantage. An advantage includes money, gifts, loans, fees, hospitality, services, discounts, the award of a contract or anything else of value.

A person acts improperly where they act illegally, unethically, or contrary to an expectation of good faith or impartiality, or where they abuse a position of trust. The improper acts may be in relation to any business or professional activities, public functions, acts in the course of employment, or other activities by or on behalf of any organisation of any kind.

Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power or position for private gain.

What You Must Not Do

It is not acceptable for you (or someone on your behalf) to:

• give, promise to give, or offer, a payment, gift or hospitality with the expectation or hope that a business advantage will be received, or to reward a business advantage already given;
• give or accept a gift or hospitality during any commercial negotiations or tender process, if this could be perceived as intended or likely to influence the outcome;
• accept a payment, gift or hospitality from a third party that you know or suspect is offered with the expectation that it will provide a business advantage for them or anyone else in return;
• accept hospitality from a third party that is unduly lavish or extravagant under the circumstances.
• offer or accept a gift to or from government officials or representatives, or politicians or political parties, without the prior approval of your manager or the compliance manager;
• threaten or retaliate against another individual who has refused to commit a bribery offence or who has raised concerns under this policy; or
• engage in any other activity that might lead to a breach of this policy.

Facilitation Payments And Kickbacks

We do not make, and will not accept, facilitation payments or “kickbacks” of any kind.

Facilitation payments, also known as “back-handers” or “grease payments”, are typically small, unofficial payments made to secure or expedite a routine or necessary action to which the payer of the facilitation payment already has a legal or other entitlement, for example, for a license or permit from a public authority.

Kickbacks are typically payments made in return for a business favour or advantage.

You must avoid any activity that might lead to a facilitation payment or kickback being made or accepted by us or on our behalf, or that might suggest that such a payment will be made or accepted. If you are asked to make a payment on our behalf, you should always be mindful of what the payment is for and whether the amount requested is proportionate to the goods or services provided. You should always ask for a receipt which details the reason for the payment. If you have any suspicions, concerns or queries regarding a payment, you should raise these with the compliance manager.

Gifts, Hospitality And Expenses

This policy allows reasonable and appropriate hospitality or entertainment given to or received from third
parties, for the purposes of:

• establishing or maintaining good business relationships;
• improving or maintaining our image or reputation; or
• marketing or presenting our products and/or services effectively.

The giving and accepting of gifts is allowed if the following requirements are met:

• it is not made with the intention of influencing a third party to obtain or retain business or a business advantage, or to reward the provision or retention of business or a business advantage, or in explicit or implicit exchange for favours or benefits;
• it is given in our name, not in your name;
• it does not include cash or a cash equivalent (such as gift certificates or vouchers);
• it is appropriate in the circumstances, taking account of the reason for the gift, its timing and value. For example, the giving and receiving of small gifts at Christmas;
• it is given openly, not secretly; and
• approval is given by either of the directors of the company or the compliance manager prior to the giving of a gift and at the point of receipt of a gift.

The test to be applied is whether in all the circumstances the gift, hospitality or payment is reasonable and justifiable and the intention behind it should always be considered. Promotional gifts of low value such as branded stationery to or from existing customers, suppliers and business partners will usually be acceptable.

Reimbursing a third party’s expenses, or accepting an offer to reimburse our expenses (for example, the costs of attending a business meeting) would not usually amount to bribery. However, a payment in excess of genuine and reasonable business expenses (such as the cost of an extended hotel stay) is not acceptable.

Donations

We do not make contributions to political parties.

We only make charitable donations that are legal and ethical. No donation must be offered or made without the prior approval of a company director.

Record-Keeping

The company is required to keep financial records and have appropriate internal controls in place which will evidence the business reason for making payments to third parties.

You must declare and keep a written record of all hospitality or gifts given or received, which will be subject to managerial review.

You must submit all expenses claims relating to hospitality, gifts or payments to third parties in accordance with our expenses policy and record the reason for expenditure.

