We are committed to Environmental, Social and Governance principles. Our ESG Policy is embedded in our culture and ways of working. We believe our business can make a positive contribution to society and the environment by managing our activities with care and by working with responsible organisations that promote social and environmental causes.
We have action groups within the business, who are responsible for ensuring that ESG principles are part of the daily fabric of life at BWP.
Environment
BWP will respect the environment by minimising our impact on the world around us in a number of ways.
- Our company pool car is hybrid and available for use for company business for all staff aged 30 years old and over.
- Our building strives to reduce carbon emissions, we currently have an energy performance certificate rating of C.
- Staff are encouraged to walk and lift share.
- We work with a corporate travel provider to measure and manage our impact on the environment and have significantly reduced our carbon emissions through the use of video calling in recent years.
- Our Environmental Policy encourages the turning off of all equipment at the end of the day rather than leaving on standby to reduce energy usage.
- Our offices use energy efficient lightbulbs wherever possible. And all equipment where possible has energy saving mode to reduce energy usage.
- Our internal climate action group continuously work towards ways in which we can reduce our environmental impact.
Reducing waste
- We endeavour to reduce waste wherever possible. Our office has a range of recycling options including glass, paper, cardboard, plastic, cans and batteries.
- We have minimised the use of paper by moving to digital storage systems wherever possible.
- Discouraging use of printing wherever possible
- We only use licensed and appropriate organisations to dispose of waste
- We have increased our recycling of printer cartridges
A way of life
We ensure that we embed environmentally responsible practices into the way we work through consistent training of staff on our Environmental Policy and the integration of sustainability into all business decisions.
BWP sets quantitative targets for reducing our key environmental impacts. We aim to minimise the environmental impacts associated with the advertising and communications campaigns we create for clients.
Social
BWP has an unflinching focus on the individuals that make up the business. Our people are our greatest asset and every single person matters.
We are committed to ensuring they thrive in a safe and sustainable environment. We want to make a positive impact, not just on the businesses we work with but on the people in our team.
Diversity & Inclusivity
We embrace diversity in our business. We do not discriminate against anyone applying for a job for reasons of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or any other reason. Further to this, we are committed to increasing our presence in economically deprived areas delivering industry-focused talks in schools and colleges and offering student internships to foster an interest in marketing and to ensure we create opportunities where there are often none. We set out expected behaviour in our company handbook and have a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination. To support our employees in adhering to this, we undertake regular Equality, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training with The Diversity Trust.
Training & Development
We offer training and development opportunities to staff through our BWP Academy, our formal our formal professional development programme, which encompasses a calendar of internal and external training. Training can be discipline-based e.g., strategic development in junior staff or more practical skills such as smart working practices or policies and procedures.
External training is developed by professional training bodies and attendance is agreed in line with each staff member’s developmental goals. In terms of career development, we have smart measurable criteria, which outline the required actions, behaviours and proof points
required to progress to the next level. Each staff member is provided with a personal development plan and progress against this is monitored on a monthly basis and more formally twice a year.
We also have a coaching programme in place, which ensures we really understand the way each team member likes to work, and we work hard to ensure we adapt to best support their needs. We keep the lines of communication open and invite employees to share their throughts with the senior board on a monthly basis. Everyone has a voice at BWP.
Wellbeing
We will provide a safe and civilised workplace free from sexual harassment or offensive behaviour and which supports and sustains our employees. Wellbeing is very important to BWP.
We work with Pro-Counselling Limited, which is one of the leading Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providers. The business supports employees across the UK via an online portal of qualified therapists on hand 24/7. These therapists are all UK-based and qualified to British standards. We have our own wellbeing space through which staff can access and connect with a therapist most suited to their needs and arrange counselling sessions. The platform allows for complete anonymity and the agency receives a monthly bill for time spent. We feel providing access to additional support is an important part of our focus on the individual wellbeing of our staff.
We utilise a wellbeing platform called Open Blend, which allows for monthly individual coaching and training sessions in any matters decreed as important by the staff member whether inside or outside of work. The premise is that staff do not leave their personal issues at the door and that being aware of these and supporting through coaching will help to grow resilience and ensure a more rounded wellness. This platform also requires staff to share a monthly stress rating. We receive regular training for effective use of the platform, which includes guidance on how to spot and coach staff through periods of stress.
In addition, we invest in formal mental health training such as Get Mental Health First Aid training and ongoing manager training through the Global Leadership Academy.
Health & Safety
The health and safety of our employees and is paramount and we take responsibility for the health and safety of our employees seriously. We have trained fire marshalls and first aiders including mental health first aiders. We conduct regular health & safety training including lifting and manual handling and assessments by posture experts.
Human Rights
BWP will uphold the principles contained in the United Nations Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation’s fundamental conventions on core labour standards.
We support the right of our people and their families to basic human rights, including
the right to organise, the right to collective bargaining, the right to fair conditions of work, freedom of opinion and expression and freedom from forced labour and child labour.
CSR
BWP supports local communities and charitable organisations through direct fundraising donation and pro-bono work. We offer all staff two fully paid days to volunteer for charitable organisations each year. Recent charitable endeavours have included:
- Litter picking in the local area
- Maintenance and repairs at local children’s activity charity
- Sports-based challenges raising funds for chosen charity partners
- Coffee mornings and clothes swaps
- Sponsored events – walks and runs
Our chosen charity for 2024 is CALM. STANDING TOGETHER, UNITED AGAINST SUICIDE
Governance
We are committed to carrying out our business in a fair honest and open manner ensuring we comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
Specific policies around fraud, bribery and whistleblowing are all contained with the employee handbook and company intranet. Regular training is held and compliance is monitored. In all our relationships we will be open, honest and transparent and will not pay or receive bribes or inducements of any kind.
Marketing ethics
We commit to:
- Comply with applicable regulations and self-regulatory codes of practice in the countries in which we operate
- Not knowingly create work which contains statements, suggestions or images offensive to general public decency and will give appropriate consideration to the impact of our work on minority segments of the population, whether that minority be by race, religion, national origin, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability.
- Not undertake work designed to mislead in any respect, including social, environmental and human rights issues.