Responsible, thoughtful, sustainable. ESG at KordaMentha.

Constantly improving our commitment to environmental, social and governance initiatives is a fundamental part of the way we do business. We seek to make a positive difference to our clients, our people, and the communities in which we operate through tangible action. Described here are some of the initiatives through which we are taking that action.

Environmental
initiatives Social
initiatives Governance
initiatives

Environmental initiatives

We consider the broader impact of what we do and challenge ourselves to produce better, considered, and more sustainable outcomes. We work to raise awareness of environmental and sustainability issues across the firm and invest in business practices that reduce our environmental footprint.

Lowering the impact of IT equipment

"In partnering with Lenovo we can lessen our impact and lower our carbon footprint."

We look for partnerships that will increase our ability to make a positive change. In partnering with Lenovo in their Co2 offset service, we can process e-waste, lessen our impact, and lower our carbon footprint. The program allows us to recycle our e-waste as well as offset the carbon emission involved in the lifecycle of our equipment, at the same time as contributing to United Nations Climate Action projects, such as reforestation, renewable energy, methane capture and combustion, and biomass.

Saving energy in our real estate projects

"In our Real Estate initiatives, we pursue energy saving measures."

The commercial assets in our portfolio held for long-term investment aim to achieve a 4.5-star NABERS rating and we pursue upgrades where financially and commercially feasible. In our Real Estate initiatives, we pursue energy saving measures such as installation of solar panels, forklift electrification, power efficiency upgrades, and automation. When our projects generate demolition material, we look to divert from landfill. Our aim is to recycle steel framing and roofing and utilise old concrete and masonry for new construction base.

Sourcing sustainably every day

"We minimise the impact of our ordinary business operations."

KordaMentha seeks always to minimise the environmental impact of our ordinary business operations. We adopt technology advancements and ongoing improvement initiatives to reduce our environmental impact. Our Environmental Policy encourages the reduction of our impact, with particular focus on categories including transportation, energy and water, paper and office supplies, maintenance and cleaning and waste management. We review these activities regularly. We source goods and services from social benefit suppliers or enterprises wherever viable and contribute to social benefit businesses through contributions of funds, time and donated goods.

Offsetting our carbon emissions

"A practical way to reduce our environmental impact and join the fight against climate change."

When we organise a KordaMentha event or conference, we register the number of attendees with Greenfleet. By paying $2 per attendee, we help offset our event carbon emissions, including transport, catering and electricity use, as Greenfleet plants native trees in a legally protected biodiverse forest on our behalf. This is a practical, effective and affordable way to reduce our impact on the environment and join the fight against climate change. 

“We seek always to minimise the environmental impact of our business operations.”

Social initiatives

We are cultivating an organisation where everyone belongs, can be heard, and feels supported, valued and connected. We have a long tradition of giving back to our communities and enjoy working together to do this is part of our culture and day-to-day activity.

Supporting 60 charities through Chain Reaction

"Our staff have contributed to raising over $40 million for more than 60 charities."

KordaMentha staff are actively engaged through a range of sports and charity commitments. Chief among these is Chain Reaction. As a major corporate partner of the Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation since 2007, staff have contributed to raising over $40 million for more than 60 charities. KordaMentha houses Chain Reaction within our Melbourne office and provides accommodation, technology and administration support. While helping to raise money for sick children’s charities will always be the main focus of Chain Reaction, KordaMentha staff also benefit from the satisfaction that comes from testing their limits and pulling together as a team.

To find out more, click here.

Working on Reconciliation

"We are committed to listening, learning and building relationships so we can understand."

KordaMentha has produced the firm’s first "Reconciliation Action Plan. Our RAP represents a commitment to improving the understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures among our people and our clients, as well as the communities in which we work. We are committed to listening, learning and building relationships to understand how we can most effectively contribute to achieving better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our RAP provides the framework for how we can build this knowledge, understanding and support.

Caring for children with Bear Cottage

"In addition to raising funds, our staff contribute to Bear Cottage by volunteering their time."

Supporting children’s charities is important to our firm and our people. KordaMentha actively supports Bear Cottage, a children’s hospice run by Westmead Hospital, but designed to be as different as possible from the hospital environment. KordaMentha has helped raise more than $250,000 to support Bear Cottage. In addition to raising funds, KordaMentha staff also contribute to the continuation of Bear Cottage by volunteering their time.

To find out more, click here.

Encouraging female indigenous law students

"Our aim is to nurture the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal leaders."

