This section outlines the policies, structures, and standards that guide HSF’s operations and ensure transparency for all our stakeholders — donors, beneficiaries, partners and the wider public. Last updated: May 15, 2025.
🏛️ Governance Structure
HSF is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of distinguished professionals from the fields of cardiology, research, academia and international healthcare policy. The Board oversees the Foundation’s activities, ensures alignment with its mission, and guarantees sound financial stewardship and compliance with applicable regulations.
The Board regularly reviews and evaluates HSF’s strategic objectives, approves its budget and activities, and safeguards its ethical standards.
📄 Visit the HSF Trustee page to learn more about our leadership team and governance responsibilities.
⚖️ Compliance & Ethical Governance
Our Integrated Management System
The Heart Success Foundation operates under a comprehensive Integrated Management System, aligned with the following international standards:
SA 8000 – Social accountability
ISO 14001 – Environmental management
ISO 45001 – Occupational health and safety
ISO 37001 – Anti-bribery and corruption
These standards provide a robust framework for:
Promoting human and labour rights across all operations
Guaranteeing the health and safety of all personnel and collaborators
Preventing corruption and unethical behaviour
Minimising our environmental impact
🧭 Code of Conduct and Ethical Behaviour
HSF adheres to the EY Global Code of Conduct, which is further reinforced by internal Guidelines of Behavior specific to our organisation. These policies guide staff and partners in ensuring ethical consistency in all professional activities.
Key principles include:
Integrity, honesty, and transparency in all actions and decisions
Zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination or abuse
Clear rules on conflicts of interest, gifts and benefits
Ethical engagement with institutions, suppliers and public entities
Full cooperation with oversight authorities
🔒 Data Privacy and GDPR Compliance
HSF is fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and all applicable data protection laws in countries where it operates.
We apply strict policies and technical safeguards to ensure:
The secure collection, storage, and processing of personal data
The rights of individuals to access, rectify or erase their data
Protection against data breaches or unauthorised disclosure
Staff training on data responsibility and security awareness
📄 Read our Data Protection Policy Document and Privacy Policy Page
🧾 Legal & Regulatory Compliance
HSF is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations governing charitable organisations, including:
Legislative Decree 231/2001 (Italy), related to administrative liability of entities
UK Charity Commission and EU not-for-profit directives
Anti-money laundering laws and financial reporting obligations
We carry out regular risk assessments, maintain accurate and auditable records, and subject our partners to appropriate due diligence processes.
🤝 Transparency in Fundraising and Operations
We are committed to operating ethical and transparent fundraising practices. All donations are used exclusively for the mission of advancing heart failure research, education and clinical outreach.
Our reporting ensures:
Transparency in how funds are raised and allocated
Traceability of financial flows and grant disbursements
Donor confidence through clear communication and reporting
HSF welcomes audits, donor reviews and public scrutiny as part of our commitment to accountability.
♿ Accessibility Commitment
HSF is committed to making its content and services accessible to all individuals, including people with disabilities. Our website and digital platforms are designed to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
Upon request, we provide:
Alternative document formats (e.g., large print, accessible PDFs)
Language and readability support
Accessibility adjustments for assistive technologies
📄 Read our Accessibility page and 📧 to report an issue or request an accessible version of a document, contact accessibility@hsfcardio.org
🔄 Continuous Improvement
We continuously evaluate our governance and compliance systems to adapt to evolving regulations, best practices, and community needs.
This includes:
Annual policy reviews
Staff training and capacity building
Stakeholder consultation and feedback loops
Feedback is actively encouraged and plays a vital role in our improvement process.