Code of Conduct
INTRODUCTION
The objective of Ascencia Limited is maximising shareholder value through the establishment and maintenance of the highest standards of performance and conduct by its employees, and by the promotion of the knowledge and skills required for that purpose. It aims to win and retain clients by developing and providing products and services of high quality. An integral part of meeting its objectives is Ascencia Ltd’s code of professional conduct as set out below.
Professional Standards.
Ascencia Ltd provides a professional service to business, public and other undertakings, by:
- identifying and investigating problems concerned with strategy, policy, markets, organisation, procedures and methods
- formulating solutions for appropriate action by factual investigation and analysis with due regard for broader management and business implications
- discussing and agreeing with the client the most appropriate course of action
- providing assistance where required by the client to implement the solutions.
In rendering such services to all levels of management, Ascencia Ltd and its employees carry a heavy burden of responsibility and an obligation to maintain the highest standards of integrity and competence. Recognising this responsibility, Ascencia Ltd embodies within its Code of Professional Conduct those duties and obligations required of all its employees, which will ensure the highest standards of performance, and thereby enhance the reputation and public recognition of the profession, of Ascencia Ltd and of its employees.
The Code of Professional Conduct
Ascencia Ltd’s Code of Professional Conduct is structured on four basic principles dealing with:
- Meeting the client’s requirements
- Quality work
- Integrity, independence, objectivity
- Responsibility and professionalism
Definitions used in the Code
Employee - An employee, sub-contractor or director of Ascencia Ltd
Client - The person, firm or organisation with whom Ascencia Ltd makes an agreement or contract for the provision of services.
Ascencia Ltd - Ascencia Limited
The principles as set out by the board of Ascencia Ltd are as follows:
Meeting the client’s requirements
Ascencia Ltd shall regard the client’s requirements and interests as paramount at all times.
Competence
Ascencia Ltd will only accept work that Ascencia Ltd is qualified to perform and in which the client can be served effectively. Ascencia Ltd will not make any misleading claims and will provide references from other clients if requested.
Agreement on deliverables and fees
Ascencia Ltd shall agree formally with the client the scope, nature and deliverables of the services to be provided and the basis of remuneration in advance of commencing work, any subsequent revisions will be subject to prior discussion and agreement with the client.
Sub-contracting
Ascencia Ltd shall sub-contract work only with the prior agreement of the client, and, except where otherwise agreed, will remain responsible for the performance of the work.
Confidentiality
Ascencia Ltd will hold all information concerning the affairs of clients in the strictest confidence and will not disclose proprietary information obtained during the course of assignments.
Non-poaching
Ascencia Ltd will not invite or encourage any employee of a client for whom Ascencia Ltd is working to consider alternative employment, unless it is the purpose of the assignment.
Due care
Ascencia Ltd will make certain that advice, solutions and recommendations are based on thorough, impartial consideration and analysis of all available pertinent facts and relevant experience and are realistic, practicable and clearly understood by the client.
Communication
Ascencia Ltd will ensure that the client is kept fully informed about the progress of the assignment.
Ascencia Ltd will encourage and take note of any feedback provided by the client on the performance of the services of Ascencia Ltd.
Respect
Ascencia Ltd will act with courtesy and consideration toward the individuals contacted in the course of undertaking assignments.
Quality Work
Ascencia Ltd will always provide work for its clients at the highest quality
Consistency
Ascencia Ltd will ensure all work is carried out in line with its own quality procedures.
Quality of Consultants
The personal qualities required of a person to enable them to carry out these duties effectively and efficiently are:
- objectivity, impartiality and independence
- knowledge of management organisation and techniques
- consulting skills
- practical experience
- technical expertise
- exercise independence of thought and action
- hold affairs of their clients in strict confidence
- deal with management problems in perspective and give well balanced advice
- strive continuously to improve their professional skills and to maintain a high quality of advice
- advance the professional standards of management consulting
- uphold the honour and dignity of the profession
- maintain high standards of personal conduct
Integrity, independence, objectivity
Ascencia Ltd shall avoid any action or situation inconsistent with the professional obligations of Ascencia Ltd or which in any way might be seen to impair the integrity of Ascencia Ltd. In formulating advice and recommendations Ascencia Ltd will be guided solely by it’s objective view of the client’s best interests.