KordaMentha supports Griffith University’s Joshua Creamer and Kara Cook Excellence in Law Award. The scholarship supports to female Indigenous law students by providing important mentoring and internship opportunities. Its aim is to nurture the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal leaders, as well as increase diversity at the Bar.

“Our policies and practices strengthen diversity and inclusion in our workplace.”

Our policies and practices strengthen diversity and inclusion in our workplace.

"We recruit based on skills, merit, and performance."

We have introduced a range of policies and practices to strengthen diversity and inclusion in our workplace. Our flexible work policy, career break policy and increased parental leave for all parents allow our staff to participate in career development opportunities while maintaining a better work-life balance. We recruit based on skills, merit, and performance, working to remove bias and improve the recruitment experience for all applicants. We continue to address gender parity issues through steps to attract, retain, and develop female and gender diverse colleagues, including KM Connect – a firm-wide initiative working to improve gender equality through enhanced networking, training and mentorship.

To read our employer statement to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency click here.

Governance initiatives

Effective organisational governance underpins the integrity of our work. It is critical to achieving our goals and protecting our clients as well as our firm. We value high standards of trust, empathy and ethical conduct in all our dealings. As a trusted advisor and trustee of third parties’ assets, KordaMentha is committed to implementing best practice in corporate governance. While not required to adopt the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations as a private company, we are guided by the CGPR in the construction of our governance framework. The framework for managing KordaMentha and the entities it controls includes relevant internal controls and a risk management program.

A culture of acting lawfully, ethically and responsibly

"We are committed to meeting stakeholders’ expectations of sound corporate governance."

Through its Board of Directors, Executive Team, committees and leadership groups, KordaMentha is committed to meeting stakeholders’ expectations of sound corporate governance. As a trusted advisory and investment firm, the governance framework has been designed to instil a culture of acting lawfully, ethically and responsibly. The Board of Directors and Executive Team are supported in this by the Risk Management Committee and the Practice Management leaders, underpinned by a code of conduct, plus policies and procedures. Education and training is provided to our employees on an ongoing basis, covering ethics and changes to legislation and regulations that affect our services.

For our legal status, click here.

ISO 27001:2022 certification for security and trust

"It is vital for clients to trust those with whom they do business."

We are ISO 27001:2022 certified firmwide. This is an internationally recognised framework to implement, manage and maintain security controls and effectively manage risk. As cyber breaches increase in number and sophistication, it is vital for clients to trust those with whom they do business. ISO 27001:2022 is the world’s best-known standard for information security management systems and their requirements.

This certification supports KordaMentha’s expertise and provision of cybersecurity, financial crimes, forensic investigations, performance improvement, real estate, restructuring and advisory services. Critically, it provides additional confidence to clients around cybersecurity and privacy protection.

Certificate details.

Modern Slavery code of conduct for suppliers

"Our key suppliers must acknowledge compliance with our Modern Slavery Code of Conduct by declaration."

KordaMentha publishes an annual Modern Slavery Statement, outlining our efforts to prevent and address areas for improvement we may have in modern slavery. KordaMentha and its associated entities meet their disclosure obligations under AFS licences. In addition, we have introduced a Modern Slavery Code of Conduct for Suppliers, which means key suppliers must acknowledge compliance by declaration.

Policy to protect whistleblowers

"We are committed to a work environment in which everyone is able to raise concerns without fear of reprisal."

We value high standards of trust, empathy and ethical conduct in all our dealings. We are committed to creating a work environment in which employees, ex-employees, suppliers, consultants, contractors and family members of these people are able to raise concerns, guided by our Whistleblower policy, regarding unethical, unlawful or undesirable conduct or activities, in confidence and without fear of reprisal.

“We adopt a policy of no tolerance of fraud and corruption.”

We adopt a policy of no tolerance of fraud and corruption.

"We have a policy of no tolerance of fraud and corruption."

We adopt a policy of no tolerance of fraud and corruption in our Anti-fraud and corruption policy. Fraudulent activities and corruption conduct undermine KordaMentha’s ethical culture and bring significant adverse impacts, including loss of trust by our clients, the market, government, regulatory bodies, and employees, affecting reputation and business confidence.

Our ESG culture

ESG is important to KordaMentha staff. Our people work together to recycle, make the most of social enterprise suppliers, volunteer our time, and raise money for charity. It’s another way we work together as a team.

A new era for KordaMentha Melbourne: the office relocates to Rialto from August 21

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