Corporate Conscience Index: Understanding ethical decision-making in UK organisations
In an increasingly turbulent and unpredictable geopolitical environment, understanding what ‘doing the right thing’ means in business, and the role legal professionals play in shaping this, has never been more important.
The legal industry is naturally guided and governed by a rigorous framework of legislation and terminology, but when it comes to defining moral and ethical obligations, there is great flexibility and nuance. In a landscape where executives and businesses are facing increasing scrutiny from media outlets, customers and their own employees, organisations must clearly define how they are ensuring business best practice through an ethical and moral lens.
At the same time, in-house legal professionals must develop the level of engagement required with their senior stakeholders, to not only avoid ethical mishaps from occurring, but help shape future policy and guide businesses into acting in a better way.
But first, we must take stock of the lay of the land. How are UK mid-sized and enterprise businesses approaching ethical and moral decision-making today? What impact is the increasingly divisive geopolitical environment having on “doing good”? And how influential are senior legal professionals in shaping better business practice?
We spoke to 250 UK-based senior legal professionals to answer some questions and compiled the responses into our newly launched ‘corporate conscience index’.
Lead with integrity: Corporate conscience index 2025
Explore how UK legal professionals are shaping ethical business practices. Based on our survey of 250 General Counsels and Chief Legal Officers, our corporate conscience index 2025 reveals how organisations are balancing profit with purpose to build a more responsible future.
The state of play
Encouragingly, our research does paint a generally positive picture of business best practice. The vast majority (88%) of UK organisations have ethical decision-making frameworks in place, and 86% of the legal leaders we interviewed engage with senior management on ethical matters at least quarterly.
Those surveyed were asked to rank their organisation between one (lowest) and ten (highest) on their approach to moral issues including whistleblower protection, employee rights, supply chain sustainability, corporate governance and DE&I. The majority (64%, 68%, 67%, 65% and 62% respectively) ranked above eight in each subset. Over a half of legal professionals (58%) stated that they feel comfortable speaking up about ethical issues and almost all (90%) revealed their ethical guidance is 'somewhat likely' or 'very likely' to be listened to.
Although these statistics are positive, the findings do not tell the full story, however. Clouds are on the horizon in the form of an increasingly changing and unpredictable geopolitical environment, and work needs to be done to futureproof the UK's approach to business ethics.
Profits trump ethics in an uncertain world
This is where our research started to throw up some concerning trends. Quite shockingly, over half (54%) of respondents revealed that their organisation had made changes to the way they approach ethical policies and practices due to the prevailing political climate driven by the Trump presidency. A further third (32%) noted they were actively discussing making changes in the future.
The findings also brought to light the growing tension which now exists within UK boardrooms when it comes to the financial pressures of 'doing the right thing'. Over half (54%) of the legal leaders interviewed stated that profit motivations regularly came into direct conflict with ethical and moral concerns in senior decision-making. And 83% stated that too frequently, 'doing the right thing' now comes secondary to profit when decisions are being made.
The sad truth is that, despite events of improper business practice, such as those seen in the Post Office scandal, a drive for profit can significantly impact or impede ethical decision-making. This, coupled with outside influence, exposes a troubling reality. While UK businesses often express commitment to doing the right thing, they can abandon valuable ethical and moral initiatives in response to financial constraints and changing political attitudes.
Doing the right thing: Why legal leaders must lead the way
‘Doing the right thing’ is the value that motivated us to stand up and fight for every single one of the sub-postmasters embroiled in the Post Office scandal. And in light of these new findings, it must become the message of motivation for businesses across the nation.
We are confident that by publishing these findings, we will further the discussion and encourage legal professionals to drive change where they can. Well over three quarters (83%) agree that ethics in business is more important than ever, and now is the time for the industry to come together and commit to driving better ethical decision-making across business.
It is only by making a concerted effort to come together, build relationships with senior stakeholders and drive better business decision-making, that we will create a more moral and ethical environment for all.
The content of this page is a summary of the law in force at the date of publication and is not exhaustive, nor does it contain definitive advice. Specialist legal advice should be sought in relation to any queries that may arise.
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