At times we see media reports in which large and respected organisations with strong global brands are accused of and implicated in corruption and unethical conduct. This has devastating effects on the brands and reputations of these organisations and poses a threat to the livelihoods of employees and other stakeholders of these organisations who may not be involved in or had no control over the alleged unethical conduct. The Aurecon Group Pty Ltd (AGPL) Board has adopted an Ethics Policy as one of its six Core Policies. The Ethics Policy states the following:  

A key Aurecon value is “acting with integrity and honesty”.

Aurecon is committed to:

• Acting with integrity in all that it does
• Ensuring that its directors, senior managers and employees act honestly and with integrity in all their dealings for Aurecon
• Ensuring the upmost integrity in its financial reporting
• Establishing a culture of transparency through disclosure
• Making its directors, senior managers, employees and contractors responsible for raising concerns about and reporting unethical conduct or suspected unethical conduct without fear of recrimination

Read Aurecon’s Code of Conduct and Ethics policy

Aurecon protects and fosters a culture of integrity. Individually and collectively.  All employees subscribe to Aurecon’s Code of Conduct and Ethics. Aurecon has a suite of Integrity Policies and Procedures that provide clear direction on Aurecon’s expectations regarding ethical business conduct. This includes the following policies:

• Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Fraud Policy
• Gifts and Entertainment Policy
• Whistle Blower Policy

Supporting these policies is Aurecon’s online training for anti-bribery and anti-corruption and the Code of Conduct and Ethics, aimed at increasing awareness and strengthening Aurecon's culture.   

Aurecon’s management is responsible for developing a framework and system for the development, implementation and monitoring of integrity management processes.

Governance framework

Business ethics and integrity management form an integral part of Aurecon’s day-to-day governance and management activities. Aurecon’s chosen governance framework for risk, including integrity management, is shown below:  

Aurecon has a global Integrity Management Committee (IMC) overseeing the development and maintenance of Aurecon’s Integrity Management System.

The IMC is a group of senior executives and managers comprising:

1. Corporate Counsel, Company Secretary Aurecon South Africa (Chair)
2. General Counsel and Group Company Secretary
3. Chief Risk Officer
4. Head of Internal Audit

The IMC reports into the Risk, Opportunity and Reputation Committee and is responsible for managing the following key elements of Aurecon’s Integrity Management Framework:

• Integrity risk assessments
• Integrity management strategies
• Integrity management policies and procedures;
• Institutionalisation of integrity management
• Monitoring and reporting

Recent achievements

• Audit of Aurecon’s Anti-Fraud, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC), framework, performed by Aurecon’s Internal Audit function, to provide a baseline reference and assist in identifying key fraud and corruption framework risks requiring attention.
• Development of an interactive World Risk Map, by the Chief Risk Officer, which includes risks relating to bribery and corruption and guides employees to make prudent decisions in all geographies of Aurecon’s footprint.
• Review and update of Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy under the auspices of the IMC. Review carried out every two years.
• Online Code of Conduct and Ethics training is mandatory for all employees. A more detailed four-module anti-bribery and corruption course is mandatory for management. Refresher courses are required every three years, with completion tracked through Aurecon’s training management database.
• Implementation, in some of Aurecon’s regions, of protocols and procedures aimed at improving the assessment of vendors and introducing due diligence questionnaires and thorough background checks including legal/court judgements and political exposure. Vendors are required to commit to Aurecon’s Code of Conduct and Ethics as part of the vendor registration process.  
• Concerted effort to embed Aurecon’s Delegation of Authority Matrix which was adopted and rolled out in 2016. This Matrix contains clear approval levels in relation to matters such as donations and sponsorships.
• Development of a Communications Plan for 2018 by the IMC to ensure structured and focused engagement with the business about Integrity Management.

Current focus

• Development and roll out of a Conflicts of Interest Register
• Development of a Fraud and Corruption Control Plan
• Development and roll out of an eLearning Training Module and Workshop aimed at training Project Leaders in Integrity Management and business ethics
• Roll out of protocols and procedures relating to the assessment and verification of vendors across all Aurecon’s regions
• Continued development of all leaders to ensure they continue and improve their awareness of risks and ethics and have a strong “radar” for these matters
• Continued development of a culture where leaders are connected and consult with each other on challenges relating to risks and ethics
• Reviewing and updating the Whistle Blower Policy, including investigating options for an external independent whistle blower service.

“For the reporting period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 we have no knowledge of any incidents or legal action in respect of corruption, anti-competitive behaviour, anti-trust or monopoly practices,” Rosemary Peavey, Corporate Counsel and Company Secretary.