ESG Policy

Policy Statement

At The Franchise Consultant, our mission is to empower businesses to grow through ethical and sustainable franchising. Recognising our unique position as a fully remote consultancy, we are committed to minimising our environmental footprint, fostering a positive social impact, and upholding the highest standards of governance. This policy guides our daily operations and our advisory services, ensuring we contribute to a sustainable future for our team, our clients, and the communities we touch.

1. Environmental Responsibility

Our fully remote model is our foundational environmental strength. We build upon it with conscious actions.

Remote-First Operations: We commit to maintaining a home-based work model to eliminate daily commuting emissions. We support this with policies for energy-efficient home offices and the use of cloud-based, digital tools to minimise paper use.

Sustainable Client Partnerships: We will integrate ESG considerations into our consultancy framework. This includes advising clients on developing sustainable operational manuals, promoting ethical supply chains within their franchise models, and identifying energy efficiency opportunities for their networks.

Resource Management: Our operations will prioritise digital documentation and communication. Any necessary procurement (e.g., office equipment) will consider energy efficiency and product lifecycle.

2. Social Responsibility

Our impact extends through our team, our client relationships, and the franchisees they recruit.

Inclusive & Supportive Workplace: We are committed to providing equal opportunities, fostering a culture of respect, and supporting the well-being and professional development of our remote team.

Ethical Franchising Advocacy: We will guide our clients to develop fair, transparent, and legally compliant franchise agreements. We advocate for diversity in franchisee recruitment and support our clients in creating inclusive opportunities.

Community Engagement: We encourage and may support team involvement in local community or virtual volunteering initiatives that align with our values.

3. Governance & Ethics

Integrity and transparency are the cornerstones of our business and our advice.

Ethical Conduct: We uphold the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity in all client interactions and internal operations. We comply fully with all UK laws and regulations.

Client Due Diligence: We will strive to work with clients whose business practices and values are compatible with ethical and responsible business conduct.

Continuous Improvement: We will regularly review this ESG policy, track our key performance indicators (like digital footprint reduction), and seek ways to enhance our positive impact through our services.