Conflicts of Interest Policy
Section 1 Scope of the GDP Conflicts of Interest Policy
This policy outlines the principles and procedures for managing conflicts of interest within GDP as an approved training centre and is aimed at GDP staff and associates who are tutors or coaches, assessors or internal verifiers (moderators).
Section 2 Conflict of Interest policy
2.1 Definition and examples
A conflict of interest arises when an individual has authority in a matter in which they also have an additional interest which conflicts with their role and can compromise their decision making.
Example of a conflict of interest could be: An individual involved in any capacity with a course in which they also have a personal interest in the success or otherwise of a learner – for instance if the learner is a relative or friend.
Conflicts of interest may also be perceived and should therefore be declared. For example:
- When a person in authority is working for more than one company which are in competition
- When a person in authority is making decisions of any kind that relate to a family member or close friend
- When a person acting as a tutor or assessor working for the company also owns a business that is in competition.
2.2 Process
All staff members including tutors and assessors are obligated to disclose any known or potential or perceivable conflicts of interest. The process is as follows:
All staff complete a conflict of interest form to declare actual or perceived conflicts of interest
- Maintenance of a Register of Interests
- Register of Interests being updated if any changes occur to an individual’s portfolio of interests
- The COI form is completed even in circumstances where none exist.
2.3 Action
In situations of a conflict of interest being identified appropriate actions will be taken to mitigate outcomes; penalise individuals if appropriate; and ensure remedial action to avoid recurrence.The process, approach and decisions made in any circumstance will be documented and files together with the COI register.
Examples of actions could include:
Examples of actions could include:
- Exclusion from decision making in matters where there is a conflict of interest
- Transfer of responsibilities
- Referral of issue to senior management to resolve appropriately.
Section 3 Policy review
This policy is reviewed regularly and revisions are made in response to changes in legislation, changes in our practices, actions from our regulatory or external agencies, and / or in response to customer and stakeholder feedback.
Section 4 GDP contact and feedback
If you have any feedback or queries regarding this policy, please contact GDP’s Internal Quality Assessor by email at iqa@gdpglobal.com.
About GDP Global Development Ltd. Policy Documents
As an accredited training centre, GDP Global Ltd (GDP) has policies and procedures in place to fulfil Approval and Regulatory requirements and to provide a route map for GDP staff members, associates and learners.
The policies reflect the internal practice(s) of GDP, the purpose of which is to ensure that the staff and associates of GDP are familiar with their content and the processes involved.
The policies, procedures and guidelines are updated regularly. As an accredited learner Centre, the policy documents of GDP Global are subject to an annual review by accreditation bodies. The purpose of the review is to ascertain whether the policies, procedures and internal procedures are up-to-date and aligned to changes that have been made throughout the year.
This Policy also applies to GDP KnowHow which is a division of GDP Global Development Ltd.
Last reviewed: July 2022
