Experian 2008 Annual Report Download - page 32

30 Experian Annual Report 2008
Looking forward
One of the new roles for the CR
Management Group is to hold regular
‘horizon scanning’ meetings looking at
the risks and opportunities presented
by a longer-term view around each of
Experian’s key responsibilities. These
discussions are the precursor to ‘big
ideas’ highlighting social issues and
providing the stimulus for innovative
thought. Already two ideas have
presented themselves as a result of
the four meetings to date; the next
step will be to hold these discussions
across the regions through Experian’s
CR coordinators’ networks.
Link to business strategy
The six responsibilities are also
intrinsically linked with the Group’s
business strategy. Experian’s
business vision is that its people, data
and technology become a necessary
part of every major consumer
economy around the world. People
and data are two key resources and
the associated risks, from a social
and ethical standpoint, are in part
addressed by the discussions held in
the CR Management Group.
Board involvement
The CR strategy was presented to the
board and has their input and approval
and will be used in the year ahead to
drive progress. The board is given a
report on CR progress at each meeting
and directors are fully aware of their
duties and responsibilities.
Performance this year
The full report of our performance
this year is available online at
www.experiancrreport.com. This gives
a complete picture of how Experian
has met its objectives and complied
with policies. It has been reviewed to
provide assurance on the quality and
accuracy of its contents. Headlines
include:
A fall in carbon emissions from
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buildings, driven by improved energy
efficiency and increased purchase of
renewable energy.
The adoption of a new global
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environmental policy.
Findings from Experian’s first global
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employee survey, based on the
responses from nearly 10,000 (73%)
colleagues’ worldwide.
Inclusion in the FTSE4Good and Dow
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Jones Global Sustainability Indices,
the latter ranking Experian among the
top 10% of companies assessed for
sustainability.
Extended information on the Group’s
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stance on human rights, and in
particular the steps being taken
to ensure they are respected in
Experian’s supply chain.
Leadership of joint financial services
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initiatives that have led to a reduction
in the incidence of identity theft in
the US.
Awards won in the UK for the best use
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of data in the public sector.
The development of a report in Latin
l
America that will help assess the
environmental and social impact of
organisations alongside financial
stability.
Community giving, which has
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increased despite tough trading
conditions. Even without the effect of
the Serasa acquisition, community
giving as a percentage of profit went up
from 0.30% in 2007 to 0.34% in 2008.
Plans for next year
In the coming year the Group
intends to:
Focus on stakeholder engagement
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using the feedback prompted
by distribution of the hard copy
summary report.
Engage the regional management
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teams in further embedding social
and environmental concerns in their
everyday decision making.
Improve CR communications with
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employees and look at how they can
be more involved.
Work with Serasa, Experian’s
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recently acquired company in Brazil,
to improve the Group’s CR reporting
and to integrate the Serasa report
with Experian’s by 2009.
Community giving 20081 2007
12 months to 31 March US$’000 US$’000
Financial donations from Experian subsidiaries 1,202 730
Employee time volunteered 174 157
Gifts in kind 169 332
Management costs 212 222
Funds from Experian Group Limited 737 -
Total from Experian 2,494 1,441
Total as a percentage of Benchmark PBT 0.30% 0.20%
Total from Experian 2,494 1,441
Employee fundraising 417 212
Donations from the GUS Charitable Trust 141 518
Total value of all giving 3,052 2,171
Total value of all giving as a percentage
of Benchmark PBT 0.37% 0.30%
1 Includes a full year’s contribution of US$303,000 from Serasa, acquired in June 2007
Report on corporate responsibilities continued