Governance and Risk

Accountability in Practice

Good governance reflects how we at Bentley apply our values to everyday decisions, from managing risk to safeguarding the rights of those we work with and serve. Here, we set out the principles guiding our conduct, and the standards to which we hold ourselves accountable.

Overview

It is crucial for trust in our company, our products, services, and innovations that we conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity at all times. In all areas of work and functions, we therefore always make decisions in accordance with our corporate values, applicable national and international laws, regulations and internal voluntary commitments.

We understand integrity and compliance not as an end in themselves, but as a prerequisite for sustainable success. They form the core of correct and value-based behaviour at Bentley. That is why they are an integral part of our strategy.

Our Code of Conduct

A company can only be truly successful if it acts with integrity, and complies with valid national and international laws, regulations, and internal voluntary commitments. As such, our Code of Conduct is the ethical and values-based foundation for acting with integrity and in compliance with our rules. Based on the Volkswagen Group Essentials, it serves as a binding guideline for all employees.

Violations of laws, rules, and regulations have consequences, and we expect our employees to adhere to our values and codes — not just because it is good business and protects the company, but because it is the right thing to do. We provide regular Code of Conduct training to all employees.

We also expect our business partners to maintain these high standards by complying with the Volkswagen Code of Conduct for Business Partners, which generally forms an integral part of the contracts we sign with them.

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read our code of conduct for business partners

Volkswagen Group Essentials

Risk Management and Internal Control System

Taking risks is part of the activity of any business. Even so, it is important to deal responsibly with those risks. We are convinced that only those who identify opportunities and risks at an early stage and actively deal with them will achieve sustainable success.

Our risk management system focuses on corporate and functional goals. We manage risks in our business processes with the internal control system. Both systems are based on the internationally recognised COSO framework. In this way we aim to cover all areas of risk as comprehensively as possible.

To this end we operate a risk quarterly process which focuses on acute risks. We keep an eye on process-related risks with the annual standard ICS control process. The business continuity management system provides the framework for continuing critical business processes in the event of disruptions

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Prevention of Economic Crime

We have a clear, zero-tolerance policy regarding economic crime such as corruption, fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. This is anchored in our Code of Conduct. We take our responsibility to protect the company and our employees from the risks of economic crime very seriously. We actively prevent economic crime with additional binding guidelines that apply company-wide. A fundamental part of our Compliance Management System is the continuous communication and training measures for corruption, money laundering and fraud prevention.

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Code of Conduct for Business Partners communicates our expectations when it comes to integrity and law-abiding behaviour of our business partners. We offer code of conduct and anti-corruption training to them too, because ending economic crime is a task best accomplished together.

When it comes to choosing business partners, we undertake a risk-based due diligence process to assess their integrity. Companies that do not meet the standards through this transparent review process are not considered as business partners of Bentley.

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Anti-Corruption

At Bentley, we have a clear zero-tolerance policy regarding active and passive corruption, anchored in our Code of Conduct. We actively prevent corruption, white-collar crime, and other legal violations with additional binding guidelines that apply company-wide, and extend our regular Code of Conduct training to cover corruption prevention specifically. That includes teaching employees how to identify and appropriately deal with corruption risks.

Meanwhile, our Code of Conduct for Business Partners communicates our expectations when it comes to integrity and law-abiding behaviour. We offer compliance and anti-corruption training to business partners too, because ending corruption is a task best accomplished together.

When it comes to choosing business partners, we undertake a risk-based due diligence process to assess the integrity of our associates. We support our partners in meeting the required standards, but we also reserve the right to cease associating with companies that do not meet our standards.

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Tax Strategy

We approach tax with the same principles of integrity and transparency that guide our business. We pay the right amount, in the right jurisdictions, and at the right time. You can download our latest tax strategy below

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Cyber Security

Preserving the safety, security and quality of our products is a key priority for us, and we take indications from security experts seriously. If you find a potential vulnerability in one of our products, please email your findings, in English, with enough detail for us to reproduce the issue. Any independent testing is carried out at your own risk and must comply with all relevant laws: only test vehicles you own or have explicit permission to test, never access data without consent, and never test on public roads.

We typically respond within 2-3 business days. Because vehicles are subject to safety and legal regulations, resolving vulnerabilities can take time. We appreciate your patience.

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Whistleblower System

Bentley's Whistleblower System allows employees, customers and third parties to report potential misconduct by Bentley employees or business partners at any time, through channels that allow for anonymous reporting, with strict protections against retaliation and a presumption of innocence for anyone implicated until wrongdoing is proven.

Reports can be made 24/7 through several channels: by email, post, phone, in person, via an independent Ombudsperson, or through the confidential online platform and app, available in more than 65 languages. Anonymous reporting is available throughout. The Investigation Office can be reached by email at whistleblower-office@audi.de. Using these channels does not affect your statutory right to directly contact designated authorities.

Click below to access the comprehensive guide to Bentley's Whistleblower System. It covers how reports are investigated and processed, detailed instructions for every reporting channel, guidance on what to include, and where to direct further questions.

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Pay Gap Report

We are committed to being an inclusive and responsible employer. Our pay gap figures show continued progress, with our mean gender pay gap having more than halved since 2017, and our mean bonus gender gap having also significantly fallen.

We have also voluntarily introduced Ethnicity Pay Gap reporting ahead of legislative requirements, demonstrating our commitment to transparency and accountability. By publishing and monitoring our data, we are better able to: understand representation and pay outcomes across the organisation; identify areas for improvement; and drive meaningful action to support greater equity and inclusion.

We hold ourselves accountable for taking meaningful action and effecting sustainable change. Our effort to close these gaps is not just driven by what is fair. It is also done with the aim of unlocking the full potential of our people and building a culture where everyone feels that they can belong and thrive.

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Human Rights

Respect for human rights is fundamental to how we do business because sustainable economic activity is only possible when acting ethically and with integrity.

The Volkswagen Group sets this out in its joint Declaration on Social Rights, Industrial Relations, and Business and Human Rights (the Social Charter), which reflects commitments from several international conventions and is available below. We're committed to the International Bill of Human Rights and the ILO's core labour standards among other conventions, and our activities follow the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Under Germany's Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG), Bentley, as part of the Volkswagen Group, must meet a range of due diligence obligations covering human rights and environmental risk — including risk analysis, preventive measures, remedial action where violations are found, and a whistleblower system, with the effectiveness of all measures checked and documented continuously.

Additionally, business partners are required to abide by our sustainability requirements in the Volkswagen Code of Conduct for Business Partners.

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Modern Slavery Statement

In accordance with Section 54 of the United Kingdom’s 2015 Modern Slavery Act, Bentley Motors has prepared the following statement relating to the financial year ending 31st December 2025 outlining some of the actions we have undertaken as part of our commitment to tackling Modern Slavery in all aspects of our business. You can view our most recent Modern Slavery Statement below.

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Continental GTC (Speed) WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption, mpg (l/100km) – Combined 26.6 (10.6). Combined electrical consumption – 19.9 kWh/100km. Combined CO₂ Emissions – 98 g/km.