Introduction

About Broadsword

We are an award-winning event communication agency delivering live and virtual experiences for clients around the world with offices in Hong Kong, London, and New York. Our agency offering is end-to-end, from strategy and creative, to content creation and moving image, production, digital and logistics, all joined together with seamless project management. As an agency, we believe in doing the right thing – for our people, our clients, our industry, and our planet. Being a responsible business powers our creativity and inspires our team.

 

About this document

At Broadsword, we believe acting ethically and responsibly is a requirement of us as a business and a requirement of our employees. We believe this requirement also extends to our suppliers who provide goods and services to, or on behalf of Broadsword.

Broadsword is committed to only doing business with suppliers that comply with applicable and controlling laws and regulations, and with standards of business conduct that are in line with those detailed within this Broadsword Supplier Code of Conduct (herein referenced as ​“Code of Conduct”)

This Code of Conduct applies globally and describes Broadsword’s expectations of its suppliers in the areas of corporate social responsibility, labour standards and practice, and business integrity.

 

Environmental Responsibility

Broadsword is committed to reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and reducing our waste footprint, both within our organisation, and when delivering events. Supplier appointments are reviewed on both cost and environmental performance.

Broadsword’s policy covering our Net Zero goals, commitment to The Circular Economy, monitoring and reporting, and accountability can be found on our website.

Broadsword encourages our supply chain to adopt similar environmental and sustainability practices.

 

Labour Standards and Practice

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Broadsword is committed to encouraging diversity and eliminating discrimination in both its role as an employer and as a provider of services. Our policy is to provide equity and fairness for all in our employment and in our provision of services and not to discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, or gender reassignment. Respecting diversity supports our aim of creating a caring and enjoyable environment at Broadsword.

These principles apply equally to the way staff members treat, and are treated by visitors, clients, customers, suppliers, and anyone else who staff members meet in the workplace and at any work-related events. Diversity is about valuing and embracing the differences in people, whether that relates to any of the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010 or any other aspect of people’s background or personality that is not covered in legislation.

While Broadsword respects cultural differences, suppliers must treat its employees and anyone else with the highest level of respect and maintain a harassment and discrimination free workplace, complying to local laws and regulations relating to equality.

 

Pay and Benefits

Broadsword is committed to ensuring that:

• We regularly benchmark salaries in the marketplace.
• We recognise individual performance and reward employees for their performance and contribution.
• Individuals are not discriminated against because of gender, marital or civil partnerships, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity or because they work part-time.
• We will pay at least the real London Living Wage or the real Regional Living Wage according to where our team are based.

Broadsword suppliers must provide its employees with wages and benefits that at minimum meet with local laws and regulations and pay employees based on their skills, experience and performance regardless of gender, marital or civil partnerships, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity or because they work part-time. Supplier employees must be provided with clear and written information about their wages and benefits.

 

Modern Slavery & Child Labour

Broadsword is committed to taking actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its business, and to put in place steps that are aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its own business and its supply chains.

As part of the events industry, Broadsword recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking.

Broadsword is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities, and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

We are firmly against child labour and follow international rules to ensure children are not exploited.

Broadsword suppliers must comply with all laws and regulations relating to slavery, forced labour and human trafficking such as the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015. Broadsword expects its suppliers to develop a clear and public commitment to ethical sourcing and a zero-tolerance policy for slavery and human trafficking within their supply chain. Suppliers must not hire anyone under the legal working age in their country. Any teenagers above the legal age must be working in a safe environment and have access to education.

 

Working Environment and Wellbeing

Broadsword has legal obligations under health and safety legislation to manage to manage risks to the health and safety of employees. In addition to reducing safety risks, this means operating the business in a way that minimises harm to employees’ mental health.

Broadsword has put in place measures to prevent and manage risks to employee wellbeing, together with appropriate training and individual support. It will also seek to foster a mentally healthy culture by incorporating these principles into line manager training and running regular initiatives to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing at work.

Broadsword suppliers must comply with all local laws and regulations relating to wellbeing including health and safety. They must provide a healthy and safe working environment that promotes accident prevention and ensures the wellbeing of its employees is protected.

 

Business Integrity

Anti-Bribery and Corruption

Broadsword values its reputation and is committed to maintaining the highest level of ethical standards and integrity in the conduct of its business affairs including fair competition and strict compliance with antitrust laws. The actions and conduct of Broadsword’s employees as well as others acting on Broadsword’s behalf are key to maintaining these standards.

Broadsword will not tolerate bribery or corruption in any form.

Broadsword suppliers must comply with all local anti-bribery and corruption laws and regulations such as the UK Bribery Act. Suppliers must report any matter to the relevant authority, providing all necessary assistance to the relevant authorities in any subsequent prosecution.

Conflict of Interest

Broadsword place a high value on transparency, integrity, and the avoidance of conflict of interest across all aspects of business. We aim to be fair and honest in everything we do.

Broadsword suppliers should share this commitment and ensure any conflicts of interest are identified, disclosed to Broadsword, and managed over the course of their business relationship with Broadsword.

Information and Data Security

Broadsword, its employees, contractors, consultants, temporary and other workers are legally obligated to take steps to protect data (electronic and otherwise) collected, held, and processed by Broadsword, and to protect Broadsword’s computer systems, devices, infrastructure, computing environment, and any and all other relevant equipment from damage and threats whether internal, external, deliberate, or accidental.

Suppliers may have access to sensitive and/​or private information, data and materials owned by Broadsword or their employees, clients, contractors or suppliers.

Broadsword suppliers must comply with all applicable local requirements of data laws and legislation and protect confidential information which it is granted access to or otherwise processed on behalf of Broadsword or its customers.

Broadsword suppliers must comply with any provided policy documentation relating to information and data security.

 

Code of Conduct Violations

Broadsword may conduct supplier audits pertaining to this Code of Conduct. The supplier will be notified of any violations and where deemed necessary will be given the opportunity to remedy said violations.

Under certain circumstances such as multiple repeat violations or failure to remedy issues that have been raised, Broadsword may decide to cease working with the supplier.

Should you wish to raise a concern, please contact rob.sansom@wearebroadsword.com