Our Policies

Our policy documents are updated annually and made available to new joiners as part of initial orientation.

As an employee-owned, UK-based group, MSQ has developed a series of corporate policies to guide the operations of our individual agencies. Each of the MSQ agencies has taken specific actions to implement these policies.

MSQ, and all of our agencies, have a commitment to the highest standards of good corporate citizenship. This is manifested by publishing, updating and actively implementing our polices in the areas of:

  • People (operating our workplaces)
  • Environment (use of consumables)
  • Ethics (the way we do business)

We believe having high standards makes good business sense because it helps us to:

  • Attract and retain the best people in our agencies.
  • Generate new business by being seen as good partners by our clients.
  • Improve the efficiency of our operations to reduce costs.

We don’t view being a good corporate citizen as an obligation. We see it as an opportunity.

As professionals in marketing communication we recognise we have a responsibility to adopt high standards not only in the way we run our own businesses but in the content and nature of the campaigns we create and manage for our clients.

These areas of policy are often described under the heading of “sustainability” or “corporate social responsibility.” 

Our People

All agencies in MSQ are committed to providing a workplace which:

  • Provides a working environment which is safe, civilised and stimulating; encourages creative and collaborative team work and conforms to all local regulations in terms of health and safety and employee comfort
  • Creates a social environment of mutual respect and support in which staff treat each other in a professional and courteous manner
  • Operates a policy of zero tolerance on all aspects of bullying, intimidation and sexual or physical harassment
  • Operates as a true meritocracy where appointment and promotion is based on qualifications, merit and effort without any discrimination in respect of race, colour, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability
  • Does not tolerate the possession, distribution or use of illegal drugs on company premises
  • Offers training and counselling programmes to help all staff improve their skills and advance their career prospects
  • Offers internships and apprenticeships which are paid at proper market rates and which include structured learning, supervision and mentoring
  • Supports requests to allow our people to undertake appropriate pro bono and charitable projects and where appropriate to make a financial contribution from Company funds to support these projects
  • Uses all personal data relating to clients, suppliers and employees in accordance with relevant legislation such as the UK’s 1998 Data Protection Act

Our Environment

MSQ agencies have adopted operating policies which are consistent with the best practices of sustainability and the preservation of the environment. To this end, each agency is expected to use their best efforts to achieve the following:

  • To reduce energy use in our workplaces by investing in and using appropriate low energy lighting, heating and air conditioning
  • To set timing and temperature controls on air conditioning and heating to achieve the lowest possible energy consumption
  • To apply best practice in all aspects of thermal insulation and energy reduction by investing, where appropriate, in energy saving solutions
  • To reduce consumption of paper, water and other consumables by monitoring use, displaying signage and encouraging a culture of sustainability
  • To minimise the use of air transport by reducing face-to-face meetings, by employing technologies such as video conferencing, Skype and telephone conferencing. Air travel miles are monitored with the objective of attempting to achieve a controlled reduction over time
  • To encourage the use of public transport by questioning the need to use cars and taxis and by encouraging staff to use services like Oyster cards (in London) and Metro cards (in New York)

Our Ethics

MSQ and its agencies are in the business of providing creative marketing communications solutions for a wide range of clients. Our ethical policies reflect the nature of our professional services.

We believe good ethical behaviour in a company flows as much from a culture and observed behaviour as it does from specific rules or regulations. In this context, we expect all of our staff to adhere at all times to the statements made below:

  • We will attempt to conduct our business in a fashion which is honest, open, in good faith, and free from fraud or deceptive activities
  • We will respect the confidentiality of our clients’ information and all of our actions will be designed to be in the best interest of our clients and their marketing objectives
  • We will not knowingly implement campaigns which contain statements or images which are offensive or which attempt to deceive or mislead. We accept that great campaigns may often be shocking and even upsetting but we will always attempt to maintain public decency and factual accuracy
  • We will not offer any form of bribe or inducement in an attempt to gain or retain clients, obtain work or benefits. This will not prevent us offering hospitality to clients and potential clients but this must be of a type and monitory value that is proportionate to normal business practice
  • We will not accept any form of bribe or inducement to undertake actions which are not in the interest of our clients
  • We will ensure that all members of staff are aware of relevant legislation such as the UK Bribery Act and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and ensure that our culture is one where this legislation is understood and adhered to
  • We will be open and transparent about potential conflicts of interest which might arise from the business activities of the partners and relatives of employees and ensure that these are visible to clients and other interested parties

Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking policy

Slavery and human trafficking remains a hidden blight on our global society. We all have a responsibly to be alert to the risks, however small, in our business and in the wider supply chain. 

Organisation Structure 

The MSQ Partners Group of companies’ primary business is the provision of marketing communication consultancy and services including advertising, public relations, design and digital marketing. The Group has its head office in the UK and has an annual turnover in excess of £80m.

Our Supply Chain

As a service company operating in the UK, with limited production output, our supply chain is very simple. The majority of our work force are permanent employees, and we have a limited number of external suppliers or contractors in our supply process.
Respecting human rights in the supply chain is ultimately our suppliers’ responsibility. However, the limited nature of our supply chain makes it relatively easy to play an active role in supplier development and we have adopted various means to communicate our expectations to our suppliers.

Our Policy on Slavery and Human Trafficking 

We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business or in our supply chains. This policy reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains.
Staff are expected to report concerns and management are expected to act upon them.


How we Mitigate Risk of Slavery and Human Trafficking

  • A commitment to paying the UK Living wage as a minimum
  • Labour and employment monitoring and the use of formal payroll systems 
  • Training and raising awareness of the issue through Director briefings
  • Where possible we build long standing relationships with local suppliers and contractors and make clear our expectations of business behaviour including having in place suitable anti-slavery and human trafficking policies 
  • Assessing risk related to human trafficking and forced labour within our supply base 
  • Visiting supplier premises to monitor compliance with standards and expectations
  • Systems to encourage the reporting of concerns and the protection of whistle blowers 

This statement is made pursuant to Section 54, Part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps the Company has taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in our supply chains or in any part of our business. This statement has been approved by our Board of Directors, who will review and update it as necessary on an annual basis.