Values
Achates brings together a team of highly experienced creative, cultural sector managers and fundraisers to offer an ethical, tailored approach to organisations of all sizes – helping them achieve a long-term, sustainable position and maximise the impact of their work.
As part of our approach we maintain a rigorous series of internal policies and procedures to ensure we meet our aims and objectives of providing a high-quality service to all our clients and that we undertake a review into our clients’ ethical credentials, ensuring their values align with our own.
We are committed to upholding these values in the wider industry and to playing our part in creating a sustainable future for a more equitable cultural sector.
Below are a selection of key policies that we adhere to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
AI Statement:
AI is rapidly transforming how we work and live. Tools, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Claude, are becoming common fixtures in our workplaces and homes, offering major benefits by speeding up tasks and breaking down barriers to information.
At Achates, we see AI as a powerful assistive tool—not a replacement for human expertise, skill, or integrity.
Our approach is guided by a commitment to responsible, ethical, and human-centric support across all our services, ensuring that if, and when used, AI enhances the fundamental products and value we deliver to our clients.
We recognise that many organisations will also be exploring the use of AI tools in their work, including in drafting funding applications and in prospect research. We advise our clients and those working in the wider cultural and heritage sector to use AI with caution. It should solely be used to support and enhance, not replace, and should always be given human oversight to ensure its accuracy and authenticity, ensuring at all times that you are presenting the true voice and unique strengths of your organisation.
In addition, users should be aware of the risks around inaccurate information (hallucinations), algorithmic bias, the data privacy risks and the environmental impact.
Achates adopts the following key principles in its approach to using AI:
- Person-Led Consulting: We may use AI to boost our efficiency, accuracy, and strategic insight but all AI-generated content is critically reviewed and fact-checked by our team to maintain accuracy and align with our client’s unique organisational voice; and all research data is sought through publicly available means with the final, critical decision-making process held by an in-person team.
- Ethical and Responsible Data Handling: We strictly prohibit the input of Achates owned, client or proprietary data into AI platforms to protect confidentiality and intellectual property. We ensure strict compliance with privacy regulations (including GDPR, DPA, DUAA etc.).
- Transparency and Trust: We are transparent with our clients about how and where we use AI.
In short: AI may, on occasion, support our work but our highly experienced creative, cultural sector professionals deliver the ultimate results.