Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a key priority for the Company. As one of the UK’s largest life and pensions providers, the Company is committed to aligning its corporate purpose with the needs of its customers and the wider community. The Company is also uniquely positioned as one of the UK’s largest investors to influence the companies in which it invests on CSR issues. The CSR Committee is chaired by the Group Chief Executive, and is supported by the committees listed in the Corporate Social Responsibility section.
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2009 Focus | |||
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Guiding Principles |
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The committee’s focus in 2009 |
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Our customers |
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Providing good value, fit for purpose products which meet or exceed our customers’ expectations. |
Ethics Committee |
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When the customer circumstances dictate, provide a pension the day a customer retires after a lifetime of saving, pay out valid claims when a customer gets ill or when an unexpected event leaves them unable to work, pay valid claims quickly when unexpected events affect our customers’ homes and livelihoods, provide investments which pay out what was planned for at outset. |
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Our people |
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Ensure our employees understand and adopt correct ethical behaviour. |
Equality and Diversity Committee |
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Work in close partnership with our recognised trade union, Unite, on key decisions affecting our employees. | |
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Adopt policies and practices which encourage an appropriate work/life balance and provide a flexible, supportive, healthy and safe working environment. | |
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Our environment |
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Reduce, rather than offset, the impact on the environment arising from our business activities. |
Group Environment Committee |
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Integrate environmental legislation into our business. |
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Our communities |
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Support the community as a whole particularly on grass roots issues where we can make a difference in those communities where our main offices are based in the UK and overseas. |
Group Charity Committee |
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Social investment through partnering with third sector organisations to campaign for the issues that matter to our markets and businesses. |
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Our suppliers |
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Compliance by our key suppliers with our Sustainable Procurement Policy. |
Group Environment Committee |
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Support those suppliers who do not comply with our CSR standards in making improvements. |
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Socially responsible investment |
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Promote responsible ESG business practices in the companies in which we invest. |
Group CSR Committee |
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Promote sustainable business practices in our commercial property portfolio to create better investor returns and relationships with occupiers. |
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Supporting the generation of shareholder value | |||
