Significant controls and enhancements have been implemented (and reviewed by law firm Eversheds Sutherland) to achieve an explicit culture of integrity, honesty and compliance across Kingspan Insulation UK, and also the broader Kingspan Group to prevent any reoccurrence in any other part of our global business. Critically, we are rolling out ISO 37301:2021 - the leading internationally recognised standard for Compliance Management Systems - across our Group.
The Grenfell Tower tragedy has caused the entire construction industry and its regulatory bodies to examine how it operates. In light of shortcomings identified as part of the Inquiry process (that were in no way causative of the fire), Kingspan Group appointed law firm Eversheds Sutherland to conduct a rigorous review of its UK insulation boards business to ascertain how the issues occurred, what changes had already been made by the business, and what further actions should be taken. Kingspan immediately published the recommendations in February 2021 and agreed to implement them in full alongside meaningful enhancements identified from within the business.
Kingspan subsequently published a Progress Update (in March 2022) and an implementation verification report from Eversheds Sutherland entitled Audit on Progress against Eversheds Sutherland’s Review Recommendations (in January 2024)
Measures implemented include:
- Renewed compliance and leadership strategy.
- Audit, compliance, reporting, traceability and continuous training.
- Governance - a subcommittee of the Kingspan Group Plc board has been established to include Non-Executive directors, and to monitor compliance in respect of testing, accreditation and marketing functions.
- Enhanced code of conduct and whistle-blower policy has been published, and continuous training has been provided in respect of compliance controls.
- Enhanced systems and processes have been implemented.
Useful links:
Eversheds Sutherland Recommendations February 2021
Update on Progress against Eversheds Sutherland Recommendation March 1 2022
Audit on Progress against Eversheds Sutherland’s Review Recommendations – January 2024
Kingspan Insulation Reforms Submission to DHLUC November 2022