Chapters

5 – Governance

Code of conduct

    In governance, we prioritise ethical practices, transparency, and accountability. We consistently review and improve our policies to align with best practices and regulations. As we prepare for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), we improve our reporting processes and governance frameworks.

    Our commitment to responsible conduct drives our governance framework. Establishing governance practices is crucial for building trust, ensuring transparency, and maintaining accountability. This commitment guides our decision-making processes and fosters a culture of responsibility and accountability.

    Enhanced code of conduct

    Our governance framework is guided by our Code of Conduct, which defines the principles of integrity, transparency, and respect for human rights in all our interactions with colleagues, customers, suppliers, communities, authorities, and stakeholders. It explicitly prohibits unethical practices such as bribery, corruption, and discrimination, affirming our commitment to responsible and lawful conduct. This code applies to all individuals acting on behalf of Euroports Group or its controlled subsidiaries.

    Our business partners, suppliers and customers must follow the same ethical standards. Our Code of Conduct is regularly updated to reflect changing standards and goals. It is crucial to our moral standards and behaviour, helping us strive for sustainable and ethical business practices.

    Our company’s Code of Conduct sets forth the objectives and guidelines that demonstrate our commitment to responsible, ethical, and lawful behaviour. It applies to all individuals representing the company or its subsidiaries and is enforced in any business we invest in. We anticipate that our business partners, including suppliers and customers, will uphold the same ethical principles. Essentially, the Code of Conduct is an embodiment of our core Values.

    Marie‑Hélène Van Raemdonck - Legal Officer Euroports Group

    Whistleblowing

      Our commitment to fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and integrity is steadfast. We have refined our Whistleblowing policy, procedure, and tool throughout the year to ensure their effectiveness and accessibility.

      Employees are strongly encouraged to report internally any instances of fraud, deliberate errors in financial records, deficiencies in internal controls, false statements, or deviations from full and fair reporting. Our whistleblowing procedure, designed to comply with local legislation, enables the reporting of all illegal and unethical conduct that violates our Code of Conduct. We remain determined in our commitment to fostering a culture where all individuals feel empowered to speak up against wrongdoing and contribute to our collective obligation to ethical business practices.

       

      Link : Whistleblowing

      Anti-bribery and Corruption

        Euroports has a strict compliance and anti-corruption policy to ensure that we follow all relevant laws and regulations to reduce the risks associated with bribery and corruption. The Euroports Anti-Bribery and Corruption Program is based on our dedication to integrity and ethical conduct, and it includes strong measures to prevent, detect, and address any instances of bribery within our operations.

         

        The program ensures compliance of Euroports and its affiliates with legal requirements and take proactive steps to protect against bribery-related risks. We promote a culture of transparancy, accountability, and ethical behaviour throughout the organisation. We achieve this through governance mechanisms, risk assessments, comprehensive policies, thorough due diligence, regular training, and effective reporting channels.

        Security

          We understand that IT is not just about hardware and software but also people and processes. To protect the confidential and sensitive data of our customers, employees, and other stakeholders, we have implemented comprehensive information security policies covering access control to incident management and continuously update them to address emerging threats.

          Understanding that human error is a significant challenge in cybersecurity, we have launched a continuous cybersecurity awareness training program. This program educates our workforce on threats like phishing scams, suspicious emails, and social engineering tactics, with mandatory participation for all Euroports employees using digital tools.

          To assess the effectiveness of our training, we annually conduct a Security Awareness Proficiency Assessment and regularly perform fake phishing tests. These measures help us evaluate training impact and the overall cyber-awareness within our organisation. We are committed to fostering a cybersecurity culture that values and rewards good practices and encourages reporting of suspicious activities.

          Our strategy includes creating an environment where everyone is actively involved in protecting our systems, data, and operations by educating staff on best practices and the risks of negligent behaviour. Additionally, our quarterly Cyber Security Board, led by our Group CEO, oversees cybersecurity risks, addresses arising issues, and drives improvement initiatives.

          Ensuring cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding sensitive information, maintaining business operations, and achieving our sustainability goals. By protecting our systems and data from cyber threats, we ensure the continuity and resilience of our operations, minimising disruptions and aligning with our commitment to responsible and secure IT practices.

          In today’s business world, ICT is an essential link in daily operations.
          At Euroports, we align ICT with ESG requirements with a maximum in sustainable innovation, responsible governance and continuity. Strategic focus on Cloud Computing and SaaS solutions, minimises the ecological footprint of Euroports’ ICT, streamlines resource management, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. Together with a firm focus on Cybersecurity, this approach not only supports ethical business practices but also builds trust with stakeholders, ultimately contributing to long-term sustainability and societal well-being.

          patrick Van den branden - IT Security Officer Euroports Group

          IT Practices

            Sustainability is a crucial business strategy focus, and information technology is critical in achieving our goals.
            As we increasingly rely on technology, minimising the environmental impact of our IT operations is essential.
            Our IT practices, from energy consumption to electronic waste, can significantly affect the environment.

            To address these challenges, we are committed to integrating sustainable practices into our operations by investing in energy-efficient hardware and leveraging the latest technology to reduce our environmental impact, improve operational efficiency, and cut costs. Our shift to a SaaS-first and whole-cloud strategy, utilising green cloud providers, has enabled us to minimise our carbon footprint while enhancing efficiency and cost savings.
            As a result, we have closed several data centres in alignment with our sustainability goals.

            Sustainability Awards

              In 2023, we launched the Sustainability Awards to recognise excellence in sustainability practices within our organisation. These awards honours countries management team that show dedication to sustainability across various aspects of their operations. Euroports Spain and Euroports Germany won the first Sustainability Awards for 2023, as they demonstrated outstanding commitment to reducing environmental impact (lowest GHG emissions per kton handled + highest renewable energy numbers) and promoting social responsibility (highest number of social initiatives).

              Looking ahead, we are committed to encouraging sustainability principles and involving our employees in driving positive change. Initiatives like the Sustainability Awards aim to inspire and empower all Euroports countries to integrate sustainability into their operations and contribute to a more sustainable future for all.

               

              Pia Ziegan Financial Controller Euroports Germany, Karsten Lentz, Managing Director Euroports Germany, Anja Melzer HR Manager, Euroports Germany.