Code of conduct
Membership of the Institute is a privilege and the disciplines and standards of behavior expected of Members must uphold the reputation of the profession and the Institute.
The Institute of Business Development is the leading professional body for Business Development Managers. Supporting career and personal development as well as mobility, the Institute’s educational programmes and qualifying examinations provide recognized qualifications for commercial management and business development staff working in the following key industry sectors.
This reputation could easily be marred by the shortcomings of a few Members. The interests of employers and clients of those Members of the Institute whose business is that of offering advice or providing services must also be protected.
Council therefore believes that Members will welcome guidance upon matters of a professional nature and issues this Code of Professional Conduct which represents those standards which can be expected to be the minimum necessary to uphold the professional integrity of Members of the Institute.
To a certain extent, professional conduct depends on basic attitudes and morality. No code can cover every set of facts and circumstances. Moreover, one danger of attempting to set a code is that anything that is not specifically forbidden may come to be regarded as permissible – this is not the case.
One of the fundamental principles applying to a Member of the Institute is that he/she observes the spirit as much as the letter of the Code of Professional Conduct. The hallmark of a true professional is his/her honesty, integrity, independence and impartiality. Without prejudice to these general requirements, the following standards shall apply to all Members.
Members must at all times conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the good reputation of the profession and of the Institute. This includes:
(1) The obligation to observe the regulations of the Institute as set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association, this Code of Professional Conduct and any determination of Council;
(2) The obligation to act in compliance with all statutory and other legal requirements current from time to time;
(3) Recognizing any other professional customs or practices, whether or not constituting legal requirements, including the guidelines or codes of conduct of other professional or regulatory bodies, which affect them or those with whom they have contact during the course of their work.
(4) Acting objectively in all work they undertake, observing high standards of integrity and fair dealing;
(5) Conducting their professional work with proper regard to the technical and
professional standards expected of them.
Members Must:
(1) Not miss-represent their Membership of the Institute or claim that they have
qualifications which they do not hold;
(2) Ensure that any advertisement or other public announcements with which
their names or qualifications are associated will not bring the Institute into
disrespect;
(3) Ensure that it is clear that they are professionally responsible for any advice which they give or services which they provide and that they can be identified as the source of the advice or services; and
(4) Not act in situations where they have insufficient relevant experience except in co-operation or with the guidance of an experienced Member.
Members who, in particular situations, describe the advice or services they offer as independent, where the use of the word independent is not regulated by law, must be free and seen to be free of any influence which might limit or affect the scope of their advice or services.
When acting for a principal, Members must:
(1) Ensure that they have taken all reasonable steps to obtain all the information necessary to form a judgment;
(2) Ensure that they have taken into account the best interests of the principal before making any recommendations;
(3) Have behaved in a manner consistent with the obligation to act impartially; and
(4) Have disclosed any constraints that could affect or appear to affect the nature or scope of their advice.
Members must co-operate with the Disciplinary Committee if called upon to do so.
Members are expected to:
(1) Take every opportunity to improve their professional standards and make every effort to complete the annual continuing professional development requirements;
(2) Encourage others to attain their professional qualification;
(3) Conduct themselves with courtesy and consideration towards all persons with whom they come into contact in the course of their professional work;
(4) Encourage an awareness amongst all of those with whom they are involved in the course of their work that Members of the Institute are bound by this Code of Professional Conduct; and
(5) Support and encourage the work of the Institute in developing and maintaining both this Code in particular and the highest professional standards in general.
In the event of a complaint of unprofessional conduct being made to the Institute in respect of any Member, the Institute will take appropriate investigative and, if necessary, disciplinary action against the Member as prescribed in Article 18 (9 – 11) of the Articles of Association (set out in the Appendix). This will mean the complaint being investigated by a Disciplinary Committee to the Council that will also submit a recommendation to the Council who will take necessary disciplinary action.
Any Member who is in doubt as to the attitude which should be adopted or the steps which should be taken in a particular case where professional conduct is in question or any Member who would like the advice of a senior Member of the Institute on professional conduct, should communicate with the:
Registrar/Chief Executive
The Institute of Business Development
3B Adewale Crescent Oshodi
P.O.Box 74591 Victoria Island, Lagos.
Telephone: +234-1-2952112, +23408080795347
E-mail: info@ibd.ng
Website: www.ibd.ng
- Any member who is alleged to have committed a breach of any foregoing rules shall be referred to the Membership and Disciplinary Committee. The Committee shall investigate the alleged breach and submit a recommendation to the Council who will take necessary disciplinary action.
- The Council shall have the power to expel any member who commits a breach of any of these Rules.
- In deciding whether there has been a breach of the Rules, the Membership and Disciplinary Committee may take account (but is not bound so to do) of contemporary codes accepted by bodies with responsibilities and specialties similar to those of the association provided however that any member alleged to have breached the rules of the Institute shall be given opportunity of being heard and shall have the power to engage the services of anybody whether legally qualified or not to present its case and to offer defense in its favour.