Corporate Social Responsibility

The CBI defines corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) as the acknowledgement by companies that they should be accountable for the impact of their activities on society and/or the environment.    

EMW Picton Howell, we take this responsibility to the community and the wider world seriously.  A series of measures have been implemented that help us to minimise the impact that we have on the world’s resources whilst aiming to support and sustain our local community.   

Our commitment to these issues can be categorised under the following headings:  

EMW Picton Howell and MK
EMW Picton Howell and the environment
EMW Picton Howell  and its people  

EMW Picton Howell and MK  

EMW Picton Howell has been active in the MK business community for 12 years.  It is through this link that we have developed a keen interest in MK as a city, the communities it serves and the development of the people who live there.  

EMW Picton Howell are active supporters of the MK Community Foundation.  We are sponsors of a named fund which provides grants to projects for young people and projects that promote community cohesion.  MK Community Foundation make grants each year to voluntary organisations and, on our behalf, direct our funds to activities in the areas that we have highlighted.  

EMW Picton Howell provide pro-bono advice to the Northamptonshire Scouts, Milton Keynes Dons Football Club Education and Sports Trust and Milton Keynes Theatre & Gallery and to CRY (Child Rights and You – an Indian Protection Charity), amongst others.  We also contribute in other ways – one of our Principals is a member of the Council and Audit Committee at Cranfield University and another is a member of the main board sub-committee for the Midsummer Homes Housing Association and Parks Trust.

EMW Picton Howell and the environment  

Like any other business, EMW Picton Howell interacts with and impacts on the environment.  What makes us a little different are the steps that we are taking to minimise any negative environmental impact that running a modern law office can have.  

Our office

We occupy a purpose built office which was awarded a “very good” rating by BREEAM at completion.  The office enjoys many modern energy saving systems such as movement-sensitive lighting, leading energy efficient hand dryers and full recycling facilities.   

The office uses 100% recycled paper, recycles all office waste and encourages people to use re-usable cups in the café via a discount scheme.  We have tried to incorporate the recycling and re-using ethos into everything we do.   

Travel

We operate a “cycle to work” scheme which promotes the use of bicycles for the journey to work.  We also offer payments to people who car share.  We even provide a Smart car for running errands as opposed to people using their own cars (the greenness of which we can have little control over).   Travel is a necessary part of our business, particularly when our clients are based across the country.  We try to use public transport wherever possible.  

EMW Picton Howell and its people  

We take the health and well being of our people very seriously.  We offer health based benefits together with corporate membership at several gyms.  

We have profit share schemes in place and flexible working practices.  Personal development appraisals are held quarterly and are an opportunity to discuss each person’s progress.   

Each year the whole firm attends an annual conference where plans for our future are discussed and everyone has the chance to ask any Principal any questions they have about EMW Picton Howell.  In the evening an award is given to the person who people believe has contributed the most to the firm and its values over the preceding 12 months.  

We are also an Investor in People.