BT 2014 Annual Report Download - page 85

82 Governance
Induction for Warren East (cont.)
• briengs on BT policies on anti-corruption and bribery, gifts and
hospitality, charitable donations, corporate sponsorship and The
WayWe Work.
Warren will also be visiting BT’s Newcastle contact centre to see
rst-hand BT’s customer service and will continue to be given
opportunities to gain an insight into a range of areas of BT’s business.
“BT organised a great process, arranging for me to meet many of the
executives and technologists. Everyone has been very candid and
helpful in developing my understanding of the business. It’s really
helped me to hit the ground running. – Warren East.
Training and information
To build on the induction programme, directors receive further briengs
both to help in their own development and also to enhance their
awareness of the dierent elements of the business. All directors are
encouraged to update regularly their skills and knowledge and the Board
and individual directors receive ongoing training as required. The key
areas focused on this year are highlighted below
Key areas Programme
Our business, the competitive
and regulatory environment, and
other changes aƪecting the group
and the wider communications
industry
Monthly written Investor Relations
and Analyst Relations report
written briengs and meetings
with senior executives.
Legal and other duties and
obligations as a director of a
listed company
The Company Secretary provides
briengs during the year onany
developments in the legal,
governance and compliance areas
(including reminders of continuing
obligations) and has follow-up
meetings if required. Formal
seminars were held during the year
covering accounting, governance
and compliance and reporting
developments.
Current activities A weekly written update to the
non-executive directors from
the Chairman on key business
activities, high-level meetings
and relevant sector highlights.
Board evaluation
The Chairman and Company Secretary carried out a Board evaluation in
March and April 2013 through an electronic questionnaire. We discussed
the resulting report in May and noted that, overall, the results were
positive. We also identied a number of improvements, and highlight
our actions in the key areas in the table below.
Key areas Actions
Board expertise
Continue to enhance the Board’s
knowledge of the various markets
in which the group operates
We have held deep-dives on the
lines of business and the markets
in which they operate.
Key areas Actions
Board dynamics
Continue the positive relationships
between the Board and senior
management, with more
interaction with management
A number of senior managers
have attended and presented
at Board meetings during the
year. The Board collectively and
individually met with a wide group
of BT people throughout the year.
We have scheduled a visit to an
Openreach contact centre in the
summer. There are also regular
talent breakfast meetings and
the non-executive directors have
a standing invitation to join the
Chairman at talent dinners with
senior employees.
Board insight
Receive more information on, and
have greater insight into, customer
service and competitor activity
Customer service has been
high on the Board’s agenda
and there have been several
discussions on it during the year.
The Board is receiving greater
detail on competitor activity.
External advisors presented their
perspective on the sector and on
the business environment at the
Board strategy day in March 2014.
Board committees
Remuneration Committee updates The committee chairman provides
an update at the private sessions
the Chairman has with the non-
executive directors.
Strategic oversight
Undertake further deep-dives into
the key strategic questions
We have continued with deep-dive
discussions throughout the year
during lunchtime Board slots.
There have been a number of BT
Sport updates at Board meetings
and via telephone and written
briengs. We held a Board strategy
day in March 2014 focusing on
key strategic objectives.
Priorities for change
To particularly focus on customer
service, BTTV and BT Sport, BT
Global Services, and organisational
culture
The Board has received regular
updates on customer service,
BTTV, BT Sport and BT Global
Services throughout the year and
received a presentation
on organisational culture in
early 2014.
We have begun the triennial external evaluation of the Board for
2014/15. This is being conducted by Lintstock, who also supply BT
with a database application which BT uses to meet the insider list
requirements under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules. You will nd
further details on this evaluation process on page87.