About Equans Specialist Contracting UK Limited

Equans Specialist  Contracting UK Limited (“ESC”) is a part of the Equans group of companies under the ownership and control of Equans S.A.S. Equans S.A.S is part of the Bouygues group of companies under the ownership and control of Bouygues S.A.  

ESC defines, designs and deliversacross all aspects of its clients’ mission-critical environments. ESC provides a complete, integrated solution to bring clients’ vital strategic facilities to life. Starting with setting business goals and outcomes, ESC works across every aspect—from design and build, to assurance, validation, handover and ongoing lifecycle optimisation. ESC does this as a complete and assured partner, bringing certainty of delivery to every step, with precise, cohesive focus in every area at each stage, and the agility to integrate everything at every point.

ESC’s Tax Strategy 

ESC’s tax strategy is set out below. It is consistent with the tax strategy of fellow Equans and Bouygues entities in the UK. 

A UK sub-group of a foreign group is required under Paragraph 19 of Schedule 19 Finance Act 2016 to publish its tax strategy and this tax strategy is published in respect of the accounting period ended 31 December 2024. 

The following areas are covered by the ESC tax strategy: 

• The approach to risk management and governance arrangements in relation to UK taxation

• The attitude towards tax planning (so far as affecting UK taxation) 

• The level of risk acceptance in relation to UK taxation 

• The approach towards dealings with HMRC 

The approach to risk management and governance arrangements in relation to UK taxation 

Equans employs tax professionals in the UK who work as part of the wider global tax function and who adhere to the UK tax strategy. There is a framework of controls and processes to ensure compliance with tax filing obligations, mandatory disclosures, and to manage tax risks. Documented tax policies and procedures are maintained in relation to key tax processes in the UK and these are periodically reviewed and are subject to internal oversight. 

Tax advice may be sought from external advisors in respect of material transactions when the tax function does not have the expertise required in a particular area. Where applicable, clearances are sought from HMRC to agree the treatment and to provide certainty over the position of complex transactions. 

The attitude towards tax planning (so far as affecting UK taxation) 

Our business is built upon a culture of robustness and performance, which is underpinned by an individual and collective commitment to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times. Ethics are ingrained in the Fundamentals of our company and form a pillar which underpins all of our activities. 

The Equans Code of Ethics aims to bring together employees around the core shared values that must prevail when doing business, no matter what the circumstances or country. This Code of Ethics thus reflects Equans’ values on matters of respect, integrity and responsibility. 

Equans has also published an Anti-Corruption Code of Conduct, which is a practical guide which sets out the behaviour to adopt in all situations that might breach the ethical rules and, therefore, our core shared values. Further guidance can be found by contacting ethicsandcompliance.uk@equans.com or calling 0333 700 7020. 

Equans is committed to acting with honesty and integrity in respect of tax laws and regulations, and to paying its fair share of taxes in the countries in which it operates. Consequently, UK subsidiaries do not undertake aggressive or artificial tax planning with respect to UK taxation and comply with both the letter and the spirit of the law. 

Transactions with related parties outside the UK are driven by commercial considerations and are executed on arm’s length terms in line with international best practice (OECD Guidelines). 

The level of risk acceptance in relation to UK taxation 

Internal governance of tax risk is integrated within our business risk management and compliance framework. This approach ensures that tax risk is appropriately and effectively managed. 

The approach towards dealings with HMRC 

We are committed to an open, transparent and professional relationship with HMRC based on mutual trust and collaborative working. 

Where appropriate, we seek advance clearance from HMRC on the proposed tax treatment of transactions. Where particularly complex or material transactions have been entered into, ESC engages in dialogue with HMRC to provide explanations on particular matters to aid HMRC’s understanding. 

Bouygues S.A.’s relationship with the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance 

In France, Bouygues has signed up to the Partenariat fiscal (Tax Partnership) with the Ministry of the Economy and Finance in order to consolidate co-ordination with the Tax Authorities and safeguard against the risks and strategic tax challenges facing the companies in the Bouygues SA group. 

The publication of this strategy is considered by ESC to meet its obligations under Paragraph 19 Schedule 19 Finance Act 2016.