All accounts, invoices, and other records relating to dealings with third parties including suppliers and customers should be prepared with strict accuracy and completeness. Accounts must not be kept “off-book” to facilitate or conceal improper payments.

Your Responsibilities

The company depends on its employees and associated persons to ensure that the highest standards of ethical conduct are maintained in all its business dealings.

The prevention, detection and reporting of bribery and other forms of corruption are the responsibility of all those working for us or under our control. You must ensure that you read, understand and comply with this policy.

You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this policy.

You must notify a company director or the compliance manager as soon as possible if you believe or suspect that a conflict with this policy has occurred, or may occur in the future. For example, if a client or potential client offers you something to gain a business advantage with us, or indicates to you that a gift or payment is required to secure their business. Further “red flags” that may indicate bribery or corruption are set out at the end of this policy.

How To Raise A Concern

You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of bribery or corruption at the earliest possible stage.

If you are offered a bribe, or are asked to make one, or if you believe or suspect that any bribery, corruption or other breach of this policy has occurred or may occur, you must notify a company director or the compliance manager as soon as possible.

If you are unsure about whether a particular act constitutes bribery or corruption, you must raise it with the compliance manager as soon as possible.

Protection

Individuals who refuse to accept or offer a bribe, or who raise concerns or report another’s wrongdoing, are sometimes worried about possible repercussions. We aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken.

We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of refusing to take part in bribery or corruption, or because of reporting in good faith their suspicion that an actual or potential bribery or other corruption offence has taken place, or may take place in the future. Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats or other unfavourable treatment connected with raising a concern. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform the compliance manager immediately. If the matter is not remedied, and you are an employee, you should raise it formally using our Grievance Procedure, a copy of which is available from the Head of HR.

Training And Communication

Training on this policy forms part of the induction process for all individuals who work for us, and regular training will be provided as necessary.

Our zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and business partners at the outset of our business relationship with them and as appropriate thereafter.

Breaches Of This Policy

The company will fully investigate any instances of alleged or suspected bribery. Employees suspected of bribery may be suspended from their duties while the investigation is being carried out.

Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct.

We may terminate our relationship with other individuals and organisations working on our behalf if they breach this policy.

We may also report any matter to the relevant authorities, including to the police. We will provide all necessary assistance to the relevant authorities in any subsequent prosecution.

Potential Risk Scenarios: “Red Flags”

The following is a list of possible red flags that may arise during the course of you working for us and which may raise concerns under various anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. The list is not intended to be exhaustive and is for illustrative purposes only.

If you encounter any of these red flags while working for us, you must report them promptly to a company director or the compliance manager:

• you become aware that a third party engages in, or has been accused of engaging in, improper business practices;
• you learn that a third party has a reputation for paying bribes, or requiring that bribes are paid to them;
• a third party insists on receiving a commission or fee payment before committing to sign up to a contract with us, or carrying out a government function or process for us;
• a third party requests payment in cash and/or refuses to sign a formal commission or fee agreement, or to provide an invoice or receipt for a payment made;
• a third party requests that payment is made to a country or geographic location different from where the third party resides or conducts business;
• a third party requests an unexpected additional fee or commission to “facilitate” a service;
• a third party demands lavish entertainment or gifts before commencing or continuing contractual negotiations or provision of services;
• a third party requests that a payment is made to “overlook” potential legal violations;
• a third party requests that you provide employment or some other advantage to a friend or relative;
• you receive an invoice from a third party that appears to be non-standard or customised;
• a third party insists on the use of side letters or refuses to put terms agreed in writing;
• you notice that we have been invoiced for a commission or fee payment that appears large given the service stated to have been provided;
• a third party requests or requires the use of an agent, intermediary, consultant, distributor or supplier that is not typically used by or known to us;
• you are offered an unusually generous gift or offered lavish hospitality by a third party.

Data Protection

When an individual reports suspected instances of bribery or corruption, the company will process any personal data collected in accordance with its data protection policy. Data collected from the point at which an individual makes the report is held securely and accessed by, and disclosed to, individuals only for the purposes of dealing with the report of bribery.

Date: January 2025