Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2008

appropriate and comprehensive procedures and guidelines to achieve
our objectives and that appropriate forms of instruction, information,
training and supervision are made available to enable employees to
assist us in meeting our objectives. We continue to work towards being
able to more carefully monitor the positive impact our polices have on
the management of our environmental footprint.
All new buildings are managed with energy efficiency as a goal. We
conduct our activities, including contracting with other business entities,
in a resource-efficient manner and are selective in our choice of
products, processes and services. Our resource-efficient behaviour
includes implementation of pollution-prevention techniques to reduce
our generation of wastes, particularly hazardous and regulated
substances. The Finance Director, and in his absence the Chief
Executive, and other members of senior management are responsible
for environmental issues across the Group.
The Group conforms to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Directive 2002/96/EC by recycling electrical and electronic equipment.
This covers items such as white goods, brown goods, iT and
telecommunication equipment, electrical lighting and electrical tools.
paper, confidential waste, newspapers and magazines, packaging,
aluminium cans and containers are actively recycled. Quantification of
environmental initiatives across all the offices within the Group is not
available at present although the Group’s principal offices are located
within managed buildings, which follow best practice guidelines for
environmental issues including programmed lighting, air conditioning
sensors, monitoring water usage and recycling.
social responsibility and governance framework
The Group is committed to upholding its social responsibility and has
measures in place to address this responsibility. The Group endeavours
in all its office locations to be an active member of the local business
community. Employees in the Group’s regional offices attend local
meetings of the Chamber of Commerce, of the securities institute, and
of the various organisations in the Midlands, to promote the professional,
financial and business services in the region.
The Group has made £10,121 (2007: £23,115) in charitable donations
during the year as detailed on page 20 and continues to support its staff
participation in charitable events. in addition to monetary contributions
to charities, staff also contributed their time and talents.
The Head of Human Resources is responsible for human resources
issues in the Group. Details of employment practices can be found in
the Directors’ Report on page 20.
The Group adheres to the FsA principles of business and follows their
rules and guidance on appropriate behaviour as well as guidance
provided by the uK listing Authority and other regulatory bodies under
which the Group acts. Furthermore, the Group is committed to
extending its ethical obligations beyond regulatory compliance as
regards to conduct in its relations with its stakeholders, including clients,
suppliers, advisors, and shareholders. For example, Williams de Broë
limited manages the portfolios of a number of charity clients. Further
details of the governance framework can be found elsewhere in this
Corporate Governance Report.
health and safety
The Group takes its responsibilities to ensure the Health and safety of
its staff and any visitors to its offices seriously. it is the policy of the
Group and its associated companies to comply with the terms of the
Health and safety at Work Act 1974 and any subsequent legislation and
also to provide and maintain a healthy and safe working environment.
The Group endeavours to minimise the number of instances of
occupational accidents and illnesses and to ultimately achieve an
accident-free workplace. As part of this commitment all employees are
provided with such equipment, information, training and supervision
as is necessary to implement and achieve the above stated aim. in
addition, the Group recognises and accepts the duty to protect the
health and safety of all visitors to its premises, including contractors and
temporary workers, as well as any members of the public who might be
affected by our operations. it also conducts due diligence on contractors
to ensure that they adhere to suitable Heath and safety standards.
An efficient and effective Health and safety programme requires
effective communication between the Group and its employees on
Health and safety matters. Accordingly, the Group communicates health
and safety matters to staff through: (1) a number of key documents
outlining policy and procedures which are made available via the Group's
intranet sites; (2) various rules laid out in the Employee Handbook; (3)
the appointment and training of Health and safety representatives who
are responsible for the implementation and monitoring of Health and
safety policies and procedures in each office; and (4) the establishment
and rehearsal of effective evacuation procedures. Another key aspect
of ensuring that the Group's policies and procedures are appropriate
and in line with current laws, rules and regulations is the establishment
of a Health and safety testing and monitoring programme. To this end,
the Group have appointed a specialist Health and safety consultant.
Health and safety is considered by the Board at least on an annual
basis.
going concern
These Financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis as
the Directors have satisfied themselves that, at the time of approving
the Financial statements, the Group and Company have adequate
resources to continue in operational existence for the near future.
relations with shareholders
The Board is responsible for ensuring that a satisfactory dialogue with
shareholders takes place and welcomes shareholder participation.
The Chairman's statement, Chief Executive’s Report and Financial
Review in these Financial statements include a detailed review of the
business and future developments as a way of informing shareholders
of the Group’s performance and progress. The Board is also in regular
dialogue with institutional investors, and analysts, principally around the
time of the Group's announcement of results. After the announcement
of results, the Executive Board members present to existing and
prospective shareholders. in addition, the appropriate briefing meetings
are arranged with analysts and the press to ensure dissemination and
interpretation of the Group’s results.
The Board recognises the importance of investor relations and
communications with shareholders throughout the year as well as at
the time of results. Throughout the year, the Group Chairman, CEO and
where relevant the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee maintain
a dialogue with the principal shareholders, in order to understand their
issues and concerns discussing matters of governance, strategy and
remuneration, and are responsible for ensuring that shareholders' views
are communicated to the Board as a whole. The senior independent
Non-executive Director is available to meet with shareholders should
other channels of contact be unsuitable but was not called upon for this
We have made very good progress
WiTh The inTegraTion and developmenT
of each of our businesses.
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