Howard Kerr speaks about BSI's values

We are all observing events around the world and thinking of our colleagues and clients in many countries who struggle for equality and human rights. Our world is challenged by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and social division. Social injustice across our communities strikes at the very core of both personal and organizational values, and actions which threaten these values cause harm not just to the individuals targeted but to our society in general. 

BSI's Purpose of “Inspiring Trust for a more Resilient World” talks directly to the critical role we play in today’s world.  Our colleagues work with our clients to help people and organizations navigate through the many challenges facing our societies. The demand for our knowledge, services and advice has never been greater or more important. 

I’m proud to lead a values-driven organization. BSI will continue to promote inclusion and progress on these issues, and I am personally committed to ensuring that we continue to do the right thing for all those who work for us and those that we serve. I fully acknowledge the importance of issues raised by social injustice campaigns highlighting discrimination and exclusion.

I want to be clear that BSI does not, and will not, tolerate acts or attitudes that are not aligned with our core values, including discrimination or social injustice related to gender, ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation or any other factors. This is our commitment to our BSI people and BSI’s commitment to the world. That is why, in part, we have aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, four of which I highlight here. BSI has publicly committed to support these goals, and we will always strive to help create a better world for everyone.

• GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
• GOAL 5: Gender Equality
• GOAL 10: Reduced Inequalities
• GOAL 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

> About the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Our core value of Respect includes us creating an environment where everyone is free to bring their whole self to the workplace and where both difference and diversity are actively supported and pursued. Our ability to disrupt our own thinking is supported by the challenge that different perspectives bring and to shut this down or prevent the benefit it can bring to BSI is shutting down the opportunity for all of us to do our best work for the benefit of our clients and broader society. 

So, in short, we need to be the change in our own community that we want to see outside.  BSI continues to look forward to working with our stakeholders globally to enable us to lead from the front, aligning our words and our actions.

Howard Kerr

Chief Executive                                                                                             June 2020