Code of Conduct

1. Why we have a code

SVEF works because senior people speak candidly in a room they trust. That trust is not automatic — it depends on everyone present holding to the same standards. This code applies to members, guests, speakers, partners and staff, at every event and in every channel we run.

2. Confidentiality

Unless we state otherwise, our gatherings run under the Chatham House Rule. You may use what you hear. You may not attribute it — not by name, not by organisation, and not by description specific enough to identify the speaker.

Do not record, photograph or livestream a session without explicit permission.

Treat commercially sensitive information shared in confidence as confidential, whether or not anyone says so at the time.

3. Respect

Engage with ideas, robustly if you like, but not with people. Disagreement is welcome; personal attacks are not.

Harassment of any kind is not tolerated. That includes unwelcome comments about a person's background or identity, unwanted physical contact, and persistent unwanted attention.

Make room for other voices. A roundtable where one person speaks for half the session has failed, regardless of how good the point was.

4. No selling

SVEF is not a sales channel. Do not use member introductions, attendee lists or event access to pitch products or services.

Follow up with people you met by all means — but a follow-up is a conversation, not a campaign. Do not add anyone to a mailing list because you met them at an SVEF event.

5. Integrity

Represent your role and your organisation accurately.

Declare a conflict of interest when one is relevant to what is being discussed.

If you are speaking on behalf of an organisation with a commercial stake in the topic, say so.

6. Raising a concern

If something breaches this code, tell us at info@svexecutiveforum.com or speak to any member of SVEF staff at an event. We will take it seriously, keep it confidential so far as we are able, and tell you what we intend to do.

We will not retaliate against anyone for raising a concern in good faith, and we will not tolerate anyone else doing so.

7. Consequences

Depending on what happened, we may issue a warning, ask someone to leave an event, withdraw access to future events, or terminate membership. Serious matters may be reported to the relevant authorities.