Disclosure
Ascencia Ltd will disclose at the earliest opportunity any special relationships, circumstances or business interests which might influence or impair, or could be seen by the client or others to influence or impair, the judgement of Ascencia Ltd or objectivity on a particular assignment.
Conflicts of interest
Ascencia Ltd shall not serve a client under circumstances, which are inconsistent with the professional obligations of Ascencia Ltd or which in any way might be seen to impair the integrity of Ascencia Ltd, wherever a conflict or potential conflict of interest arises, Ascencia Ltd shall, as the circumstances require, either withdraw from the assignment, remove the source of conflict or disclose and obtain the agreement of the parties concerned to the performance or continuance of the engagement.
Inducements
Ascencia Ltd shall not accept discounts, hospitality, commissions or gifts as an inducement to show favour to any person or body, nor attempt to obtain advantage by giving financial inducement to clients or client staff.
Privacy of information
Ascencia Ltd shall not use any confidential information about a client’s affairs, elicited during the course of an assignment for personal benefit or for the benefit of others outside the client organisation, there shall be no insider dealing or trading as legally defined or understood.
When required or appropriate Ascencia Ltd will establish specific methods of working which preserve the privacy of the client’s information.
Objectivity
Ascencia Ltd will advise the client of any significant reservations Ascencia Ltd may have about the client’s expectation of benefits from an engagement.
Ascencia Ltd will not indicate any short-term benefits at the expense of the long-term welfare of the client without advising the client of the implications.
Responsibility and Professionalism
Ascencia Ltd and its employees’ conduct shall at all times endeavour to enhance the standing and public recognition of the profession of Ascencia Ltd
Professional Affiliation
All employees of Ascencia Ltd are encouraged to be affiliated to relevant professional bodies
Continuing Professional Development
Ascencia Ltd will participate in Continuing Professional Development in order to ensure that the knowledge and skills Ascencia Ltd offers to clients is kept up to date.
Ascencia Ltd will encourage its management consultants for whom Ascencia Ltd is responsible to maintain and advance their competence by participating in Continual Professional Development and to obtain membership of professional bodies.
Professional obligations to others
Ascencia Ltd shall have respect for the professional obligations and qualifications of all others with whom Ascencia Ltd works.
Ascencia Ltd referring a client to another management consultant will not misrepresent the qualifications of the other management consultant, nor make any commitments for the other management consultant.
Ascencia Ltd accepting an assignment for a client knowing that another management consultant is serving the client will ensure that any potential conflict between assignments is brought to the attention of the client.
When asked by a client to review the work of another professional, Ascencia Ltd will exercise the objectivity, integrity and sensitivity required in all technical and advisory conclusions communicated to the client.
Fees
Ascencia Ltd will negotiate agreements and charges for professional services only in a manner approved as ethical and professional
Publicity
Ascencia Ltd, in publicising work or making representations to a client, shall ensure that the information given:
- is factual and relevant;
- is neither misleading nor unfair to others
- is not otherwise discreditable to the profession
Personal Conduct
An employee of Ascencia Ltd shall be a fit and proper person to carry on the profession of management consultancy.
An employee of Ascencia Ltd shall at all times be of good reputation and character.
An employee of Ascencia Ltd shall maintain a high standard of dress code whilst on an assignment.
Respect for Others
We are committed to a programme of action to make our equal opportunities policy fully effective.
It is our policy to treat all individuals with respect and dignity.
Work Choice - A Flexible Way to Work
Ascencia ensures that it’s people balance the demands of work and personal responsibilities. Therefore, where business needs allow, regardless of their reasons, employees working arrangements will include varying standard hours and home working.
Health Lifestyle
We encourage staff to follow a healthy lifestyle and as such will always try to provide suitable accommodation when working away from home.
Dress Code
Ascencia Ltd has a modern, relaxed environment where their people can perform to the best of their abilities. It is up to our employees what they choose to wear. Therefore Ascencia has no specific dress code. The only guidelines are that staff take into account the needs and expectations of their clients and their jobs. When working on client sites we expect our employees to mirror the dress code of the client.