Corporate Social Responsibility

Introduction

First Response Group Ltd (“FRG”) is firmly committed to responsible business. Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) principles are fundamental to the Company’s strategy, steering the manner in which it operates.

To implement the UN Global Compact (“UNGC”) pact, which works to advance CSR within the UNGC’s four Areas of Focus; human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.

To achieve such advancement, the UNGC has developed the Ten Guiding Principles (as outlined below). FRG will use the Ten Guiding Principles in its CSR strategy and has committed to align itself with the UNGC’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Policy Statement

“FRG is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and human rights across all aspects of our operations and supply chains. We recognize the plague of modern slavery and human trafficking as objectionable violations of human dignity and fundamental freedoms”.

Purpose

This document sets out the policy for Corporate Social Responsibility as adopted by First Response Group and incorporates guidelines for implementing the policy. Our CSR policy reflects our Vision to “Create a safer and better world with security solutions that continuously push the boundaries of possibility and opportunity”.

It also aligns with our EPIC Values, and those of other organisations and nature. The social responsibility of a business is to give back to the world just as it gives to us.

Defining Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a business model where companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their operations and interactions with stakeholders. This includes initiatives aimed at benefiting society beyond profit maximisation, such as philanthropy, environmental sustainability, and ethical labour practices.

Declaration

Our CSR falls under three main categories – compliance, proactiveness and giving back. Referring to our commitment to legality and willingness to observe community values and practically promoting initiative to promote human rights and help communities and protect our environment.

Compliance

Legality

Our company will

• Respect and assist with upholding the law.
• Honour its internal policies.
• Ensure that all its business operations are legitimate.
• Keep every partnership and collaborations open and transparent.

Business Ethics

We’ll always conduct business with integrity and respect to human rights. We’ll promote.

• Safety and fair dealing
• Respect toward all
• Anti-bribery and anti-corruption practices

Protecting the environment

Our Environmental Policy Statement is regularly reviewed and forms part of our audits.

Protecting People

We’ll ensure that we

• Don’t risk the health and safety of our employees and communities.
• Support Diversity and Inclusion

Our company is dedicated to protecting human rights. We are committed to equal opportunities and will abide by all employment rights.

UNGC’s Ten Guiding Principals

Human Rights

Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour Standards

Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment

Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption

Principle 10: Businesses should work against all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery.

UNGC’s Sustainable Development Goals

Values

FRG aims to be the supplier of choice for customers, providing innovative, value for money security services, driven by an inherent focus on customer-care.
FRG strives to future-proof its business in accordance with sustainable principles, working in close partnership with its clients in order to support them in achieving their own environmental objectives.
FRG is committed to the ongoing evaluation of its own supply-chain performance, and to working with suppliers who are able to demonstrate good corporate social practice.
FRG has adopted a Business Ethics Policy that is applied throughout the company and all subsidiaries, ensuring a consistent commitment to ethical best practices.

Empowerment

FRG are committed to staff development through training, promotion allowing staff to self-develop through personal growth, by supplying the tools to allow them to realise their aspirations.

Providing the pathways for them to safely report any concerns of issues without prejudice in line with our whistleblowing policy.

Passion

FRG is committed to identifying new ways of reducing its impact on the environment and prides itself on innovation, responsibly achieved through the ongoing implementation of energy efficiencies, and continuous promotion of environmentally friendly waste and recycling solutions.
FRG maintains environmental awareness as a core topic, and common mindset, throughout its organisation.
FRG are passionate about removing poverty from our workforce through the payment of wages in line with our Living Wage Foundation Commitment

Community

FRG aims to create a happy and safe place to work, where employees feel both valued and valuable. The company recognises the importance of investing in its people and promoting talent.
FRG is committed to maintaining and developing a safe and healthy workforce. It respects equality and diversity, whilst embracing the highest standards of ethical behaviour.
FRG values the opportunity to give something back to both society and the wider community, through initiatives that encourage volunteering by staff and projects supported by FRG.
FRG has established clear channels for charitable giving via the adoption of local, national and international charities or projects such as education.

Proactive

Disability Confident Committed

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Business, first becoming accredited in 2022; we are consistently pushing to better diversify our business and make the most of the talents all people can bring to our workplace.

By becoming Disability Confident Committed, we:

• Challenge attitudes towards disability
• Increase understanding of disability
• Remove barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
• Ensure that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations

Living Wage Foundation

We are a Recognised Service Provider proudly working with the Living

Wage Foundation to promote the real Living Wage. We believe in paying as the minimum a real living wage to our staff, who carry out vital work for many organisations, and therefore always provide a Living Wage costed bid to all our clients. This gives our clients the chance to decide if the Living Wage is right for their organisation.

FRG are members of the Leeds Living Wage Action Group, a strategic working group focused on establishing Leeds as a Living Wage City.

In recognition to our commitment to the Living Wage movement FRG have been elected to the Recognised Service Providers Leadership Group.

Armed Forces Covenant

FRG recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. In recognition of the commitment demonstrated by those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families FRG are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. For more information on how you can support our Armed Forces please visit the Armed Forces Covenant website.

Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) Construction Protocol

As a provider of Key Front-Line workers to the Construction Industry FRG are signatories of
the GLAA Construction Protocol.

Supply Chain Sustainability School: Gold

Launched in 2012, the Supply Chain Sustainability School is a free learning environment, upskilling those working within, or aspiring to work within, the built environment sector. FRG have been working with the School since 2016 and are proud to be the first Security Contractor to achieve Gold status.

The school focuses on 17 key topics of sustainability, as well as addressing topics in Labour Supply, Equality & Diversity, Environmental, Social Value and much more. Membership is free and signing up is easy. Membership gives access to thousands of learning resources and CPD-accredited content. The School also offers CPD training and networking events across the UK

People Matter Charter

As part of our continued work with the Supply Chain Sustainability School we are signatories of the People Matter Charter.

Why have we signed the Charter? As an employer and labour supply business we are employing people & working with organisations who employ people for us. As a result, we have responsibilities associated with people, from recruitment to development and retention. It is apparent to us that going beyond treating people as a commodity helps us to attract the talent that is out there, and by supporting them to grow we are growing.

By signing the People matter Charter we are demonstrating our commitment to engaging and developing our workforce and are supporting the industry to improve labour standards throughout the supply chain.

Our Charities, Volunteering and Giving Committee (CVGC)

FRG values the opportunity to give something back to both society and the wider community, through initiatives that encourage volunteering by staff and projects supported by FRG.

FRG has established clear channels for charitable giving via the adoption of local, national and international charities or projects such as education.

This agenda has been driven by both corporate initiatives and community activity, enabling the opportunity for all stakeholder participation.

Our Charities, Volunteering and Giving Committee (CVGC) plays a pivotal role in overseeing all charitable endeavours and administering our workplace volunteering initiative. The committee is responsible for reviewing and approving employee proposals for volunteering activities, ensuring that each initiative aligns with our company values and makes a meaningful impact on the community.

Responsibility

The Senior Leadership Team of FRG hold collective responsibility for this policy and are committed to ensuring universal adherence. This policy and statement will be reviewed at regular intervals ensuring it is both relevant to, and consistent with, the ongoing development of the Company.

For 2024 – 2027 FRG will also adopt ten of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals as its focus and will look to increase this number year on year focus; eventually achieving alignment on all seventeen. FRG will produce a CSR Report on an annual basis to reflect our aspirational targets and our achievements.

The target for 2024 – 2027 is to demonstrate measurable advancement and activity in each of the following areas within the framework of the Cornerstones of Commitment. FRG is committed to achieving its goals through the dedication of the Divisional Leads in each of our business sectors.

Relevant Policies

The organisation operates the following policies that describe its approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in its operations:
Employee Concerns (Whistleblowing) Policy: The organisation encourages all stakeholders to report any concerns related to the direct activities. This can include any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. FRG’s policy is designed to make it easy for workers to make disclosures, without fear of retribution. Employees, customers, or others who have concerns can report any activities associated to slavery and human trafficking by contacting their immediate line manager, Human Resources or confidentially to the Managing Director via the website.

Employee Code of Conduct: FRG’s code makes it clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the organisation. FRG strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour.

Supplier/Procurement Code of Conduct: FRG is committed to ensuring that its suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethics. Suppliers are required to demonstrate that they provide safe working conditions where necessary, treat workers with dignity and respect, and act ethically and within the law in their use of labour. As part of the supply chain selection process all potential and existing suppliers are required to complete a supplier questionnaire to assess their suitability as a supplier. Within the supplier questionnaire all suppliers are required to provide evidence of their compliance towards Labour Standards and the Asylum & Immigration Act 2006.

This enables the procurement team to identify any potential risks to the quality of the service provision or goods being provided by the supplier and prevent any slavery or human trafficking. All suppliers are audited against the supplier code of conduct.

Recruitment Policy: FRG only employs people on a permanent or temporary PAYE contractual basis. Prior to commencement of employment all employees are subject to right to work, residency, competence cards/certificates and employment checks in accordance with the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and British standards Quality Management System procedures.

The Recruitment Policy is compliant to all EU and UK legislation, including the minimum wage and therefore is not at risk of slavery and human trafficking.

Anti-Bribery/Fraud Policy: FRG’s Anti Bribery Policy aims to prevent any form bribery being committed within the organisation and by any stakeholder(s) associated with its
business. We foster a culture of integrity where bribery is unacceptable. This policy is communicated to all employees and forms part of the induction programme.

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Act: At FRG, we stand firm in our resolve to contribute to the global efforts in eradicating modern slavery and human trafficking, and we call upon all stakeholders to join us in this essential endeavour.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Policy: First Response Group Ltd employs a wide and diverse population of staff and this very diversity is one of the company’s greatest strengths. In order to consolidate and build upon this diversity, it is essential that equality of opportunity and the absence of unfair discrimination be at the core of all the company’s activities.

Monitoring and Review

This policy will be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure with compliance with current legislation and best practices. The review process will consider feedback from security personnel and the public.