BAS / POL / 01

Code of Ethics & Business Conduct

BUILT is appointed to protect a client’s commercial interests, frequently in a certifying role where its judgement determines what is paid, what is approved and what is due. This Code states the standards that judgement is exercised to.

Document
BAS / POL / 01
Revision
1
Issued
February 2026
Next review
February 2027
Owner
Richard Shotton, FCIOB

1Purpose and scope

  1. 1.1This Code sets out the standards of conduct BUILT Advisory Services FZE LLC applies to every appointment it accepts.
  2. 1.2It binds the Principal, any personnel BUILT deploys or recommends to a client, and any party acting for BUILT.
  3. 1.3Where a client’s own code of conduct sets a higher standard, the client’s standard applies.

2Independence and single-party representation

  1. 2.1BUILT acts for one party per appointment. It will not be engaged by, or take a fee from, more than one party on the same project at the same time.
  2. 2.2Where BUILT has previously acted for another party on the same project, that involvement is disclosed in writing before an appointment is accepted. BUILT declines the appointment if the client considers the prior involvement material.
  3. 2.3BUILT holds no interest in any contractor, subcontractor, supplier or consultant tendering for or engaged on a client’s project.
  4. 2.4BUILT takes no commission, referral fee, introduction fee or other benefit from any party other than its appointing client.

3Conflicts of interest

  1. 3.1Before accepting an appointment BUILT reviews its known relationships with the parties likely to be involved, and discloses anything a reasonable client would want to know.
  2. 3.2A conflict arising during an appointment is disclosed to the client in writing as soon as it is identified.
  3. 3.3Where a conflict cannot be managed to the client’s satisfaction, BUILT withdraws from the appointment.

4Impartial administration of the contract

  1. 4.1Where BUILT acts as Engineer under the Contract, Employer’s Representative, or in any certifying or determining role, it administers the contract according to its terms and on the facts.
  2. 4.2BUILT will not certify work that has not been executed, value work that has not been done, or withhold a certification that is properly due.
  3. 4.3BUILT will not accept an instruction to reach a predetermined outcome on a valuation, variation, extension of time, claim or determination.
  4. 4.4Where a client instructs a course BUILT considers improper, BUILT records its position in writing. If the instruction stands, BUILT resigns the appointment.

5Honest reporting

  1. 5.1Progress, cost and risk are reported as they are found, at the time they are found.
  2. 5.2BUILT does not present a forecast as fact, suppress adverse information, or delay a report because its content is unwelcome.
  3. 5.3The records supporting a report are retained and made available to the client on request.

6Confidentiality

  1. 6.1Commercial, technical and contractual information obtained on an appointment is treated as confidential.
  2. 6.2It is not disclosed to any third party without the client’s written consent, except where disclosure is required by law or by a competent authority.
  3. 6.3BUILT does not use one client’s confidential information for the benefit of another.
  4. 6.4These obligations continue after the appointment ends.

7Professional standards

  1. 7.1The Principal is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building and a certified Project Management Professional, and observes the CIOB Code of Conduct and its Rules of Professional Competence.
  2. 7.2BUILT accepts only appointments for which it holds the competence and the capacity to perform.
  3. 7.3Where an appointment calls for a discipline outside BUILT’s competence, BUILT says so and recommends a suitably qualified party.

8Conduct towards others

  1. 8.1Contractors, consultants, suppliers and site personnel are dealt with courteously, consistently and without favour.
  2. 8.2BUILT does not discriminate on grounds of nationality, gender, religion, age or any other protected characteristic, and does not tolerate harassment, intimidation or abusive conduct on any project it manages.
  3. 8.3The safety of people on site takes precedence over programme and cost.

9Gifts, hospitality and improper payments

  1. 9.1Governed by BUILT’s Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policy (BAS / POL / 02), which forms part of this Code.

10Compliance with law

  1. 10.1BUILT complies with the laws of the United Arab Emirates and of any other jurisdiction in which it performs an appointment.
  2. 10.2BUILT does not act on an instruction that would require a breach of law.

11Raising a concern

  1. 11.1A concern about the conduct of BUILT, or of any person deployed by BUILT, may be raised in confidence with the Principal at richardshotton@built-me.com.
  2. 11.2Concerns are acknowledged within five working days and investigated.
  3. 11.3No person raising a concern in good faith will be disadvantaged by BUILT for having done so.
  4. 11.4Where a concern relates to the conduct of a client’s own personnel, BUILT reports it to the client’s designated officer.

12Review

  1. 12.1This Code is reviewed annually by the Principal, and following any material change to BUILT’s services or to applicable law.

Richard Shotton, FCIOBBUILT Advisory Services FZE LLC
P.O. Box 73111, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, Al Zahia, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates