Rogers & Norton's Commercial Teams held a
workshop on The Bribery Act 2010 at its
office on 9 February 2011.
The Act was due to come into force on 1st April 2011 but has been suspended until 2012. However, speakers Peter Hastings and Lauren Coleman explained to the appreciative audience that the changes due will affect many clients and introducers in the everyday running of their business, with tough penalties such as unlimited fines and imprisonment for business owners and directors found guilty of bribery offences being introduced. Peter added "Ignorance will be no defence - directors will still be liable and must have demonstrable, active anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies and procedures in place. " Lauren advised the audience that "commercial organisations must incorporate anti-corruption elements into their code of conduct, risk management, due diligence, decision making, procurement and contract management, employee vetting and disciplinary procedures. The organisation must ensure relevant staff are appropriately trained in these areas. Organisations should establish gifts and hospitality policies and registers".
One of the attendees commented " Thank you for last night's presentation which answered several questions that are likely to arise in the various worlds that I work in. It gave a clear idea of the consequences of not having procedures and policies in place - so, as part of the ISO9001 quality system ,that I work on I shall be drafting some policies for my MD to look at as a matter of some urgency.Thank you for arranging the event".
The firm will be organising a series of workshops for businesses and directors and private clients, and also aimed at particular sectors including the construction and healthcare sectors.
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