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Statement of Director Engagement

Section 172 Companies Act statement on directors’ engagement with stakeholders

In order to comply with the requirements of section 172 of Companies Act 2006, the directors must act to promote the success of the Group for the benefit of its members as a whole. The directors recognise that success relies on a number of relationships, which requires regular engagement with key stakeholders of the Group, detailed as follows:

Shareholders/ Equity investors

Key issues impacted

Ways we engage

How we respond

  • Group strategy, performance and outlook
  • Strong returns and management throughout the Group
  • Growth and diversification of services offered
  • Regular Board meetings and continuous dialogue on performance, plans and strategic objectives
  • Non-executive Directors and Chairman on the Board
  • Discuss and agree key decisions
  • Annual Report and presentation of audited Financial Statements
  • Demonstrate our market leading position by continuous innovation and growth – increasing revenue, assets managed and range of services provided

Clients and customers

Key issues impacted

Ways we engage

How we respond

  • Manage clients’ investments safely and responsibly, in the way we have agreed
  • Educate the employees of corporate customers to improve their understanding of key financial issues that will affect them
  • Respond appropriately to all clients’ and customers’ long-term and changing financial and other needs
  • Dedicated Financial Advisers/Account Managers effectively respond to clients’ and customers’ needs
  • Regular communication via a variety of methods
  • Effective use of technology to allow greater insight and access
  • Dedicated contact teams to assist in the servicing of clients and customers
  • Achieve results in line with our clients’ objectives, serving them with a positive attitude and acting with integrity and respect; and providing regular updates via newsletter and market commentary
  • Operate according to our “Mum and Dad Principal” – “if you wouldn’t do it for your own Mum and Dad, don’t do it at all”
  • Continued investment in technology to improve customer service offerings, including access to online client portal to review investments
  • Provide customised content and delivery methods/bespoke service offering

Suppliers

Key issues impacted

Ways we engage

How we respond

  • Establish and maintain fair working relationships
  • Build long-term partnerships and communicate clearly the Group’s ongoing and future requirements
  • Regular contact, responsive communication and dedicated points of contact
  • A commitment to engage at appropriate levels of seniority
  • We make time to meet face-to-face
  • Honest feedback and collaborative engagement to enhance services and drive improvement
  • Seek to build trust and shared understanding of requirements and constraints
  • Strive to always keep our word and act fair and reasonably; creating where ever possible a collective team environment between companies

Employees

Key issues impacted

Ways we engage

How we respond

  • Develop our workforce so they can contribute effectively to the goals of the Group
  • Be open, supportive and ensure our workforce understand the value placed on them
  • Provide security, foster trust and be a business our staff are proud to work for
  • Regular communication to all employees including the availability of directors such that they are accessible to our workforce
  • Formalisation and regular review of policies to benefit and protect our employees
  • Role-specific training, accreditations and qualifications encouraged and promoted to all of our staff
  • Availability of an employee share ownership scheme to allow participation in the value created
  • Regularly review the structure of our workforce and adapt to recognise achievement, support business growth and delivering exceptional client and customer service

Society as a whole

Key issues impacted

Ways we engage

How we respond

  • Adherence to regulations and legislation that are deemed relevant to the Group’s sector
  • Minimise where possible any detrimental impact to the environment
  • Act responsibly and play our part in the betterment of the society we work in
  • Develop policies and promote practises which are environmentally friendly
  • Engage and correspond appropriately with regulatory and other authoritative organisations
  • Train our staff appropriately to be aware of regulatory obligations
  • Our Sustainability Policy is reviewed and updated regularly and promotes responsible travel and recycling practises
  • Active participation in information requests such as FCA thematic reviews and governmental surveys
  • Charitable donations are made to a variety of charities and assist university students with sponsored scholarships