Foreword  

At iO, we believe that a shared commitment to ethical and responsible business forms the foundation for sustainable business relationships. These client partnership principles outline the values and standards we share with our clients as we work together to create meaningful impact. 

What we value  

When you partner with iO, you join a community that shares our core values: 

• Collective performance – we commit to turning ambition into reality as one team. 

• Personal growth – we encourage talent development and strive for excellence. 

• Insatiable curiosity – we look at the world and its possibilities with an open mind. 

• Continuous evolution – we embrace change and constantly seek improvement. 

Compliance with legislation  

We both operate within the law. 

This includes respecting competition regulations, anti-corruption laws, data protection requirements, environmental standards, and human rights legislation in all countries where we work. 

People & working conditions  

Human rights 

We both respect and support internationally recognised human rights and ensure that neither of us is complicit in human rights violations. 

Fair working practices  

Together, we're committed to: 

• Fair compensation that meets or exceeds local requirements  

• Safe, healthy work environments where people are treated with respect and dignity  

• Zero tolerance for forced or child labour in any form  

• Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining  

• Equal opportunities regardless of gender, age, nationality, religion, ethnicity, disability, union membership, sexual orientation, or political belief  

• Reasonable working hours that comply with local legislation  

Governance & ethics 

Integrity  

We both commit to do business with honesty and integrity.  This means: 

• Zero tolerance for corruption, bribery, extortion or embezzlement. 

• Fair competition and compliance with antitrust legislation  

• Transparent business reporting and open communication  

• Managing conflicts of interest with full transparency when they arise. 

Gifts and hospitality  

We both understand that business courtesies should be reasonable, modest, and transparent and never intended to gain unfair advantages. 

Information & data protection  

Confidentiality  

What's shared between us stays between us. We both respect and protect confidential information, including intellectual property, trade secrets, and sensitive business data. You don’t share it without express written permission and may expect the same commitment from us. 

Privacy & data security  

In our digital world, privacy isn't optional. When processing personal data, we both commit to: 

• GDPR compliance and adherence to all applicable privacy laws  

• Implementing appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data  

• Processing personal data only for specific, legitimate purposes  

• Maintaining solid policies and procedures that demonstrate compliance  

A sustainable partnership  

Collective performance  

We believe in growing together. Through regular conversations and shared experiences, we both learn and improve our practices. This means we might occasionally check in with some questions, ask you for reports or do a quick review of how things are going. We value your help and openness during these check-ins. 

Continuous evolution  

Together, we're always looking for ways to enhance our ESG practices and security measures. 

Open dialogue  

Open communication builds stronger partnerships. If either of us has concerns, we talk about them openly. All conversations are treated with confidence, and no one faces adverse consequences for speaking up.  Read more in our Whistleblower policy. 

Moving forward together  

These principles describe our shared expectations for working together successfully. 

We recognise that every situation is unique, and we encourage using professional judgement and common sense. When in doubt about whether something aligns with these principles, let’s discuss it. 

By working with iO, we trust that you share these values and want to create a partnership that works for everyone.