CognoLink maintains a rigorous, award-winning compliance framework applicable to Clients, Specialists and employees. The framework exists to eliminate the risks associated with maintaining a large network of Specialists and fulfilling short turnaround requirements for Clients. Our core compliance principles are outlined below:
Confidentiality
- Clients, Specialists and employees all agree to confidentiality terms with CognoLink
- All of CognoLink’s researchers and Specialists are specifically trained on confidentiality and other important compliance obligations
- The identity of CognoLink’s Clients and Specialists proposed for consultation opportunities are never revealed without the mutual consent of the parties involved
- CognoLink informs Specialists not to disclose confidential information during their introductory call and throughout all communications thereafter
Our Policies
- Because certain companies restrict their employees from participating in outside consulting engagements, CognoLink maintains a Do Not Contact database of companies. To update us on your company’s external consulting policy, please contact us on legal@cognolink.com
- CognoLink keeps detailed records of its compliance processes and is able to provide its Clients with routine compliance reports on consultations that have taken place
- CognoLink believes in providing both its Clients and its Specialists with as much information related to a project request (client name, specialist name, discussion topic & scope, timeline, etc) as possible before a consultation takes place
Specialist Obligations
- All Specialists must agree to CognoLink’s Terms and Conditions upon registering with CognoLink and prior to participating in consultations
- At regular intervals, and before conducting their first consultation, Specialists are required to complete a mandatory compliance tutorial
- During consultations, Specialists should focus on market or industry-related issues and should not under any circumstances give investment, medical or legal advice; and should not discuss information about their employer company
- Specialist participation in the network should always be compatible with other contractual or moral commitments. In particular, the Terms and Conditions require Specialists to respect their obligations towards third parties and obtain all necessary approvals prior to taking part in a consultation (including that of their employer)
- Specialists should not take part in consultations that result in or are likely to result in a conflict of interest, breach of law or regulation or a breach of a duty of confidentiality
- Specialists should not disclose any confidential information or any material non-public information concerning a quoted company, instrument or trade secret
CognoLink Clients
- All Clients are required to agree to standard legal terms outlined by CognoLink
- CognoLink asks its Clients to not solicit confidential or material non-public information
- In addition to its standard processes, CognoLink has a number of customisable options to satisfy unique client requirements. Examples include excluding certain categories of Specialists from consulting or including client-specific disclaimers in communications with Specialists
If you have additional questions or concerns about our compliance framework, feel free to contact us by phone at +44 207 268 6600 or by e-mail legal@cognolink.com.
