Our Group code of ethics, embodied in our HR processes, provides a framework for employees to assist them in maintaining the company’s high standards. It provides guidance on issues such as conduct with customers and the public; conduct of employees at work and conduct with colleagues.

IPH encourages employees to use its whistleblowing procedures to report breaches of any of the company’s policies without fear of recrimination.

IPH does not tolerate corruption in any form, no matter where we operate. Our no tolerance approach applies to all our businesses, employees and suppliers.

We have worked over the past year to ensure our supply chain is robust and as financially secure as possible during these challenging times, ensuring that suppliers comply with the high ethical standards that we also aspire to.   These are communicated through our Terms and Conditions or its related appendices, copies of which are accessible on the website of Southampton Cargo Handling.

They are also communicated to suppliers as a condition of fulfilling our procurement standards. These requirements extend to but are not restricted to the following:

• Child labour
• Wages and benefits
• Working hours
• Modern slavery
• Freedom of association
• Health and safety
• Harassment and non-discrimination
• Corruption, extortion and bri9bery
• Privacy and data protection
• Fair competition and anti-trust
• Conflicts of interest
• Whistleblowing and protection against retaliation
• GHG emissions, energy efficiency and renewable energy
• Water quality and consumption
• Air quality
• Sustainable resources management and waste reduction
• Responsible chemical management

We further pledge to support our suppliers through prompt payment and adherence to regulations such as GDPR.

We aim to meet our needs for goods and services in a way that not only achieves value for money but also provides benefits to the local community and the economy and minimises damage to the environment. Our business shall be carried out with due recognition to our stated Environmental Policy.

People are at the heart of our organisation and we continue to focus on supporting our employees as the nature of our operations evolves. We endeavour to carry out regular staff surveys and we continue to provide our employees with opportunities to update and refresh their skills. Over the past 12 months, the majority of the SCH core workforce have carried out skills training to meet industry requirements. We also remain committed to providing apprenticeships across the business.

We recognise the need to operate as an inclusive organisation in an increasingly diverse world. Our recruitment policies aim to encourage equality and diversity. 

We undertake to comply with all legislation regarding minimum wage rates and working hours and adhere to all UK legislation regarding elements such as child labour and anti-slavery, also ensuring that our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

Our policies committing to the fair and equal treatment of all employees are embodied in our HR processes, which can be readily accessed.

Health and safety excellence is a core value of the IPH group. We are committed to provide safe and healthy working conditions for staff and customers alike throughout the Group to prevent work related injury and ill health, so far is reasonably practicable.

This shall be proportionate to our purpose, size, context and specific nature of the occupational health and safety risks and opportunities.

Health and safety incidents are reported on the Mango Health and Safety reporting solution which provides modules for reporting incidents, facilitates investigation and communicates responses that help ensure incidents are not repeated.

All employees undergo health and safety training as part of their induction. Legal compliance remains our minimum standard and the setting and reporting of key performance indicators means we stay focused on delivering continued improvement. The review of performance is embedded into our Board reporting.

As scientific evidence of and political emphasis on environmental issues and climate change increases, so too does the focus of our stakeholders. We remain focused on supporting our port and other partners in a way that reduces our environmental impact. Our focus for the coming year is to progress initiatives that will enable us to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

We recognise our responsibility in playing an active role in economic development through membership of relevant port and business organisations. In 2022, we became members of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, which seeks to engage the voice, expertise and experience of thousands of businesses across the county, influencing decision-making and shaping practical solutions.

We also seek to support charitable causes, encouraging employees to participate in fund raising for organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society, the Wear it pink charity and Save the Children UK.