At Principia, we work with clients across business, government, civil society, and the military to build and strengthen ethical organizations.
Principia acts as an independent advisor to senior management teams, boards, and supervisory ethics committees. With proven methodologies and rigorous independence, we are trusted for the quality of our analysis and the robustness of our recommendations.
Organizations and sectors we work with
We work with the board and C-Suite of our clients to provide rigorous data-led insight, clear strategic direction, and support in implementation.
Our core areas of expertise are in banking and finance, professional services, and technology: we have recently worked with two of the big four US banking groups; two of the top-tier global professional services firms; and two of Silicon Valley’s leading players to develop and implement strategies to embed ethical culture.
Principia supports organizations in working through their most significant ethical and cultural challenges. We help our clients to act responsibly, in line with their purpose, principles and values, in order to make a positive impact on society. We focus on the key strategic challenges on C-suite agendas around ethics, trust and responsibility, and everything that’s required to enhance performance on these issues day-to-day.
In order to build the capacity and capability of the organizations we work with, we help our clients to understand the drivers of ethical conduct, identify the root causes of failure, and take action to improve outcomes. We create long-lasting value through enhancing the ability of our clients to make ethical decisions and to foster an ethical organizational culture.
Example projects
‘Big Four’ professional services firm
For the Board and CEO of a ‘Big Four’ professional services firm that had experienced a major ethical failure, we conducted an Independent Ethical Culture Assessment. Reporting directly to the Board and CEO, Principia conducted a six-month assessment of ethical culture, drawing on contributions from more than 500 people in face-to-face interviews and focus groups, as well as quantitative survey data from 15,000 employees across the firm. This robust evidence base provided the foundation for a three-year transformation program based on a shared vision for common culture, based on clearly-articulated purpose and values, with highly-targeted and prioritised interventions leading to quicker, more effective action.
Top-tier US-based bank
For the CEO and CHRO of a top-tier US-based bank, we conducted an in-depth ethical culture assessment to lay the foundations for long-term strategy underpinned by a renewed commitment to growth through ethics and trust. Reporting directly to the CEO and CHRO, Principia conducted a six-month Independent Ethical Culture Assessment. Through a quantitative survey, supported by in-depth interviews and focus groups, we generated a robust, evidence-based view of cultural strengths and vulnerabilities, and developed a detailed roadmap to transform culture in order to support the bank’s strategic growth ambitions.
Global retail and investment bank
For the board and CEO of a global retail and investment bank with operations in 100+ countries, a Principia-led engagement laid the foundations for a transformation program focused on ethical purpose. A mass participation exercise across the global firm asked its people to define and articulate the core purpose of the bank, providing a clearly-articulated foundation for leaders’ efforts to embed greater responsibility and more effective decision making. On the basis of renewed ethical purpose, a major program of strategic transformation was rolled out across the bank’s 300,000 employees, improving conduct, retention and client satisfaction.
Leading global NGO
For the CEO and Chief Counsel of a leading global NGO with more than $2bn in global programming, we deployed Principia’s Ethical Culture Index survey to support its efforts to drive greater consistency across its operations in more than 100 countries worldwide. Principia’s Ethical Culture Index, supported by a comprehensive review of structures, processes and systems, enabled greater understanding of current-state culture across the global organization, and new insight into critical challenges. The assessment laid the foundations for a targeted program focused on enabling the organization and its people to consistently act in line with its values, principles and purpose.