This Policy applies to all individuals working for Multiverse Group Limited (Multiverse, our), including directors, temporary and permanent employees.
This Policy covers our corporate approach to Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) issues as driven by the company directly, and sets out the way in which Multiverse ensures that all of its activities positively affect society as a whole.
Our ESG objectives have been defined based on our current knowledge and ambition for incorporating ESG across our business, both in the near and longer term.
We believe in learning from experience and sharing insights within the business and with the wider community. Therefore, these objectives will evolve as better knowledge, data and research becomes available, particularly in the area of carbon emissions. We are committed to developing our ESG Policy and integration in line with internationally established guidelines and conventions for responsible consultancy and current industry best practices.
This Policy aims to demonstrate how Multiverse works ethically, considering human rights as well as the social, economic and environmental impacts of what we do as a business.
Multiverse is committed to ensuring that any business undertakings are conducted as ethically as possible by following this Policy.
The three main areas of focus in this Policy relate to the environmental and social impact of any business’s activity, and the manner in which a business is managed. Together, these factors are known as ESG.
ESG processes and procedures focus on non-financial performance indicators that address a company’s approach towards sustainability, its impact on society and the environment, as well as other ethical and corporate governance considerations.
Table 1 below provides examples of the ESG topics. These are a broad overview, and Multiverse will analyse the business’ systematic and idiosyncratic ESG risks.
Multiverse is committed to supporting the goals of the Paris Agreement and supports the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate related Financial Disclosure (“TCFD”). Multiverse also supports the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact outlined in Table 2.
Examples of ESG topics considered
Environmental
Social
Governance
Principles of the UN Global Compact
Human Rights
Labour
Environment
Anti-Corruption
Each element of the ESG framework has been developed from a significant body of thinking which, over time, has resulted in the increased standardisation of terms used to define and describe those individual elements. In this section, we set out our broad interpretation of what those definitions currently include.
Environmental
The depletion of natural resources and the threat of climate change have raised concerns about the environment and the potential financial impact on businesses. Sustainable options are increasingly being considered as part of investment and technological solution choices. The issues are diverse, but the main areas are:
Social
Everybody deserves a chance at a life of learning and a top career. That applies to Multiverse’s own people as much as the apprentices we support.
As we build a better system, we're committed to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion are driving forces in all that we do – from the design and delivery of our programmes, to our recruitment, culture, learning and development.
The main areas of consideration are:
Corporate governance
Corporate governance covers the rights and responsibilities of the management of a company – its structures, corporate values, and accountability processes. This relates to the following areas:
We believe that a responsible approach towards our clients, stakeholders, employees, suppliers, and local communities as well as the environment and society more broadly is an essential part of our business’ success.
We believe that responsible ownership and business success go hand in hand and, as such, Multiverse has embedded consideration of ESG factors throughout its systems and processes.
Our core ESG principles are:
This section explores each of the ESG pillars in more detail, including best practice, our current position, and our forward-looking endeavours to enhance our position.
Environmental
How Multiverse’s behaviour impacts or affects the environment: climate change, pollution and waste are prominent considerations.
These are the areas that we consider most pivotal to our ESG compliance and culture and are reviewed and discussed regularly. In particular, the person responsible for this is [Jenny Watson].
Remote Working
Best practice: Fully remote (or hybrid, flexible working policy offering remote working as an option) workforce with tech enabled meetings to be as carbon neutral as possible and support diversity in our workforce.
What we do:
Paper free
Best practice: completely paper free
What we do: Paperless processes and systems:
Recycling
Best practice: Recycling all waste
What we do:
Carbon footprint
Best practice: Low carbon footprint and the use of renewable energy
What we do: Currently working on a Net Zero plan for Multiverse
Development steps to be considered: Multiverse Net Zero Plan
Social
The social pillar refers to Multiverse’s social licence, i.e., a sustainable business should have the support and approval of its employees, stakeholders and the community in which it operates. For example, treating employees fairly and being a good neighbour and community member, both locally and globally.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Best practice: We are an equal opportunity employer, with a mission to create the change we want to see in the world inside and outside of Multiverse.
What we do:
Development steps to be considered:
Financial Health
Best practice: Consider the best financial health of our employees
What we do:
Development steps to be considered:
Financial support
Best practice: Support employees financially in times of personal stress / hardship
What we do:
Physical and mental health
Best practice: Ensure the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all employees
What we do:
Anti-slavery and human trafficking
Best practice: Multiverse is absolutely committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities and to ensuring that our supply chains are free from modern slavery and human trafficking
What we do:
Governance
Governance includes Multiverse’s leadership, executive pay, audits, internal control and the interests of our clients and stakeholders.
Anti-corruption
Best practice: Robust anti-corruption measures and controls
What we do:
Company finances
Best practice: Robust company financials
What we do:
Culture
Best practice: Strong compliant company culture
What we do: Company values incorporated from induction, through to appraisals to embed good culture
Security & Data Privacy
Best practice: Security & Data Privacy
What we do:
Multiverse seeks to ensure that we maintain appropriate levels of oversight in the areas of audit, risk management and conflicts of interest, and will commission independent due diligence where appropriate. The companies’ financial and reputational risks are frequently assessed throughout Multiverse’s robust monitoring process.
Multiverse will monitor and assess the progress towards the objectives outlined in section 3. This will be discussed in executive committees, form part of our management information and also be taken to board once a year for review.
The Policy will be reviewed annually by [Tara Haig], [General Counsel], as the authorised person responsible for the Policy. The Policy may, however, also be updated following any material changes by other members of the business.
Revision control