Credentials, Pledges & Memberships

The Better Business Act advocates to change UK law to ensure every company in the UK aligns their interests with those of wider society and the environment.

Together, we will ask the government to make this small change in the law, which will make a big change in the world, helping to create a fairer, greener future for everybody.

B Corp is a global movement that champions social good. An inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system for people and the planet. It champions business as a force for good, as do we.

We’ve grown our forward-thinking, ethical, business operation that has people, environment and sustainability at its core.

Certificate No: FS 598779

This powerful business improvement tool is embedding into everything that we do at UMi.

Adopted at all levels, the ISO 9001 principles of quality management match perfectly our progressive approach to customer service and programme delivery.

Certificate No: EMS 598780

Everyone at UMi is committed to do business responsibly and be an example for our partners and suppliers. We have set ourselves an initial four key areas to focus on:

• Reducing our impact on the environment
• Growing and nurturing our people
• Caring about and supporting local communities
• Sourcing with integrity

Backed by the National Cyber Security Centre, our independently reviewed accreditation is a great recognition of the immense work undertaken at UMi. From connectivity to software solutions, our IT infrastructure is under constant review for your security and ours.

Reflecting our genuine desire to provide a workplace where talented people thrive, this pledge reflects our culture across all our offices across the United Kingdom. From paying the real living wage to investing in training and development, offering apprenticeship opportunities and giving back to the community, we truly believe that businesses can create a better world.

UMi is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation.

We also look for a culture of diversity and inclusion within in our subcontactors and supply chains.

As an employee-owned business, our path to going further starts from within. We are committed to promoting a healthy workplace, supported by a team of Health Advocates that champion inclusive health campaigns and promote healthy lifestyles for all our team. Those efforts have been recognised by achievement of the Better Health at Work Gold Award.

UMi is one of the UK’s top 100 best mid-sized companies to work for, achieving its highest ever placing of 33rd at Best Companies Live 2021.

UMi is currently ranked as the 8th best consultancy business to work for in the UK and ranked as the 12th best business in the North East to work for.

UMi is considered a ‘World Class’ organisation to work for, having achieved the maximum three-star accreditation from Best Companies.

This accreditation is reserved only for UK businesses demonstrating the highest standards of workplace engagement.

In a 2021 leadership survey, 94% of UMi staff agreed that the business is run on strong values and principles.

UMi’s commitment to being a responsible business with a healthy, motivated team has been recognised by North East Combined Authority through the award of their Advanced Good Work Pledge.

This further evidences our commitment to promoting health and wellbeing, developing a balanced workforce, valuing and rewarding our workforce, using effective communication and representation, and demonstrating a social responsibility.

UMi is an accredited Living Wage Employer, committed to paying a wage based on the cost of living to all our team.

UMi have been presented the Payroll Giving Bronze Award 2022, in celebration of the decision to foster a culture of philanthropy and committed giving in the workplace, by making Payroll Giving available to employees.

The Bronze Award is a symbol of excellence and is awarded to employers that have succeeded in generating sustainable income sources for UK charities through Payroll Giving.

UMi is proud to be a signatory to the Prompt Payment Code, a voluntary code of practice for businesses, administered by the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, which reflects our commitment to demonstrating openness, honesty and integrity within financial terms and supporting our suppliers by paying invoices within 30 days.

Invoices and any enquiries should be emailed to finance@weareumi.co.uk or posted to: Finance Team, UMi, Navigators Point, Belmont Business Park, Durham, DH1 1TW.

We encourage all suppliers to adopt the Code.

UMi is committed to acting in an ethical manner, with integrity and transparency in all our business dealings and treating our people, partners and suppliers fairly.

In turn, we expect those working with us or on our behalf to support and uphold the principles within our Modern Slavery Statement which are designed to safeguard against modern slavery and human trafficking, in accordance with legislation outlined in the Modern Slavery Act (2015).

We recognise the contribution that Service personnel, reservists, veterans, the cadet movement and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country. As an equal opportunities employer that does not positively discriminate, we will seek to support the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.

As the country’s leading representative of business support for micro, small and start-up businesses, the National Enterprise Network (NEN) is an established community of dedicated enterprise support providers delivering impact on the ground at a community level across the whole of the UK.

North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) are the North East’s largest and most influential business membership network. They support, connect and represent more than 2,000 organisations employing 40% of the region’s workforce. They ensure their members are at the heart of building a thriving economy and making our region the best place to live and work.

As experts in business, The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) offer our members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice heard in government. Our mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.

Durham Business Club is a membership-based networking organisation that runs events throughout County Durham and the wider North East of England. They hold two informal networking events each month – one evening, and one breakfast – at an ever-changing programme of venues throughout the region.

Engineering and Manufacturing Network is dedicated to building and strengthening the engineering and manufacturing community in North East England. They help businesses and people to solve problems, gain knowledge, forge relationships and discover new opportunities, to support their success …. and create a better future for the region.

Tees Valley Business Club exist to support and connect business people across the Tees Valley. They are a vibrant, modern business club that helps their members grow and foster opportunities. They provide the chance to meet like-minded people at the club’s events where they also cover important topics affecting the area, reflect what’s happening across the business landscape and share information that is of interest.

The Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs was founded in 2010 creating the first dedicated professional learning institute specialising in business enterprise and business support, a standing still enjoyed to this day within the UK.

The Yorkshire Mafia is The North of England’s biggest and best B2B membership group. Bringing together 15000 business professionals face-to- face each year. As featured in The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian, BBC1, The Yorkshire Post and The Sunday Telegraph. Founded in November 2008, they have built up a powerful network.

The Yorkshire Asian Business Association are here to provide a voice for business on a regional, national and international level. Pulling out all the stops for your business, they will support you no matter what your size or your sector. The YABA works under the framework of the National Asian Business Association (NABA) to develop a cohesive, comprehensive strategy to be the voice of Asian Businesses.

Scotland House was inaugurated by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in 2017 to facilitate increased trade, investment and collaboration opportunities for its members in London and beyond. It’s a joint initiative of the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and VisitScotland to provide a base for Scottish organisations looking to expand their horizons.

The Executive Group from Durham Business Group brings together North East senior directors and decision-makers in a relaxed, non-sales environment, inviting members to six lunches each year in a range of beautiful and interesting North East venues.