This procedure applies to all employees, former employees, contractors, subcontractors or agents of Filtronic plc and its subsidiaries (‘Workers’).

The purpose of this procedure is to provide a framework to promote responsible whistle blowing. Whistle blowing is the reporting by workers of any malpractice or illegal act or omission by other workers.

Filtronic has established by this procedure a channel for communication of concerns that is independent, so far as is practicable, from the management of the Company.

Relationship of this Procedure to the Company’s other Policies and Procedures

Filtronic’s policies and procedures on grievance, discipline, harassment, etc. should be used in most situations. The use of this procedure should be restricted to where you reasonably believe one of the following has occurred, is occurring, or is likely to occur:-

• A criminal offence, including fraud, bribery or corruption;
• Disregard for legislation, particularly in relation to health and safety at work;
• Malpractice, or ill treatment of a customer by a senior member of staff;
• Damage to the environment;
• Any other serious irregularity; or
• Deliberate concealment of any of the above.

Whistle blowing should not be used in place of Filtronic’s grievance procedures or be a route for raising malicious or unfounded allegations. Only those who use this policy in good faith will be protected under it (see below).

The Procedure

The Designated Officers

The following persons are the Designated Officers under this procedure.  They have direct access to the Chairman of Filtronic plc.

Reg Gott - Non-executive DirectorPostal address: R GottWoodland House
77a Main RoadKempseyWorcesterWR5 3NBEmail: reg.got@btinternet.com 

Graham Meek - Senior Non-executive DirectorPostal address: E. G. MeekPO    Box 49982LondonSE5 5BWEmail: graham.meek@filtronic.com

Raising a Concern – The Line Manager Route

You should normally raise concerns about wrongdoing and malpractice with your immediate manager first, who will notify the matter to one of the Designated Officers. 

Raising a Concern – The Designated Officer Route

If the matter is of a very serious nature, such as an allegation of fraud involving a Filtronic plc director, or if it involves your immediate manager, you may notify one of the Designated Officers direct. You must include the words ‘Whistle Blowing’ in the subject heading of the email or letter you send.

The Investigative Stages

The Designated Officer will, if requested, arrange an initial interview. At this stage, you will be asked whether you wish your identity to be disclosed. (You may not make anonymous complaints to the Designated Officer but your identity may remain confidential to the Designated Officer, as far as reasonably practicable). You will also be asked whether or not you wish to make a written or oral statement. In either case, the Designated Officer will write a brief summary of the interview, which will be agreed by both parties.

The Designated Officer will report to both the Chairman of Filtronic plc and the other Designated Officers, and the Designated Officers and the Chairman will together decide on what further investigation, if any, should take place. They will report back to you within 10 working days of your interview or receipt of your complaint, whichever is the later.

Where, exceptionally, the complaint is about the Chairman of Filtronic plc, the Designated Officers will decide on how to proceed. This may include an external investigation. Again, you will be informed of progress within 10 working days.

The Investigation

It may be necessary that certain investigations will be carried out in strict confidence (with the employee under investigation not being informed until necessary). In certain other circumstances, the employee may have to be suspended pending the investigation.

If the investigation shows there is a case to answer, the Company’s Disciplinary Procedure will be invoked against the employee concerned.

If there is found to be no case to answer, the Designated Officer will ensure that you are protected, provided the disclosure was made in good faith. Only where you are found to have made false allegations maliciously will the Disciplinary Procedure be invoked against you.

Inquiries
If the concern raised is very serious or complex, an inquiry may be held.

Following the Investigation
The Designated Officer, possibly in conjunction with the Chairman, will arrange a meeting with you to give feedback on the investigation. (This will not include details of any disciplinary action, which will remain confidential to the individual concerned). The feedback will be provided within 10 working days of the conclusion of the investigation and any inquiry.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, Filtronic recognises your right to make disclosures to prescribed regulators, or, where justified, elsewhere.

The Law

This procedure has been written to take account of the UK’s Public Interest Disclosure Act 1988 that protects workers making good faith disclosures about certain matters of concern.

Protection of Whistleblowers

Filtronic will not tolerate any harassment, victimisation or discrimination of a good faith whistleblower and will treat this as a serious disciplinary offence.  The whistleblower’s rights against retaliation under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1988 are fully recognised by Filtronic.

Each Business Unit shall incorporate this Procedure into its Staff Handbook

Hemant Mardia
Chief Executive Officer
Filtronic plc
May 2011