Corporate social responsibility policy

Some think that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is only appropriate for large multinational companies. But for Ave, it’s different. Our purpose is to work solely with cause-driven organisations, and this commitment to prioritising people and the planet over profit extends to all aspects of the ways we behave to our people, our clients and our business environment.  

At Ave, we are committed to operating as a responsible corporate. As a certified B Corporation, we recognise the importance of integrating social and environmental considerations into our decision-making processes. Our corporate social responsibility policy outlines our commitments to various stakeholders, including our employees, clients, communities, and the environment.

1. Investing in staff development:

We allocate £1,500 per annum, per employee, towards staff development initiatives, ensuring continuous learning and growth opportunities for our team members.

2. Volunteering with charities:

We dedicate 5% of our annual profit to providing studio time for staff to engage in volunteering activities with charitable organisations, fostering a culture of giving back to the community.

3. Supporting charities and not-for-profits:

We offer subsidised rates for our services to smaller charities and not-for-profit organisations, enabling them to access our expertise and support their important missions.

4. Facilitating charitable donations:

We facilitate pre-tax charity donations from staff PAYE, empowering our employees to contribute to charitable causes of their choice and maximise the impact of their donations.

5. Environmental stewardship:

We are committed to offsetting our carbon footprint by planting trees each month, striving towards achieving climate-positive status and mitigating our environmental impact.

6. Slow travel days:

When staff choose to travel by train instead of airplane, they are granted two additional holiday days to absorb the additional time, up to a total of four days per year.

7. Responsible supply chain management:

We monitor our supply chain to ensure alignment with our values, including the use of renewable energy, waste reduction, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) principles.

8. Fair employment practices:

We uphold fair employment practices by paying the London Living Wage, being certified Disability Confident employers, and pledging to be an Age-Friendly Employer with the Centre for Ageing Better.

9. Employee financial support:

We offer interest-free loans and advanced purchase options for travel cards/tickets, supporting our employees’ financial well-being and facilitating affordable commuting.

10. Promoting sustainable practices:

We actively promote sustainable commuting options and limit in-person meetings to reduce our carbon footprint, demonstrating our commitment to environmental sustainability.

11. Accessibility in design:

Our design portfolio adheres to accessibility standards outlined by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all users.

12. Supporting young talent:

We offer paid internships to students and young individuals, providing them with valuable work experience and fair remuneration aligned with industry standards.

Management operates an ‘open door’ policy and actively encourages the voicing of concerns or positive suggestions by staff, clients and suppliers alike. We value and seek to further strengthen the good relationships, reputation and trust we have with our staff, our clients and our suppliers, carrying out 6 monthly surveys with all stakeholders. 

At Ave, corporate social responsibility is not just a commitment; it is an integral part of our identity and operations. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on society and the environment, and we continuously strive to uphold these principles in all aspects of our business.