Responsible Lobbying Policy
Purpose and Scope
Studio Dhesi is committed to a transparent, consistent and responsible approach to government affairs and public policy engagement. This policy sets out how we approach advocacy and lobbying, and applies to Manpreet Dhesi, Founder, and to any associate, subcontractor, adviser or other representative who engages with government, regulators, policymakers or public officials on Studio Dhesi’s behalf.
For the purposes of this policy, lobbying means any activity intended to influence public policy, legislation, regulation or government decision-making. For Studio Dhesi, this may mean responding to government or regulator consultations, engaging with elected representatives or officials on issues relevant to the design and strategy sector, and participating in industry or trade bodies that take public policy positions.
Studio Dhesi recognises that lobbying, pursued without appropriate safeguards, can conflict with the public interest and with a company's own sustainability commitments. This policy is published so that, where Studio Dhesi does engage in lobbying, it does so responsibly and consistently with its values.
Our Commitment to Responsible Lobbying
Contributing to a positive impact
Studio Dhesi will only lobby, or engage in public policy advocacy such as signing petitions, where doing so will contribute to a positive impact on society or the environment. Studio Dhesi tests whether a position meets this bar against the outcome-focused sections of the B Lab Standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, or an equivalent recognised framework.
Studio Dhesi will not lobby, directly or through an intermediary, against its own stated purpose of contributing to a positive impact on society or the environment.
An evidence-based approach
Studio Dhesi bases its lobbying and public policy positions on reliable data, scientific data, or both:
Reliable data: evidence-based and replicable, drawing on insights from independent market research.
Scientific data: based on research conducted by scientists and published in a reputable, peer-reviewed journal.
Studio Dhesi will not adopt or promote a public policy position that it cannot support against one or both of these standards.
Political Contributions
Studio Dhesi does not make financial contributions to political parties, candidates or campaigns as a matter of policy. Should this position change, any contribution will require the prior written approval of Manpreet Dhesi and will be publicly disclosed, together with its value and recipient, within Studio Dhesi's next annual reporting cycle.
Any in-kind support (for example, the donation of time, expertise, or company resources to a political party, candidate or campaign) is subject to the same approval and disclosure requirements as a financial contribution.
Anti-Corruption and Bribery
Studio Dhesi has zero tolerance for bribery and corruption in any form. No payment, gift, hospitality or other benefit will be offered, promised or given to a public official, politician or political party with the intention of influencing a decision or securing an improper advantage.
All lobbying activity undertaken by or for Studio Dhesi complies with the UK Bribery Act 2010 and any equivalent anti-corruption legislation in the jurisdictions in which Studio Dhesi operates.
Working with Intermediaries
Where Studio Dhesi engages a third party, such as a public affairs consultant, industry body, trade association or coalition, to lobby on its behalf, or is itself a member of such a body, it will:
share this policy with the intermediary organisation before any engagement begins;
request confirmation that the intermediary organisation's own positions on the relevant issue are, or can be made, consistent with this policy;
review, at least annually, the public positions taken by any trade association or industry body of which Studio Dhesi is a member; and
where an intermediary organisation's lobbying position undermines this policy and the inconsistency cannot be resolved, publicly report Studio Dhesi's position compared with the intermediary organisation's position, and an explanation of how Studio Dhesi is positively influencing the intermediary organisation's position.
Studio Dhesi will end a relationship or membership where an intermediary organisation's position remains materially inconsistent with this policy despite these steps.
Governance
Approval and review
This policy is approved by Manpreet Dhesi, Founder and Director of Studio Dhesi, who holds ultimate governance authority in the absence of a board or other governing body. The policy is reviewed at least annually, or sooner if Studio Dhesi's lobbying activity changes materially.
Accountability
Manpreet Dhesi is directly accountable for enforcing this policy and for the conduct of any lobbying activity carried out on Studio Dhesi's behalf.
Embedding the Policy
This policy is put into practice through:
reference to this policy in contracts and briefings for any associate, subcontractor or adviser engaged in work that touches on public policy or government engagement;
inclusion of this policy in the induction materials provided to any new associate or subcontractor; and
publication of this policy on Studio Dhesi's website, so that clients, partners and the public can hold Studio Dhesi to account against it.
Risk Management and Monitoring
Manpreet Dhesi identifies and manages the risk of non-compliance with this policy by:
reviewing, before undertaking any lobbying activity, whether the intended position is consistent with this policy and with Studio Dhesi's published sustainability commitments;
maintaining a record of lobbying activity undertaken, including the issue, the audience and the position taken; and
seeking independent advice where a proposed position raises a genuine question about consistency with this policy.
Studio Dhesi evaluates its compliance with this governance and control framework through an annual self-review, conducted alongside the policy review described in Section 6.1, and discloses the outcome of that review publicly where lobbying activity has taken place during the period.
Raising Concerns
Anyone, including clients, partners, suppliers or members of the public, who has a concern about Studio Dhesi's lobbying practices or wider business conduct can raise it directly with Manpreet Dhesi at hello (@) studiodhesi.co.uk, or through Studio Dhesi's Grievance Procedure. All concerns are treated seriously and investigated promptly.
Last updated September 2026