The Bribery Act 2010 reforms UK anti-corruption laws and introduces four new bribery offenses. It will affect all UK businesses regardless of sector when it comes into force in April 2011. Companies are urged to use the delayed implementation period to establish clear anti-bribery guidelines and procedures to prevent offenses. Failure to prevent bribery can result in an unlimited fine and ban from public contracts for organizations, and up to ten years' imprisonment for individuals.

1. Careers
your questions answered
❱❱ I have heard that new anti-corruption laws will
affect all UK businesses.What should I know?
The Bribery Act 2010 was one of the If an employer is found guilty of the people on
last pieces of legislation passed by corporate offence of failing to prevent the move
© LInDA STEWARD
the Labour government and was cre- bribery, the organisation will face an
ated to reform anti-corruption laws unlimited fine subject to the scale of ❱❱ Robin Jaques
created ad hoc over the last 100 years. the offence, and could be banned SA Partners, Europe’s longest-
The act was due to come into force from bidding for EU public contracts. established lean enterprise consul-
in October, but government Meanwhile, individuals could be sub- tancy, has announced that Robin
officials confirmed in Au- ject to ten years’ imprisonment and Jaques has been promoted to
gust that its implemen- an unlimited fine if found guilty of the managing partner. Robin joined the
tation has now been general bribery offences. business as a consultant in 2000
put back until April and has led a wide range of suc-
2011, to give Being prepared cessful projects with well-known
companies time The delay to the enforcement of the clients such as Marks & Spencer,
to prepare. act has been made to give organi- B&Q and Boots.
The act sations a chance to prepare for its
introduces ramifications. The only defence for the ❱❱ Jeff williams
tough new corporate offence is that of showing Jeff Williams has been appointed
anti-corruption that an organisation has “adequate Apple’s new senior vice-president
regulations that procedures” in place to prevent brib- of operations. Jeff is expected to
will affect every ery on its behalf. focus on assuring product quality
employer in the While what is ‘adequate’ will differ in the wake of iPhone 4’s reception
country, regardless of depending upon an organisation’s size problems and will lead a global
whether it operates in the and sector, all employers are being team responsible for the compa-
public, private or third sector. urged to use this time to create clear ny’s supply-chain management.
It moves the UK’s approach to tackling guidelines detailing why bribery is
corruption closer to that of the US and unacceptable and their approach to ❱❱ melina CimleR
introduces four new bribery offences: accusations of corruption. Having a Global biotechnology company
• Making a bribe documented system will help show Illumina has appointed Melina
• Accepting a bribe they have taken steps to prevent brib- Cimler as vice-president of quality
• Bribery of a foreign public official ery, however larger organisations may and regulatory affairs. Dr Cimler
• Failing to prevent bribery is now a want to take further steps such as: will lead the company’s quality and
corporate offence. • An anti-corruption code of conduct regulatory divisions in supporting
When the act is brought into force, it • Establishing procedures for assess- the development and manufac-
will mean that any organisation that ing the risk of corruption ture of life-science products. Dr
negligently fails to prevent bribery • A gifts’ and hospitality policy to Cimler was previously president of
by those performing services on its monitor gifts and entertainment PandiaDx Consulting, where she
behalf will be open to prosecution and • Procedures to enable employees to provided compliance guidance to
harsh penalties. Performing services report bribery confidentially the medical devices industry.
are interpreted as including employ- • Training for those who have to en-
ees, agents and subsidiaries, depend- force policies and for employees on ❱❱ GaRy meRRill
ing upon the circumstances. expected standards of behaviour. American firm M7 Aerospace has
appointed Gary Merrill as vice-
president of quality assurance.
Gary has clocked-up more than
25 years of experience within the
please email your useful links sector, having previously worked
career questions www.justice.gov.uk for US Airways as its managing
and job moves to www.opsi.gov.uk director of quality assurance and
editorial@thecqi.org www.personneltoday.com technical programmes.
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