EWS Social Values Statement

As strategic problem solvers and passionate innovators, we know now is the time to think differently to improve our world for the benefit of us all. We work hard every day to tackle some of today and tomorrow’s most pressing challenges, working collaboratively to deliver meaningful and impactful projects which help make the world a safer and better place. We believe that we have a responsibility and the opportunity right now to challenge the status quo to reinvent a better tomorrow for where we live.

EWS Social Values Policy

About EWS

EWS is a veteran-owned and run business working within the security sector. As a Silver ERS Award holder and signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, EWS continues to support Defence and the Armed Forces Community.

Our Intended Impact

We recognise that the impact of our activities goes far beyond the financial returns that we are looking to achieve. We have a direct responsibility to the communities in which we operate to maximise social value in terms of economic, social and environmental wellbeing. Whilst we are not bound by the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, we have chosen to implement the spirit of the Act into how we do business as we believe that this will deliver the most value for all of our stakeholders.

Our Social Value Policy

Our Social Value Policy has been designed to ensure that we take into account and maximise the social value and beneficial impact that we bring to the local communities and economies we work within. This policy covers all our activities as well as the activities of our supply chain including suppliers and service providers. It lays out our management objectives as well as the specific activities that we will undertake to ensure that we meet the aims of this policy. This includes who our stakeholders are, how we consult with them, how we will deliver our core business activities and how we will report our progress against our ambitions.

Our Commitments

Our overall aim is to leave a positive social legacy through our work and add value to our clients, our shareholders and our communities through:

• People and knowledge management – we ensure that all of our staff are aware of the impact they have and the value that they can create and to put in place the resources needed to ensure that they can deliver the principles laid out within this policy.
• Our stakeholders – we ensure that we know and consult with our stakeholders on a regular basis. Our stakeholders include our people, our supply chain and the community where we work.
• Measurement and monitoring – we measure the social value of all our business against the National Social Value Measurement (TOMs) Framework that is based on 5 key focus areas (themes):
• Jobs:
• We promote local skills and employment opportunities by engaging with local academia from secondary education upwards, being present at local jobs fairs and engaging with the wider business community via active networking.
• As part of our forces-friendly credentials, we engage with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) in the recruitment of service leavers and are registered with the Forces Family Jobs (FFJ portal.
• We work with Armed Forces charities to offer help and guidance, career talks to personnel looking to leave the Armed Forces.
• We also help our personnel achieve their professional goals by providing them with opportunities to learn new skills and thrive.
• Growth:
• We support the growth of responsible regional businesses by bringing together micro/SME organisations to work with Primes and government agencies working in the security sector.
• We value and intend to grow our relationship with the voluntary sector to help facilitate the development of skills.
• Social:
• We are working to help deliver healthier, safer and more resilient communities.
• We promote a mindset of health and mental well-being within our company, encouraging hybrid working and providing break out areas, nurturing a culture of inclusivity which empowers and enriches our people, customer network and community.
• We adhere to Health and Safety, Quality and Risk Management governance documents. We also adhere to Integrity, Human Rights, Modern Slavery and all related governance documents. And we also adhere to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion governance documents.
• Environment:
• We are committed to protecting and improving our environment.
• At EWS we encourage our employees and customers to embrace virtual meetings where possible, reducing the carbon footprint, protecting the environment and local community by reducing the use of vehicles on the local roads. Our travel policy encourages the use of public transport when practicable and available, both at home and away.
• We have a Sustainability Policy - Management and supervisory staff have responsibilities for the implementation of this policy and must ensure that environmental issues are given adequate consideration in the planning and day to day supervision of all work. We are considerate to reduce natural resources in our daily operations, including water, paper and energy. We also maximise the recycling of resources. We actively communicate this policy to all employees, contractors and other stakeholders, as well as making this policy available to the general public on request. All employees and subcontractors are expected to co-operate and assist in the implementation of this policy, whilst ensuring that their own works, so far as reasonably practicable, are carried out without risk to themselves, others or the environment. This includes co-operating with management on any environmental-related matter.
• Innovation:
• We actively seek ways to promote social innovation.
• Our Open Source Threat Database (OSTD) empowers our subscribers to improve their environment from a safety perspective; it is a capability with global reach and effect.
• Target setting – we are working on setting targets that are relevant and proportional and reflect the broader impact on society that we are looking to achieve. Targets will be set on a three-year rolling basis and progress will be reported annually.
• Reporting – we ensure that all our stakeholders have access to relevant information on our Social Value performance and it is presented in a way that is clear and concise, showing how we are progressing against our targets. Where targets are not being met, we will be clear about measures to be taken to rectify our performance. Reporting will be delivered through an annual update and a range of other media solutions.

Governance

While Jon Gower, our CEO, holds board level responsibility for the Social Value (SV) policy and objectives, all employees and persons working on our behalf must share the commitments made in our Social Values Policy.