Realogy Holdings Corp., a global leader in real estate services, announced recently that it has been recognized among the 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies for the second consecutive year, a recognition that highlights companies that outperform industry peers when it comes to ethical behavior. Ethisphere® Institute, a leading international think-tank, announced its selections yesterday at its 2013 honoree dinner that kicked off its Global Ethics Summit at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.
A record number of nominations and applications this year is evidence of both the World’s Most Ethical Companies’ growing recognition by various stakeholder groups and companies’ desire to be recognized for their integrity standards and ethical cultures.
“We are humbled by the recognition we have received by Ethisphere Institute, clearly the gold standard in advancing the social and corporate significance of ethical conduct,” says Richard A. Smith, chairman, chief executive officer and president, Realogy Holdings Corp. “We take our responsibilities with respect to business ethics seriously, and as we continue to advance the cause throughout all aspects of our business, we are also working to include our business partners, vendors, suppliers and our industry in our efforts.”
Realogy’s application for the award covered topics about the Company’s corporate governance, ethics and compliance program, reputation, leadership and innovation, corporate citizenship and responsibility, and internal communication strategies for its ethics and compliance annual plan.
“Our ethics and compliance program is broad, ranging from information protection to business conduct, and we continuously challenge ourselves to enhance our program by looking for new ways to take it from policy and integrate it into business practice,” says Elisabeth Gehringer, Realogy’s compliance and ethics officer. “Every employee is individually charged with the responsibility for ethical behavior, and Realogy strives to set the standard for ethical conduct in its industry. Our program tagline says it all: Ethics: We believe it, we live it, we deliver on it. It’s who we are.”
Kevin Kelleher, president and chief executive officer of Realogy’s global relocation subsidiary, Cartus Corporation, is a panelist at Ethisphere’s Global Ethics Summit this week. In 2012, Kelleher wrote an article for Ethisphere Magazine entitled, “Building Trust Into Your Business,” which was showcased alongside articles from some of the world’s most influential business leaders.
“With more companies applying for the World’s Most Ethical Companies recognition this year than any year in the past, it demonstrates that ethical activity is an important part of these companies’ business models,” said Alex Brigham, executive director of Ethisphere. “We are excited to see Realogy and the other 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies take these leadership positions and embrace the correlation between ethical behavior and improved financial performance.”
Through in-depth research and a multi-step analysis, Ethisphere reviewed nominations from companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. The methodology for the World’s Most Ethical Companies includes reviewing codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories; evaluating the investment in innovation and sustainable business practices; looking at activities designed to improve corporate citizenship; and studying nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.
For more information, visit www.realogy.com and www.ethisphere.com.