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Corporate Policies

The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) aspires to highest standards of corporate governance and seeks to embed best practice in a series of policies that apply to its staff, freelancers and contractors. Some of our key corporate policies are summarised below.

Find out more about the Royal Ballet and Opera.

People Policies

The Royal Ballet and Opera unreservedly condemns modern slavery and human trafficking wherever in the world it occurs and is committed to a zero-tolerance approach by continuously improving its practices in relation to every part of its business as well as its supply chain.

Royal Ballet and Opera is required to publicise annually, on its website, its activities over the latest financial year aimed towards the eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking. This is our eighth annual statement.

During the 2023/2024 Season we have continued to be vigilant regarding our new and existing suppliers.

Operational activities:

·       Selected a new finance and procurement solution which will be implemented by September 2025

·       Continued to assess Modern Slavery Act 2015 adherence for high value suppliers

·       Completed a follow up inspection with our internal audit team.

·       Simplified and redrafted our due diligence policy

·       Redesigned our procurement and due diligence templates and tracking documents.

·       Included our Supplier Code of Conduct on our public website

·       Developed a specific Costume Code of Conduct for our freelance costume makers,

Training and communication activities:

·       Re-launched our online Modern Slavery Awareness module which has been completed by 262 staff members.

·       Promoted awareness through articles in our staff newsletter, ‘House News’

·       Included due diligence in a new Procurement induction session, attended by 78 staff members who are involved in making or approving purchases at RBO across the Season. 

Ensuring effectiveness in the future

Plans for the coming year include:

·       Our Head of Procurement attending  a 3-day training course on modern slavery due diligence in the Autumn.

·       Updating our Modern Slavery and Ethical Trading Policy in line with our policy review process.

·       Continuing with our existing training activities.

·       Implement our new finance and procurement system, understand the implications for supplier due diligence and  plan any required next steps

View or download Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement October 2024 – September 2024 here

The Royal Ballet and Opera Safeguarding approach is in two strands. The first protects children, young people and adults at risk; and the second protects staff and artists (paid or unpaid) from Bullying and Harassment.

Safeguarding Children and Young People

The Royal Ballet and Opera Safeguarding Policy for Children, Young People and Adults at Risk sets out our commitment to protecting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults who require care and support; ensuring that our members of staff are kept informed and supported and adhere to effective procedures for recording and responding to complaints and alleged or suspected incidents of abuse. The Royal Ballet and Opera operates within the City of Westminster safety guidelines for children in stage performances. The HR Director has primary responsibility for Safeguarding within their management responsibilities. They are supported in this role by the Safeguarding Manager. The HR Director chairs the bi-annual Safeguarding Committee, which oversees and reviews the policy and procedures.

These are supported by the following procedures and guidelines:

  • Protecting Children in Performance Activities
  • Protecting Children in Non-Performance Activities
  • Photographing Children at the Royal Opera House
Bullying and Harassment Policy

All individuals have the right to work without fear of harassment or abuse, whether on the grounds of sex, race or colour, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, trade union membership or duties or indeed any ground. It is the Royal Ballet and Opera policy to make every effort to provide a working environment free of harassment and intimidation. Harassment may constitute unlawful behaviour. It is also improper and inappropriate behaviour that lowers morale and interferes with work effectiveness. It makes the work environment threatening. Such behaviour is unwelcome and unacceptable. It is against the policies of the Royal Ballet and Opera for an employee to harass another employee. Such conduct will not be condoned or tolerated. Whilst the implementation of the policy is the duty of the managers and supervisors, all employees are expected to comply with this policy and take appropriate measures to ensure that such conduct does not occur. Appropriate disciplinary action, including dismissal for serious offences, will be taken against any employee who violates this policy.

View or download Bullying and harassment policy and procedures (PDF 167.0 KB)

Policy last updated May 2024

Hotline: 0808 196 5761

roh.ethicspoint.com

The Royal Ballet and Opera encourages all members of staff to raise any concerns that they may have about the conduct of others in the organisation in relation to any suspected instances of fraud, misconduct or wrongdoing. This policy sets out the Royal Ballet and Opera’s position in these matters and lays out a procedure for individuals to raise any concerns and how those concerns will be dealt with. The procedure applies to all employees, casual staff, contractors and freelance staff.

Organisational Policies

This policy applies to Trustees, the Executive team and senior managers with procurement responsibilities and/or in receipt of hospitality and gifts. Trustees and senior staff of the Royal Ballet and Opera must ensure that their personal or business interests outside work do not conflict with those of the Royal Ballet and Opera. Accordingly we ask trustees and senior staff to declare their interests (and any gifts or hospitality received over £50) in connection with their role in the Royal Ballet and Opera. A declaration of interests form is provided for this purpose and the declaration of interests form needs is updated annually.

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to provide clear guidance for the prevention and detection of fraud to ensure that the assets of the Royal Ballet and Opera are safeguarded. The Royal Ballet and Opera encourages a culture of honesty, reliability and trustworthiness throughout the organization and is committed to ensuring that opportunities for fraud are minimized.

