Hello Chef, its subsidiaries and its affiliates (collectively, the “Company”) value honesty, integrity, transparency and professionalism in dealings with customers, suppliers, competitors and government officials alike. It is the policy of the Company to compete fairly and engage in business practices that comply with the Anti-Bribery Act, 2010 in the United Kingdom, together with all other anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws and regulations applicable within the United Arab Emirates (“Anti-Corruption Laws”).

This Policy applies to all employees and independent contractors of the Company (“Company employees”). Its purpose is to advise Company employees of their anti-bribery and anti-corruption obligations and to ensure compliance by Company employees with Anti-Corruption Laws. It also guides the identification of potential risks, dealing with challenging situations and reporting when those situations violate or may lead to a violation of this Policy and Anti-Corruption Laws.

In addition, the Company expects its agents, consultants, representatives, lobbyists, suppliers, vendors, contractors, advisors, business partners and any other person that performs services for or on behalf of the Company (each, an “Intermediary”) to comply with the principles contained in this Policy.

The Company has zero tolerance for corrupt activities of any kind. Bribes or other improper or unauthorized payments, or acts that create the appearance of promising, offering, giving or authorizing such payments, are prohibited by this Policy. Company employees are expected to adhere to both the spirit and the letter of this Policy with respect to the Company’s business anywhere in the world.

If Company employees are in or aware of a situation that they believe may violate or lead to a violation of this Policy, they must ask for guidance from their manager or follow the guidelines described under “Whistleblowing” in the Company Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

The following definitions are to serve as a guide for some of the words or phrases that could otherwise be left up to interpretation.

'Corruption' means the misuse of power to influence an outcome or to encourage a form of behavior which may not have occurred otherwise.

'Entertainment' (including, but not limited to, beverages, recreation, lodging, transportation and tickets) is an event with a specific business purpose.

'Facilitation payments', which are sometimes referred to as “grease” or “speed” payments, include any payment to a Public Official in his or her capacity to secure or expedite routine governmental action, for example, to expedite customs clearances; to obtain permits, licenses, or other official documents to qualify a person to do business in a foreign country; or to process routine governmental papers such as visas or work orders; for clarity, facilitation payments do not include the legitimate payment of official fees paid directly to a government or agency or enterprise of the government in accordance with established fee schedules or other official documents.

'Gift' means any item of monetary value.

'Government' includes any federal, provincial, national, state or local government together with any agency, instrumentality or other body thereof including hospitals or other health facilities, research institutions, utilities, public universities or sovereign wealth funds which are owned or operated by a government, and including regulatory agencies or government-controlled or affiliated businesses or corporations.

'Payment' refers to and includes any direct or indirect offers to pay, promises to pay, authorizations of or payments of anything of value including but not limited to, cash or cash equivalents, gifts, services, employment offers, loans, travel expenses, entertainment, political contributions, charitable donations, subsidies, per diem payments, sponsorships, honoraria or provision of any other asset, even if nominal in value.

'Public Official' means a person who holds a legislative, administrative or judicial position in Government; a person who performs public duties or functions for Government; an official or agent of a public international organization; or elected officials, candidates for public office, political parties, and officers, employees, representatives and agents of political parties.

Company employees are prohibited from engaging in corrupt practices, including bribes, in the Company’s business dealings both in the private and government sectors and such conduct will often constitute a violation of one or more Anti-Corruption Laws.

This Policy also prohibits “quid pro quo” payments, meaning that the payment is made with the expectation of receiving in return an improper benefit or advantage.

A violation of this Policy can occur even if the bribe or other corrupt practice fails to achieve the purpose for which it was intended. Under this Policy (and under applicable Anti-Corruption Laws) the fact of an offer or promise of a bribe will typically be sufficient to constitute a violation, and this Policy applies whether or not Company funds are used to finance the improper payment or other benefit.

Company employees are also prohibited from soliciting or accepting any bribe, kickback or other improper payments or benefits from the Company’s vendors or other persons in relation to the Company’s business.

It is the responsibility of Company employees to be aware of how these situations may violate or lead to a violation of this Policy and Anti-Corruption Laws. To decrease the possibility of bribes and corruption, this policy is shared annually with all employees and whenever the policy is updated. Please consult with your manager for further guidance.

Gifts and entertainment are commonly offered as gestures of gratitude or tokens of appreciation. The Company allows these tokens and gestures when they are reasonable, proportional, made in good faith and in compliance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and this Policy.

Examples of gifts and entertainment include the receipt or offer of gifts, meals or items of limited value as well as invitations to events, functions or other social gatherings related to the Company’s business. To be clear, the value of these should not exceed (jointly during a one-year period or separately) AED 350.

In addition to complying with the applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, Company employees must also ensure that the provision of a gift or entertainment or any other benefit does not violate local laws or policies that apply in the country where the recipient is located. Some countries impose express limits on the value of gifts, entertainment or other benefits that a recipient can accept. This Policy prohibits gifts of cash or gift certificates or instruments that are easily convertible into cash in all instances.

Employees must promptly report all received gifts, including those within the acceptable limits, in the gift registry. The centralized gift registry holds the details of each gift received, including the nature of the gift, its value, the giver's identity, and the purpose of the gift.

Company employees should consult with their manager for further guidance on giving or accepting gifts or forms of entertainment or hospitality in most circumstances, but they must consult with their manager prior to providing any gifts or entertainment to any Public Official.

Facilitation payments are prohibited by this Policy and should not be made. Such payments will also typically breach Anti-Corruption Laws. If you are unclear on whether a payment may be a facilitation payment rather than a legitimate official fee, please consult your manager.

Political contributions, including but not limited to table purchases, using Company funds should not be made without authorization. Political contributions, as permitted by law, must be approved in advance by the appropriate stakeholders. Company employees must consult and comply with the Company’s policy on political donations and follow the appropriate processes prior to making any political contribution.

The Company believes in contributing to the communities in which it does business and permits donations to community projects, local and foreign charities and other recipients. Before making a contribution, the Company needs to be certain that donations to foreign-based charities and other recipients are not disguised illegal payments to foreign officials in violation of applicable Anti-Corruption Laws. Company employees must follow the Company’s Guidelines for Charitable Donations before making any charitable donations on behalf of the Company, which include sign-off by the CEO prior to making any commitment to a charity.

In addition to the Company’s other obligations with respect to its financial statements and reporting, Anti-Corruption Laws require complete, thorough and accurate record-keeping. Company employees must record each transaction or payment in the books and records of the Company so that the Company can fulfill these requirements. Any false or misleading statements or entries in the Company’s books and records are violations of not only Anti-Corruption Laws and the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics but are also acts of fraud and will not be tolerated.

Anti-corruption and bribery risk assessments and formal reviews are performed on an annual basis and led by the management. The subsequent and required changes to the policy and practices within are then carried out in an appropriate and timely manner, with any revisions to the policies communicated company-wide.

If any Company employees are approached by a Public Official, client or supplier representative, or any other person and are asked, directly or indirectly, to make a questionable payment or gift, the occurrence should be promptly and fully reported to a manager, who in turn shall report such occurrence to the CEO of the Company. Company employees may also report anonymously using the procedures outlined in the Company’s Whistleblower Policy.

Hello Chef will publicly disclose any financial and in-kind contributions to political parties, politicians, lobby groups, charitable organizations, and advocacy groups.