Last updated: 22 May 2025
Introduction
At BKL, we are committed to conducting business operations responsibly and ethically, be that in the advice we give as accountants or our daily operations.
As a business, one of our core values is to Do the right thing; we value fairness, honesty, and integrity above all else. And as a certified B Corporation, we are committed to making responsible decisions for our clients, our people, the environment and society.
As part of this commitment, we want to make sure that we are working with suppliers that share our values and uphold similar principles in their own operations. Our aim is to source suppliers that are fellow B Corps or who are socially and environmentally responsible businesses and can demonstrate an ongoing positive impact.
However, we recognise that becoming a responsible business is an ever-evolving process and that everybody is at varying stages in their journey. If you have concerns that aspects of your business may not adhere to BKL’s Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”), we welcome an open and honest conversation to address them.
We have developed our Code to guide our suppliers on aspects of our procurement process and to highlight some areas of particular importance to BKL in relation to how we’d like suppliers to employ responsible practices in their businesses.
By working together to ensure responsible practices across all areas of business, we can have a much larger and longer lasting impact. We thank you for your cooperation and support and we look forward to building a strong and sustainable partnership with you.
Engaging with and encouraging socially responsible practices
BKL is committed to continually enhancing its responsible business practices and seeks to collaborate with suppliers who align with our values. The following aspects are of particular importance to us:
Fair wages
At BKL, we believe in fair and equitable compensation for all workers. We pay at least the Living Wage and ask that our suppliers do the same. Suppliers based in the UK must pay the Living Wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation. Those operating in London must meet the London Living Wage, and suppliers outside the UK must adhere to the appropriate international equivalent.
Paying fair wages is a fundamental part of responsible business practice, and we expect our suppliers to demonstrate ongoing commitment to this principle.
Labour standards
We believe in upholding ethical standards throughout our supply chain, including labour practices. Suppliers must comply with all applicable labour laws and regulations and ensure that no workers are employed below the legal minimum age in their country of operation.
Suppliers must not engage in any form of forced labour, human trafficking or modern slavery. All work must be voluntary, and workers must be free to leave their employment after reasonable notice. Suppliers are expected to undertake appropriate due diligence to identify, prevent and address risks of modern slavery within their own operations and supply chains.
Suppliers must also provide safe and healthy working conditions and appropriate breaks. Employees must not be subjected to exploitative conditions, and suppliers must comply with local laws regarding working hours, rest periods and overtime compensation.
Environmental impact
We recognize the urgent need to address environmental challenges and mitigate our impact on the planet. As part of our sustainability efforts, we are working diligently to measure our carbon footprint and waste generation. Our goal is to then implement strategies to reduce these environmental impacts.
We understand that measuring carbon emissions can be a challenging process. However, it is important to BKL that our suppliers are taking steps to monitor and reduce their own environmental impact and carbon footprint.
Diversity and inclusion
At BKL, we believe that diverse working environments drive creativity and innovative thinking. We value different backgrounds and experiences, as they lead to varied perspectives and better outcomes. We take pride in being an inclusive workplace and expect our suppliers to promote diversity and inclusion within their own organizations. This includes recruiting, training and promoting individuals from diverse backgrounds and actively encouraging diversity in their supply chains.
Ethical business practices
Suppliers should uphold the highest standards of ethics to promote honesty and integrity in business operations, including:
Compliance with laws and regulations: Suppliers should comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries where they operate. This includes, but is not limited to, labour laws, corporate standards and health and safety standards.
Anti-corruption: Suppliers should conduct their business with integrity and in accordance with anti-corruption laws. Bribery, graft and any form of corrupt practices are strictly prohibited.
Information security and data protection: Suppliers must ensure that confidential client information is not disclosed to another individual without our advance written consent. Suppliers should also comply with all applicable data privacy and protection laws and regulations.
Environmental compliance: Suppliers should adhere to all applicable environmental laws, regulations and standards and obtain all necessary permits and licenses.
Implementation and concerns
We understand the work it takes to become a responsible business and recognise that it is an ongoing process. If you have concerns that aspects of your business may not adhere to BKL’s Code, we welcome an open and honest conversation to address them.
If we believe a supplier to be in significant breach or violation of our Code, we would expect the supplier to cooperate and provide additional information, for us to decide whether they are compliant or not.
If we determine the supplier is not in compliance, then the remedies may include, among other things, termination of business with BKL or the development and implementation of a corrective action plan that would need to be implemented within a certain fixed period.