Governance
Why governance matters
Good governance is about more than compliance. It helps us make better decisions, manage risk effectively and act with integrity. It creates clarity about responsibilities, supports transparency in decision-making and helps ensure we operate in line with our values.
Our ambition is simple: to run our business responsibly, treat people fairly, and earn the trust of everyone who has a stake in what we do.
How we focus our efforts
Our governance approach focuses on three areas that help ensure we operate with integrity, accountability and transparency.
- Board oversight: Our Board provides strategic direction, oversees risk and ensures good governance remains central to how we operate and grow.
- Responsible business: We are committed to conducting business ethically and responsibly. This includes how we work with customers, manage suppliers, compete in the market and create social and environmental impact through our work.
- People and policies: Clear policies, standards and guidance help our people make informed decisions and understand what is expected of them. By embedding these consistently across Kainos, governance becomes practical and relevant to everyday work.
Board oversight
Board members: Meet our senior team here
Board committees: The Board contains three committees for Audit, Nomination and Remuneration, click here to view the formal terms of references.
Board ESG responsibilities: Our Board oversees ESG priorities, targets and progress at Kainos. It also monitors evolving ESG regulations and standards, helping ensure compliance, manage risk and support responsible business practices. The following Board members have oversight of key ESG areas:
- Environment: Chair, Rosaleen Blair, supported by CEO, Brendan Mooney
- Social: CEO, Brendan Mooney
- Governance: Senior Independent Director, James Kidd
Responsible business
Corporate governance
We’re committed to high standards of business conduct. We embrace our responsibility as a global technology company to engage in business practices that are ethical and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. View our Annual Report to learn more about our Corporate Governance approach.
ESG governance
ESG is supported by a network of groups across Kainos, including our Board, ESG Impact Group, Culture and Development Group, Leadership teams and Employee Network Groups. This helps ensure ESG priorities are informed by expertise from across our organisation and remain embedded in how we operate and make decisions.
Ethics
Our Code of Ethics outlines the standards we expect across areas including wellbeing, equality, environmental responsibility, integrity and transparency. It provides practical guidance for our people and clear routes for raising concerns. These principles help ensure we act responsibly and consistently in our relationships with customers, suppliers, partners and colleagues.
Responsible AI
We believe AI should be developed and used responsibly. As AI becomes increasingly important for our customers, people and society, we are committed to ensuring it is ethical, transparent and aligned with our values.
That means actively managing risks such as bias, privacy and security, while promoting the responsible design and use of technology. By embedding these principles into how we work, we aim to build trust, support innovation and help ensure AI is used in ways that create long-term value and positive outcomes.
Our AI Framework sets out how we put these principles into practice across Kainos. Learn more about our AI framework here.
Data privacy
Protecting personal information is a fundamental part of how we operate responsibly. We are committed to complying with GDPR and applicable data protection laws, while ensuring personal data is handled securely, transparently and with care. Our approach combines clear policies, defined responsibilities and robust safeguards to help protect the information entrusted to us. By maintaining high standards of privacy and accountability, we support the trust our customers, employees and partners place in Kainos.
Read our Privacy Notice at here.
Protecting the information entrusted to us by our customers, partners and people is a fundamental part of how we operate. Our approach to security combines robust technology, effective processes and ongoing awareness training to help prevent, detect and respond to security threats. We continuously strengthen our ability to identify risks, manage vulnerabilities and respond effectively to emerging threats. Security is supported by both the systems we implement and the actions of our people, which is why awareness and education remain an important part of our approach.
Our security management system is independently certified to ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus standards.
Further information about our security and data privacy programme, including certifications, policies and supporting documentation, is available through the Kainos Trust Centre.
Risk management
Effective risk management is essential to responsible business. Our Audit and Risk Committee ensures that risks are identified, assessed, and managed across Kainos, and that all significant risks are reported and actioned at group level. This gives our board and leadership teams the visibility they need to make informed decisions, and it gives our stakeholders confidence that we take risk seriously. Learn more about our Audit and Risk committee here.