About Us
Agulhas
[uh-guhl-uhs]
Noun
from the Cabo das Agulhas [ˈkaβu ðɐz ɐˈɣuʎɐʃ], “Cape of the Needles”; It gives its name to the Agulhas Current, a key driver of the global climate.
Our History
From our beginnings in 2003, Agulhas Applied Knowledge has become a leading provider of evaluation, learning, and knowledge to improve strategy. From our canal side headquarters in central London, we work across the world in support of international cooperation on global challenges. Agulhas is an Employee-Owned company. We are owned and run by those who know Agulhas and our values best – our people. Our team is diverse and close-knit, all driven by common values that seek to build a better, more sustainable future. Our success is based on our agility, our focus on what matters and our simple commitment to excellence.
In 2023, we became a Certified B Corporation; part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact.
Click through our history below to see how we’ve evolved
Big Issues
2023
Transition from fossil fuels agreed at COP28
2023
Start of Israel-Hamas war
2023
WHO declares end of COVID-19 pandemic
Big Issues
2022
COP27 in Egypt
2022
World population reaches 8 billion
2022
Russian invasion of Ukraine impacts oil and gas supply and prices globally
Big Issues
Covid-19 global pandemic
COP26 in Glasgow
Big Issues
2020
FCO and DFID merged into FCDO
2020
Covid-19 global pandemic
2019
XR campaign on climate crisis
Net Zero target enshrined in UK law
Big Issues
2016
Grand Bargain announced at World Humanitarian Summit
Political focus on migration crisis
2015
Sustainable Development Goals agreed
UK 0.7% GNI ODA target Act
2014
Doing Development Differently Manifesto
Big Issues
2011
Syrian refugee crisis begins
Big Issues
2008
UK Climate Change Act
2006
Stern Review on Economics of Climate Change makes the economic case for action
2005
Paris Aid Effectiveness Agenda resets global approach to aid
Our Principles
Commitment
We will continue to work to harness knowledge and learning for sustainable development.
Effectiveness
We will strive to deliver the best quality work we can in the areas where we can use our skills to make the greatest impact. We will continually look for ways to do better: individually; together; and with clients, contractors and communities.
Openness
We will share ideas and good practice. We will raise concerns quickly and deal with them fairly.
Integrity
We will conduct ourselves in a way of which we can be proud. We will be honest with each other, our clients and ourselves. We will provide challenge where it is needed and praise where it is due.
Respect
We will treat each other and our clients, communities and supply chain with respect. We will take the time to listen to others, look for the best in people and strive to empower others to be their best.
Equity
We will be mindful of power imbalances in everything we do. Our approach will continuously evolve, recognising our collective responsibility to unlearn biases and re-learn what it means to be equitable, inclusive and just.
Agulhas' approach to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion
Agulhas is an ethnically diverse and predominantly female team. As an Employee-Owned company, our people are meaningfully involved in all our principles and activities. We strive to be equitable and mindful of power imbalances in everything we do. Our approach is constantly evolving, as we seek to unlearn biases and re-learn what it means to be inclusive, equitable and just.
At Agulhas we have been challenging ourselves to do this work, unlearning and learning as we go:
Agulhas been working internally to tackle the unconscious biases that exist within our own organisation and partner relationships through a process of reflection and collective learning. A regular programme of ‘unlearning’ exercises enables Agulhas to reflect on its practices and evolve policies to ensure we are operating in diverse, inclusive, and equitable ways.
Agulhas is a certified B Corporation, which has already initiated improvements to the way Agulhas operates and engages with staff, partners, the environment, and the community.
Agulhas supports The Equity Index, a social enterprise advocating for greater equity across the international development sector, participating in its pilot Index and providing pro bono advisory and research assistance.
Agulhas provides pro bono support to the Essex Climate Action Commission, working to make the county Net Zero by 2050 with a £200m climate action plan, including participating in/leading a green and just transition working group.
Agulhas supports charities local to its UK office, helping them support some of the most marginalised populations of East London with the least access to essential services, ranging from financial support to pro bono technical support and volunteering.
What We Do
At Agulhas, we bring a unique perspective to our work. We offer a deep understanding of ideas and evidence and are able to distil the key elements needed to guide practical action. We are value driven, working for a more sustainable world. We have extensive experience working on policy and strategy to inspire positive change.
At the core of what we do is an understanding of how knowledge is transmitted into practice. We present our analysis and advice in ways that are meaningful to policy makers and decision makers. We focus on the elements that matter most to our clients. We know that to be influential, knowledge must be supported by processes that facilitate learning and application, and lead to change. All of our work sits on a foundation of honesty, rigour and commitment to building a sustainable and safe world.
Responsible Business
Agulhas takes its responsibilities seriously. We are accredited members of the Living Wage Foundation and signatories to the Prompt Payment Code. Agulhas walk the talk on sustainability, using clean energy and recycled products as standard.
Agulhas strives to uphold the highest standards in our work and our organisation. Through a number of commitments, including B Corp Certification and the UN Global Compact, we work to ensure that our principles of commitment, integrity, equity, respect, effectiveness and openness are embedded in everything we do.
Where we work
With headquarters in canal side East London, Agulhas has a network of experts across the globe working on the most challenging issues in international development and sustainability. Find out more about where we work.
