ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the ethical dilemmas facing consultants, and considers whether these are unique to that wide-ranging profession. It is by necessity a personal reflection based around more than a decade of working in the world of public-policy consultancy. Many consultancy companies now have a code of ethical behaviour of some form or another. ECORYS is an international consultancy company which operates in around 48 countries, but mainly in the European Union (EU). ECORYS undertakes assignments primarily for public sector clients, from local authorities through to the European Commission, working in a wide range of policy spheres at all points of the policy cycle, from basic research and feasibility studies, through to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. ECORYS has a certain reputation and its code of ethical behaviour is designed to safeguard that reputation. The costs of inaction can be high, particularly if a firm loses its reputation for trustworthiness, honesty and integrity.
