Working with our suppliers

Our supplier relationships are founded on trust, integrity, fairness and collaboration. We consider environmental, social, ethical and economic factors when purchasing goods and services and expect suppliers to support responsible practices in their own operations and supply chains.

We aim to work with suppliers who share our commitment to reducing environmental impacts, supporting inclusive and fair working practices, respecting human rights and maintaining ethical and accountable business practices.

In return, suppliers can expect us to communicate our requirements clearly, apply them proportionately, handle information responsibly and work collaboratively to address issues where they arise.

Together, the documents below explain the principles, standards and responsible business practices that apply when working with us.

• Read our Sustainable Procurement Policy
• Read our Supplier Code of Conduct
• Read our Code of Ethics

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for our colleagues, clients and other people who work with or interact with Irwin Mitchell.

We expect suppliers and their employees, workers, contractors, agents and subcontractors to treat everyone they encounter through their work with Irwin Mitchell with dignity and respect and take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment, including sexual harassment, or discrimination, as required by various legislative provisions, including (but not limited to) the Employment Rights Act 2025, the Health and Safety Act 1974 and the Equality Act 2010. Where supplier personnel interact with our colleagues, clients or other people through their work with Irwin Mitchell, suppliers may be asked to demonstrate that they have appropriate policies, training, reporting and investigation arrangements in place and to cooperate with us where a concern arises.

If you experience or become aware of harassment or other inappropriate conduct connected with Irwin Mitchell or our supply chain, you can use the confidential reporting route below. 

Irwin Mitchell uses the Hellios Financial Supplier Qualification System, known as FSQS, to support proportionate supplier due diligence and assurance.

What is FSQS?

FSQS is an online process for collecting, checking and maintaining supplier assurance and compliance information. It supports a more consistent approach to due diligence and may reduce the need for suppliers to provide the same information repeatedly where they work with other organisations participating in FSQS.

Who needs to complete it?

Participation is by invitation. Suppliers may be invited to complete or refresh FSQS as part of a tender, onboarding activity, contract renewal or periodic assurance review or where a relevant change occurs. Not every supplier will be required to participate.

Depending on the goods or services provided and the risks involved, we may request additional information or assurance outside FSQS.

Who does what?

Hellios administers the FSQS process, including issuing invitations, collecting and checking supplier information and maintaining information on the platform. Hellios does not select or approve suppliers on behalf of Irwin Mitchell. Supplier selection, due diligence decisions, approvals and relationship management remain the responsibility of Irwin Mitchell.

Supplier support

If you have been invited to complete FSQS, your invitation will explain what you need to do and any applicable deadlines.

• Hellios Supplier Support: fsqs@hellios.com
• Telephone: 01865 959 120
• Read the FSQS Supplier Information Brochure

If you have a concern or information about the conduct of one of our suppliers, or conduct otherwise connected with our supply chain, you can contact us confidentially via SpeakUp@IrwinMitchell.com.

For example, you may be concerned about suspected modern slavery, worker exploitation, sexual harassment, retaliation, or other unlawful, unethical or inappropriate conduct.

We will treat your email, identity and information provided sensitively and will share it only with those who need to know in order to assess or address the concern. We may need to disclose this information to the extent required by the law or our regulators.

If you do not provide your name or contact details for us to consider the information you supply. However, if we cannot contact you, this may limit our ability to investigate, ask follow-up questions, or provide you with an update.

Modern slavery concerns can also be reported to the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700.

Is someone in immediate danger? Call 999.