BIID | Update
NO MORE KICK-BACKS BIID LAUNCHED ITS NEW CAMPAIGN TO END BRIBERY IN INTERIOR DESIGN BACK IN DECEMBER 2019, LOOKING AT ENDING UNETHICAL PRACTICES IN THE INDUSTRY The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) is launching a new national anti-bribery
the practice receives corporate hospitality • Ifdoes it need internal guidelines on the sort of
The BIID’s campaign to Kick Out The Kick-Backs is being backed by John Penrose, the Prime
campaign, Kick Out The Kick-Backs, aimed at
entertainment or gifts that are acceptable and
Minister’s Anti-Corruption Champion for Boris
stamping out unethical practices in the interior
those that are not?
Johnson and Theresa May, who commented;
design industry. Launched on international anti-corruption day (9 December 2019), the campaign offers advice to interior designers on how to recognise bribery from suppliers and what they can do to ensure they have robust processes in place, which can identify a potential criminal offence under the 2010 Bribery Act. Harriet Forde, President of the BIID commented: “The purpose of the Kick Out The Kick-Backs campaign is to stamp out illegal business practices that damage the entire profession in order to foster a more honest and ethical design industry. The BIID is not aiming to impose a one-size-fits-all business model on the UK interior design profession, and we recognise that different clients, regions and sectors may have
due diligence does the practice carry • What out on new business partners?
“The purpose of the campaign is to stamp out illegal business practices that damage the entire professionâ€? the management of the practice taking • Isa lead on anti-bribery? Is it communicating
“Acting with integrity and transparency and refusing to participate in a culture of ‘kickbacks’ means good businesses will grow faster, because they have a level playing field to compete on. Corruption isn’t just illegal, it creates economic distortions that make businesses less competitive and reduce living standards – particularly for the least powerful and well-off. This Anti-Corruption Day, check your business has adequate processes to prevent your staff unwittingly participating in bribery. Everyone does better when trading with integrity is the norm, everywhere and all the time.� National organisations supporting the campaign include: Anti-Copying In Design (ACID), Association of Consultant Architects (ACA), Association for Project Management (APM), British Institute of Kitchen Bedroom and
different fee structures. However, we believe that
a clear zero-tolerance message? Has
Bathroom Installation (BIKBBI), Chartered Institute
greater transparency between designers and
it assessed the business’ susceptibility
of Building (CIOB), The Furniture Ombudsman,
clients will lead to better working relationships
to bribery? Has it put in place clear and
National Association of Shopfitters and
that benefit designers, suppliers and clients alike.�
proportionate policies and procedures to deal
Contractors (NAS).
The BIID recommends that all interior design
with this risk?
practices, whatever business model they use, review their own internal processes to ensure that they have relevant checks in place to avoid bribery and corruption. Questions design practices should ask include: the practice use third party agents to • Does introduce new business and/or negotiate on its behalf? If so, the bribery risk is likely to be greater.
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February 2020 Interior Designer
employees need to be trained on • Do bribery risks? the practice’s remuneration and • Could incentive arrangements and practices potentially cause or lead to corrupt behaviour? Are your financial controls able to pick up any unusual or unexplained payments?
www.biid.org.uk.
