Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policy

The purpose of this policy is to set out the responsibilities of Evolve in observing and upholding our position on bribery and corruption. 

All Company personnel are expected to conduct company business in a legal and ethical manner. The Company should not use illegal payments, bribes, kickbacks or other questionable inducements to influence government policy or any business transaction. The use of Company funds or assets for any unlawful, improper or unethical purpose is prohibited. In the conduct of business, all employees must avoid making payments that may be or may be perceived to be improper. Specifically, the Company prohibits bribery by any of its employees or agents. 

This policy applies to Evolve employees (staff, contract and temporary). Where we have a minority interest we will encourage the application of this policy amongst our business partners including contractors, suppliers and joint venture partners. 

The board of directors have the responsibility for implementing this policy. 

The Company values its reputation for ethical behaviour and for financial integrity and reliability. It recognises that over and above the commission of any crime, any involvement in bribery will also reflect adversely on its image and reputation. Its aim therefore is to limit its exposure to bribery by: ​

• Setting out a clear anti-bribery policy; 

• Encouraging its employees to be vigilant and to report any suspicion of bribery, providing them with suitable channels of communication and ensuring sensitive information is treated appropriately; 

• Requiring all employees to act honestly and with integrity at all times and to safeguard the Company resources for which they are responsible; 

• Ensuring transactions are properly and accurately recorded; 

• Rigorously investigating instances of alleged bribery and assisting the police and other appropriate authorities in any resultant prosecution; 

• Taking firm and vigorous action against any individual(s) involved in bribery. 

Evolve prohibits: ​

• the offering, the giving, the solicitation or the acceptance of any bribe, whether cash or other inducement 

to or from

• any person or company, wherever they are situated and whether they are a public official or body or private person or company 

by 

• any individual employee, agent or other person or body acting on the Company’s behalf 

in order to

• gain any commercial, contractual or regulatory advantage for Evolve in a way which is unethical 

or in order to 

• gain any personal advantage, pecuniary or otherwise, for the individual or anyone connected with the individual ​

Evolve recognises that market practice varies across the territories in which it does business and what is normal and acceptable in one place may not be in another. This policy prohibits any inducement which results in a personal gain or advantage to the recipient or any person or body associated with them, and which is intended to influence them to take action which may not be solely in the interests of the Company or of the person or body employing them or whom they represent. 

This policy is not meant to prohibit the following practices providing they are customary in a particular market, are proportionate and are properly recorded: 

• normal and appropriate hospitality 

• the giving of a ceremonial gift on a festival or at another special time ​

Inevitably, decisions as to what is acceptable may not always be easy. If anyone is in doubt as to whether a potential act constitutes bribery, the matter should be referred to the Directors before proceeding.