The firm has decided to drop its prescriptive Code of Conduct in favour of the Code of Ethics that sets out key principles it expects its staff and supply chain to adhere to.

The ‘Doing the Right Thing’ Code is underpinned by a Speak Up hotline promising confidentially or anonymous use for whistleblowers.

Balfour chief executive Leo Quinn said that going forward the code and accompanying Supplier Standards would form part of Balfour Beatty contracts and ongoing relationship framework with suppliers.

He said: “The Code of Ethics sets out clearly the principles for conducting our business that should guide us in our everyday decision-making and ensure we act with integrity.

“The Code applies everywhere, every day to everyone who works with and for us.”

Quinn added “It tells others what they can expect of and from us, the standards we set ourselves in being “Trusted” and how we ensure that our decisions and actions are consistent with our values.

“We expect our employees and those who work with us to read it, make sure your teams do the same, and complete the training that supports it.

“We encourage everyone to strive to comply with the spirit of the Code and to know that we will always support you if you do the right thing. Each of us has a personal and collective responsibility to make sure our business is worthy of the trust others place in us.”