The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
As an organisation in receipt of public funds, the British Council must ensure that whenever it engages in trading activities, it does so in a way that reflects its commitment to fair competition while not compromising the achievement of its purpose.
The British Council delivers its charitable objectives through revenue-generating activities as well as through partnerships and other activities funded by grant-in-aid from UK government. In line with our Royal Charter everything we do, including our revenue generating activities, must deliver those objectives.
The Board of Trustees recognises that the British Council’s brand, status and activities could have an impact on competition in the markets in which it operates.
The British Council is committed to:
- conducting all its activities in a fair and reasonable manner which is in line with its charitable objectives and which avoids negative impact upon competition
- carrying out its activities in compliance with all applicable United Kingdom and international competition and charity laws
- ensuring its activities do not jeopardise its reputation and brand
- ensuring that effective procedures are in place to ensure financial separation between funds granted by the UK Government and those received from other sources
- providing an independent fair competition complaints procedure.
We will provide adequate and appropriate resources to implement this global policy statement and will ensure it is communicated and understood.
The British Council will review this global policy statement annually to reflect new legal and regulatory developments and ensure good practice.
This global policy statement was approved by Scott McDonald, Chief Executive, in April 2024 and is due for review in March 2025.