This policy set out the steps taken by the Royal Ballet and Opera to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees and visitors to its premises, in according the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. To this end the Royal Ballet and Opera requires all visitors to comply with its House Rules and accepted codes of conduct. In terms of governance, the Health and Safety Committee provides the formal forum for consultation on health and safety matters with the recognised Trade Unions. It is supported by the Health and Safety Management Group, which directs the programme of health and safety activity within the organisation.

The Royal Ballet and Opera Board of Trustees oversees the direction and control of the Royal Ballet and Opera, including the active management of health and safety. The Board ensures that there is a sufficient budget allocation to put the organisation’s Health and Safety Policy into practice and is committed to encouraging a positive health and safety culture, which is visible throughout the organisation.

Financial Policies

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to provide clear guidance for the prevention and detection of bribery and corruption in the Royal Ballet and Opera. The Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy applies to all staff, artists, casuals, freelancers, contractors or sub-contractors working for or on behalf of the Royal Ballet and Opera, or when working with third parties for or on behalf of the RBO. We recognise that an act of bribery or corruption is illegal, under the Bribery Act, 2010. It is our policy to conduct all of our business in an honest and ethical manner and we are committed to ensuring adherence to the highest legal and ethical standards, implementing and enforcing systems to counter bribery and corruption.

The Royal Ballet and Opera is grateful for all funding received in furtherance of its charitable objects.

The Royal Ballet and Opera is committed to following fundraising best practice and the Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising Practice. The Royal Ballet and Opera undertakes to comply with relevant law and regulations, including the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and the Bribery Act 2010, data protection law, tax and Gift Aid legislation and Charity Commission guidance, as well as its own corporate policies.

Ultimate responsibility for accepting or declining funding lies with the Board of Trustees, as the Royal Ballet and Opera's governing body. The Board has a duty to act at all times in the best interests of the Royal Ballet and Opera as a charity, including when deciding whether to accept or decline offers of funding. The Royal Ballet and Opera has established policies and procedures on the acceptance of funds and may conduct due diligence research on prospective sources of funding (including individuals). While each case is considered individually, funding will be declined where it might cause the Royal Ballet and Opera to breach its legal obligations or be detrimental to the achievement of the Royal Ballet and Opera's charitable purposes.

Should the Board determine to decline support it would follow Charity Commission Guidance, and where appropriate seek Charity Commission advice.

Ultimate responsibility for the rejection, acceptance and return of funding lies with the Board of Trustees. Day-to-day responsibility for assessing potential donations and corporate partnerships for compliance and risk is delegated to the Development team who report to the Board on a regular basis. A sub-committee of the Board, the Donation and Income Acceptance Committee, is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Board’s policy on accepting funds.

The Donation and Income Acceptance Committee comprises:

  • Chair
  • Senior Independent Director
  • Trustee with legal expertise
  • Trustee Chair of Development Committee
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Director of Development and Enterprises
  • Director of Audiences and Media

Final decisions may be referred to the Board. Where appropriate the Board may seek external advice, including from the Charity Commission.

Any data collation will be carried out in full compliance of the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This includes maintaining confidentiality and keeping information for time limited periods. Fundraising communications will be conducted in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 and any applicable direct marketing guidance issued by the ICO or Fundraising Regulator.

For further information on how we process personal data, including prospect due diligence, managing contact with donors and the impact of new legislation, please see the RBO Privacy policy.

The Royal Ballet and Opera is committed to best practice in the procurement of goods and services, and has particular obligations in this regard as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organization. This policy sets out the principles which the Royal Ballet and Opera seeks to adhere to in procurement activities, including pursuing Value for Money (VfM), promoting environmental and social sustainability, encouraging transparent and fair competition, and adhering to ethical standards.

This policy ensures that the Royal Ballet and Opera Group has a clear expenses framework that balances consistency with the flexibility to meet the employee and the Royal Ballet and Opera Group’s needs. It is the Royal Ballet and Opera’s intention that employees should neither lose nor gain financially as a result of incurring expenditure on Royal Ballet and Opera business. It also sets out the procedures to be adopted when making a claim for payment.

Data and audience policies

This policy sets out the requirements for Data Protection at the Royal Ballet and Opera, to ensure that all personal information is treated lawfully and correctly, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and related legislation including the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. Our privacy policy explains in more detail how we protect the privacy of customer data.

This policy sets out the Royal Ballet and Opera's commitment to managing records and documents in accordance with five key principles. These principles are that reliable records must be created in accordance with common standards, information must be shared rather than managed as a personal resource, access to confidential information must be restricted, information must be organized in a logical and consistent way and records must be retained for agreed periods of time. In accordance with the final principle, appropriate records must be passed to our Collections department to provide a historical record of the organization’s work.

This policy sets out the procedure for making a complaint about the Royal Ballet and Opera including making a complaint about fundraising practice.

View or download Complaints Policy (PDF, 116 KB)

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Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)