Corporate political engagement
We’re committed to maintaining a high standard of corporate political engagement worldwide. We do this by assessing and making our policies, procedures and practice visible, with reference to Transparency International Guidance.
Transparency International areas of focus
We’ve provided details below that relate to the four key Transparency International areas of focus – control environment, political contributions, responsible lobbying and revolving door.
We recognise that the control environment sets the tone for a company. This includes:
the integrity, ethical values and competence of employees
the philosophy and leadership style of management
the assignment of authority and responsibility for global political activities.
We have clear guiding principles for our political activities, an integrated management approach and Board accountability and oversight. We can demonstrate that we manage activities on a Group-wide basis and have management approval, monitoring and compliance processes in place to support this.
Control environment documents
The documents below set out our control environment in more detail.
Our guiding principles underpinning political activities
A statement on our associated monitoring, management approval and assurance of political activity
Our Code of Ethical Business Conduct – with particular reference to pages 24-25
Anti Fraud and Bribery Practices Policy
The Audit & Risk Committee Terms of Reference – this body oversees our compliance on ethics and business conduct which includes lobbying. The internal audit and compliance teams monitor and reports to the Audit & Risk Committee, which in turn reports to the Board
Useful links
Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC) Code (UK)
The Bribery Act 2010 Guidance (Ministry of Justice [UK])
We have a clear policy of prohibiting political contributions, including by another entity on our behalf. Find out more in the documents below.
We’re committed to lobbying responsibly. We’re open and transparent about global lobbying activities and provide further details in the documents below.
Our policy on responsible lobbying
How we consult stakeholders about our political lobbying activities
Aims and overview of our Political lobbying
Report on contracted services of serving Politicians to the company
Read our policy and information relating to the movement of directors and employees between positions in public/private sector. This includes our guidance on 'cooling off' for staff joining from the private sector.
More information
Transparency International (TI) is a global civil society organisation whose purpose is to take action to fight corruption.
Transparency International (Global)
Transparency International (UK)
If you have any questions about our corporate political engagement, please send us an email.
The content of the Transparency International web pages (Global and UK) and corresponding documentation was reviewed by the National Grid Corporate Affairs team and is up to date as of Thursday 1 November 2018.
