We help organisations ensure that their ESG and business integrity programmes make an impact, are values-based and do what they say they will do. We help clients design and roll-out their strategies and deploy a tailored approach suited to each specific client.

We conduct ESG and ethics & compliance risk assessments to help clients design relevant strategies and to inform their programme development.

In a world of ever-proliferating stakeholders, we have deep experience in the NGO and intergovernmental sectors and with stakeholder engagement. We help clients map their increasingly complex stakeholder universe and develop strategies for meaningful and positive engagement. Where appropriate, we also facilitate the stakeholder engagement itself and bring credibility to those interactions due to our backgrounds and reputation.

Organisations need to have confidence in the efficacy and robustness of their programme We provide advice on the development and hands-on assistance in the design, implementation and continuous improvement of programmes, processes and controls.

We have extensive experience in crisis response and transformational compliance - helping organisations implement, improve and embed world-class programmes and achieve meaningful change.

Retaining an independent firm to conduct a review of its ESG or business integrity programmes provides an organisation with a fresh perspective. It enables the organisation to make sure its programme is truly achieving its purpose. It provides the company with assurance that its representations to the market are responsible and accurate and is a valuable tool in effective stakeholder governance. We conduct independent reviews of existing programmes, make recommendations for enhancements and act as an independent monitor for companies seeking to remediate areas identified for improvement or after an adverse event.

When an organisation finds that its conduct fails to meet legal standards, regulators, law enforcement or funders may require a company to appoint an independent monitor. Even when not mandated, or where the breach is one of societal expectations, appointing an independent monitor can be a valuable tool to demonstrate to critical stakeholders that the organisation takes the issue seriously, has genuine intent to improve its standards and is working towards that goal. Kathryn Higgs & Associates is a highly respected choice of independent monitor. We believe in providing these services in a principled but solution-orientated and collaborative way.

We triage the client’s cases when submitted to their whistleblowing hotline. We advise the client on the best strategy for investigating the report, reputational risk and crisis management and we support them throughout the case to help steer the investigation effectively.

We project manage the investigation from start to finish including coordination of interactions with reporters, witnesses and subjects. We promptly respond to individuals involved and establish a positive, compassionate and professional rapport. We advise on the best next steps at each stage of the investigation and on disciplinary consequences, corrective action and lessons learned exercises.

We conduct investigations on the client’s behalf where appropriate or help them find reliable external advisors, investigators, law firms where needed - instructing and overseeing the work of those parties on the client's behalf. We also coach internal colleagues to conduct investigations whilst maintaining oversight where suitable.

We prepare the client’s periodic and ad hoc internal and external reports on their investigations programmes.

We have experienced investigations from every angle - as internal and external investigators, whistleblowers, witnesses and remediators. Our team members have worked as chief ethics officers, lawyers, HR professionals, investigators and investigative journalists - helping us to have a keen understanding of how investigations affect all the people involved. As a result, we bring a human touch to case management always considering psychological safety and the impact of investigations on all involved.

We take the time to gain an understanding of the client’s organisation and build appropriate relationships with relevant stakeholders. The Ethics Triage team will usually feel more like an extension of the internal team than external consultants.

We have existing and strong relationships globally with a range of external advisory firms including investigators and law firms meaning we can help our clients quickly find the best advisors when needed, reducing the delay to getting an investigation off the ground.

We also help our clients with procurement of new hotline services and relationship management with their provider. We conduct speak-up culture health checks and other ethical culture assessments. We draft policies and procedures to ensure robust internal investigations governance procedures. And we conduct investigations training for internal staff.

We conduct culture measurement projects and undertake specific research into ethical culture at organisations, including exploring speak-up culture amongst employees and the barriers to speaking up. Our work involves benchmarking clients’ performance to comparable and best practice organisations.

We then develop action plans to address findings and help clients to implement these plans - including stakeholder engagement to design a plan which will be effective, drafting and design of policies and procedures, and design of communications and training programmes to support.

We develop detailed and bespoke communications strategies using a combination of professional skills in both law and psychology. We focus on communicating in the style of the listener for maximum impact. We understand traditional methods of communication as well as how to leverage newer forms such as internal social media and multimedia solutions. We tailor our approach to communicate with stakeholders in a way which will resonate, embed culture and drive change effectively. As a result of our work, we have seen corporate visibility of ethics & ESG outstrip other areas of focus by 300%.

We help clients develop metrics to measure engagement with branding and communications programmes relying on both traditional and contemporary data sources (e.g. whistleblowing statistics and social media CTRs).

We conduct training and workshops, in person and virtually. We design e-Learning. We leverage our background in coaching and keynote speaking to help make training and communications more engaging and memorable.

Our team of experienced coaches and change management experts - work with clients to develop individual, team and leadership potential. We understand the needs of businesses and the high-functioning corporate individuals that lead them. Our clients come to us, from all industries, to address all manner of business development needs.

For leaders: We coach them on how to role model ethical leadership and truly make purpose and doing the right thing a part of the organisation’s DNA.

For teams: Coaching can help them become more cohesive, harness their skills in a collaborative way and address unhelpful group dynamics - resulting in increased productivity and staff retention.

For individuals: Coaching can help them identify and amplify their strengths and address aspects of their professional behaviour which is holding them back.

Our founder, Kathryn, is regularly invited to speak on a wide range of business issues including topics relating to business integrity, ESG, corporate culture and women in business. She is known for her energetic speaking style and her ability to connect with her audience. She has a reputation for delivering engaging and candid speeches and providing pragmatic insight into her topics. She always delivers on her brief and actively embraces answering audience questions.

Kathryn is also an experienced conference chair and moderator. As with her speaking style, she is known for injecting energy into events and steering speakers and panelists through their sessions - keeping people on topic and providing insightful summaries of content.

Kathryn has spoken at events for the OECD, the United Nations, Centaur Media, AMLP Forum, C5 Group, Kiasco Research, the big 4 and several law firms.