Anti-Corruption Forum

What is the UK Anti-Corruption Forum?

We are an alliance of UK business associations, professional institutions, civil society organisations and companies with interests in the domestic and international infrastructure, construction and engineering sectors. The Forum’s objective is to help create a business environment that is free from corruption.

Who are the members?

Our members include various prestigious associations, institutions and other organisations, together representing over 1,000 UK companies and 350,000 professionals. We also count many large consultancies and contractors among our membership, as well as medium and small enterprises.

What key issues is the Forum addressing?

  • Raising with government the current anti-corruption legal and regulatory environment, the proposed changes to it, and its implications for the infrastructure, construction and engineering sectors.
  • How to improve anti-corruption training, both at professional and corporate level.
  • How to improve corporate and professional codes of conduct from an anti-corruption perspective.
  • How to help companies and the professions adopt anti-corruption measures.
  • What due diligence should be undertaken on countries, clients, business partners and the supply chain.
  • How UK government can support companies and individuals trading overseas when faced with corruption issues.
  • What advice to give to companies and individuals when they are faced with corruption issues.
  • How to deal with facilitation payments.
  • How to help professional institutions in developing countries promote the anti-corruption agenda.
  • How to ensure that the debarment systems adopted by the UK Government, World Bank, EU Commission and other governments and donors are fair, proportionate and reasonable.
  • How donors can improve their anti-corruption practices.
  • How greater transparency in the industry can help reduce corruption.
  • How the use of independent monitoring on construction projects can help reduce corruption.

What does the Forum do to help achieve its objectives?

  • We hold quarterly member meetings, inviting external speakers who address topics of interest. We discuss key anti-corruption concerns, share ideas on anti-corruption best practice, and take forward a rolling series of actions.
  • We hold meetings with government departments to discuss anti-corruption actions, legislation and policy.
  • We use working groups to develop and promote specific anti-corruption actions.
    • The Business Practices Working Group searches for and develops best practice anti-corruption guidelines and tools for business.
    • The Professional Standards Working Group searches for and develops best practice anti-corruption guidelines and tools for professional institutions.
    • The Law and Enforcement Working Group examines UK and international anti-corruption laws, enforcement and penalties, and recommends ways in which they can be improved so as to be reasonable, workable and effective, and co-operates with relevant agencies so to as promote these improvements.
    • The External Liaison Working Group liaises with the UK Government and international and national organisations to promote the interests and ideas of the Forum.
  • We issue a quarterly Newsletter which summarises key domestic and international anti-corruption issues and actions. The Newsletter is also circulated to organisations in over 50 countries.
  • We circulate (to members only) a Weekly News Digest which is a compilation of relevant articles on corruption from the international press, which keeps members up to date with developments, and assists in due diligence.
  • We produce and promote publications on critical issues such as anti-corruption actions, transparency, debarment, professional standards, whistle-blowing, and the proposed new UK anti-bribery legislation.
  • We hold anti-corruption conferences.

What gives the Forum its unique position?

The members of the Forum represent a very wide range of interests in the domestic and international infrastructure, construction and engineering sectors. They include business associations, professional institutions, civil society organisations, construction and engineering companies, consulting firms, lawyers and accountants. These members send senior representatives to attend meetings and participate in working groups. Our members are aware of the damage and risks of corruption, and many have seen the difficulties that it causes to both the public and to business. They have the skill, knowledge and determination to recommend and take effective action. Therefore, all our objectives, meetings and publications are realistic, focused and proactive.

When was the Forum established?

A small group of founding members established the Forum in October 2004. Since then we have grown year by year to become a leading and respected participant in the anti-corruption field.