Corporate Social Responsibility Policy and Sustainability

Introduction

This policy sets out the Leadership Foundation’s approach in respect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.

As a registered charity with a defined mission, the Leadership Foundation’s social responsibility is discharged largely through its educational activities. However, it is appropriate to establish a policy in respect of certain other general areas, to complement its core charitable activities.

Values

Our stated values are as follows:

professionalism, transparency and accountability ;
respecting equality and diversity;
commitment to services of the highest quality;
appreciation of the diversity of individual higher education institutions;
responsiveness to our stakeholders, throughout the UK and abroad.

We shall endeavour to adhere to our values in all of our activities, and we shall strive to be an exemplar of good practice.

Further, we shall encourage our stakeholders and communities to adopt appropriate socially responsible policies and practices

Inclusion and diversity

Through our charitable activities, we shall undertake a range of initiatives to promote inclusion and diversity in the higher education sector; these will sometimes be in partnership with other organisations and sometimes with the Leadership Foundation acting as principal.

Environment

The Leadership Foundation’s environmental policy is as follows.

We shall encourage environmental responsibility amongst our stakeholders, including clients, contracts, suppliers, and staff.
We shall conduct our operations in a way which minimises our consumption of natural resources and manages waste through responsible disposal and the reuse and recycling of materials where economically feasible.
We shall comply with all legal requirements.
We shall include environmental considerations in our purchasing and procurement processes
We shall regularly review our progress in relation to this policy.

The Leadership Foundation’s environmental action plan is as follows:-

Community Involvement

We shall work with Camden Education Partnership, and encourage staff to participate in relevant schemes.

We shall encourage staff to take up Board/Advisory positions with local charities and third sector organisations.

Charitable

The Leadership Foundation will encourage its staff to take two working days each year to undertake voluntary/charitable work (by agreement with line managers).

The Leadership Foundation also allows its staff to take reasonable time off to act as Board Members (or similar) for charitable/not-for-profit organisations.

It is not appropriate for the Leadership Foundation, as a registered charity, to make financial donations to other charitable causes.

Where appropriate, the Leadership Foundation will make information available to staff about methods of tax-effective giving to charities.

Citizenship

The Leadership Foundation will allow its staff to undertake all normal civic duties, including jury service, membership of public authorities, etc., as long as such duties do not prevent/limit proper performance of staff duties with the Leadership Foundation, or otherwise conflict with the Leadership Foundation’s objectives.

Annex to the Leadership Foundation’s CSR policy: Environmental Action Plan

Waste management

We arrange for waste paper to be recycled, via the services provided by our office management company.
We arrange for printer cartridges to be recycled.

Transport and travel

Where possible we shall use public transport in preference to personally owned cars.
We shall minimise the use of air travel
We shall make arrangements for loans to staff for cycle purchase. We have access to shower/changing facilities for staff. Some designated cycle parking is possible nearby.

Raw materials and supplies

We shall ask key suppliers to provide copies of their environmental policies.
Where possible, we shall use recycled or environmentally friendly paper in our printers.
We shall invite staff to reduce unnecessary paper usage – where appropriate including double-sided printing, and photo-reduction
We shall encourage the suppliers of our serviced offices to adopt environmentally friendly policies and practices.

Energy usage

We shall minimise our use of electricity, by ensuring appliances are turned off when not in use.

Staff involvement and contribution

We shall adopt an inclusive approach to our environmental practice, inviting staff suggestions, comments, and actions.

Customers and external influence

Through our programmes, we shall take steps to encourage our clients to adopt positive environmental policies.

Annual review

We shall review our policy and practice at least annually, at Senior Management level.