What is a conflict of interest?

Whistleblower Hotline Services
Written By Andrew McLeish

A conflict of interest arises when an individual's personal or financial interests potentially influence or bias their ability to make objective and impartial decisions in their professional or official capacity. In other words, it is a situation where an individual has competing interests or loyalties that may interfere with their ability to act in the best interests of their organization or the people they serve.

Conflicts of interest can arise in a wide range of contexts, including business, politics, and the public sector. For example, a business executive who owns shares in a company that is a supplier to their own company may be faced with a conflict of interest when deciding on whether to award a contract to that supplier. Similarly, a government official who has financial ties to a company bidding for a government contract may be in a conflict of interest when evaluating the merits of that bid.

Conflicts of interest can compromise the integrity and credibility of individuals and organizations, leading to mistrust, legal or ethical violations, and reputational damage. It is important for individuals and organizations to identify and manage conflicts of interest to ensure that decisions are made in an objective and impartial manner. This may involve disclosure of potential conflicts, recusal from decision-making, or other measures to ensure transparency and accountability.

Andrew McLeish

Andrew McLeish is the CEO and Managing Director of Stopline Pty Ltd, Australia’s first dedicated whistleblower hotline service, and the Founder of Make a Report Pty Ltd, a secure, cloud-based reporting and case management platform. With more than 25 years of experience in corporate governance, whistleblower reporting, and workplace investigations, Andrew is a nationally recognised authority in integrity services and compliance.

Since Stopline was founded in 2001, Andrew has led the delivery of whistleblower services to over 500 organisations across government, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors, managing thousands of confidential disclosures each year. Drawing on over two decades of insight and client feedback, Andrew designed and built the Make a Report platform to align with key legislative requirements - such as the Corporations Act, Public Interest Disclosure Act, and the Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Whistleblower Protections) Act 2019 - as well as national and international standards including AS 8001:2021 – Fraud and Corruption Control, ISO 37001 – Anti-Bribery Management Systems, and ISO 37002 – Whistleblowing Management Systems.

He is a trusted advisor to boards, executives, and compliance leaders, known for his practical, ethical, and strategic approach to addressing complex matters involving misconduct, fraud, and corporate wrongdoing.

https://www.stopline.com.au
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