Business standards and anti-corruption are one of the major areas of IBLF’s work with companies.
Corruption costs the world economy $1 trillion per annum. Countering it simply makes good business sense - it lowers the cost of operation, improves accountability, protects a company's reputation and above all creates a level playing field for competition. IBLF's activities include:
- Helping companies develop and implement anti-corruption policies
- Creating 'in-country collective corporate action' programmes
- Putting in place ethical governance structures and codes of conduct
- Researching and documenting examples of good corporate practices
IBLF's in-country activities:
Russia: IBLF is highly active around the anti-corruption agenda in Russia, where it began work in this area with the ‘Corporate Governance in Practice’ initiative in 2007 (a series of executive roundtables run in conjunction with KPMG, Ernst & Young and Baker & McKenzie).
We currently run the 'Improving Business Standards in Russia' programme which brings together Russian and international companies to exchange experience in implementing corporate governance initiatives and reducing the cost of corruption. Additionally, IBLF co-organises an annual conference for business leaders on improving the effectiveness of independent directors on Russian Boards, and has co-hosted the Third Annual Russia Legal Forum in London with the US Russia Business Council. Over the past few years, IBLF has hosted more than 60 high-profile events on anti-corruption in Russia. Contact Brook Horowitz to find out more.
UK: IBLF serves as the co-Secretariat for the UN Global Compact in the UK and has advised Corporate Partners such as Unilever, Shell, Diageo and Nestlé on their engagement in the Compact. This includes interpreting implications, internal communication and action programmes. Contact Stephen Kenzie to find out more.
"IBLF’s excellent advice, facilitation and support has enabled the only on-going initiative tackling the issue of business corruption in China."
Prof. Dong Keyong, Dean, School of Public Administration, Renmin University
China: Via the China Business Leaders Forum, and in collaboration with Renmin University of China, IBLF has been convening regular meetings since early-2005 for leaders of Chinese and foreign companies to come together to share good business practice. Contact Jun Cao to find out more.
India: In November 2011, IBLF launched the "Business Standards for Smart Growth" programme in India to help companies curb corruption. With a steering group of senior executives from leading Indian businesses and MNCs with a presence in India, it will offer learning and exchange between company leadership and compliance teams. It is focused on companies that want to reduce the risk of corruption in their business and markets. Contact Joe Phelan to find out more.