We have a wide range of stakeholders who influence or are affected by our day to day business, with varying needs and expectations. Our stakeholders include employees, investors, clients and consumers, suppliers, NGOs and government agencies. We approach stakeholder engagement at a global, country and local level.
In 2023, we refreshed our view on materiality. In addition to helping us understand potential financial risks and opportunities related to a wide range of ESG topics, this assessment also helped Compass further understand how our actions impact the planet and society.
The process involved a wide range of internal and external stakeholders from across all of our operating regions. External stakeholders included customers, suppliers, distributors, NGOs, investors, and topic-specific subject matter experts.
The outputs are mostly a refinement of the topics highlighted in our previous materiality assessment, though the process helped Compass develop a much deeper understanding of the impact we can have as an organisation.
STAKEHOLDER GROUP AND ACTIVITY
Our People
Description
Colleagues who work in our business.
Areas of focus
- Health and wellbeing
- Diversity and inclusion
- Recognition and careers
- Fair employment and equal opportunities
Why we engage
Our people are at the heart of our business and key to our ongoing success. We want our people to thrive in a fair and inclusive work environment.
How we engage
There are many ways we engage, including engagement surveys, town hall meetings, Speak Up reports, internal social media channels and consultative bodies.
Our Communities
Description
The people who live in the local communities around our sites and operations.
Areas of focus
- Local causes and issues
- Health and wellbeing
- Food waste
Why we engage
To build trust by operating responsibly and sustainably, and addressing issues that are material to our communities. To provide training opportunities, careers and support to local people, particularly those not in education, training or employment.
How we engage
We operate many local employment programmes to recruit and develop local people to work in our sites. We partner with local charities and organisations to raise awareness and funds to help local causes.
Our Clients
Description
The businesses and organisations for which we provide services around the world.
Areas of focus
- Working within defined sectors, creating bespoke, innovative solutions to match specific market and client requirements
- Health, wellbeing and focused sustainable CR initiatives
- Technology and analytical innovation to support consumer solutions
Why we engage
By understanding what is important to our clients, we ensure that our solutions are tailored to support their individual business objectives.
How we engage
We aim to have open and transparent relationships which are based on honesty and respect. We build relationships at all levels of our client organisations, sharing market trends and insight, developing strategic and operational plans, against which we regularly report. We hold independent client surveys which measure satisfaction levels.
Our Consumers
Description
The people to whom we serve food and drink and provide support services.
Areas of focus
- Delicious, safe and healthy food
- Staying ahead of changing consumer lifestyles and habits which impact how people want to eat and drink
- Making sure that our food and beverage offer is sustainable and good for the planet
- Clean and safe environments
Why we engage
We exist to serve people with nutritious food and drink, which helps them learn better, work better and recover better. We want our consumers to thrive and we create the environments to help them do that, at all life stages.
How we engage
We believe that engagement is a constant conversation with our consumers, listening carefully to how we can improve our service and find new ways to delight. We use a variety of methods including formal surveys, social listening, comment cards, workshops and observation. We combine analytical tools and common sense to get to actionable insights into our consumers’ preferences.
Our Suppliers
Description
Our trusted partners who source, produce and deliver products and services.
Areas of focus
- Food safety and authenticity
- Workplace health and safety
- Supply chain integrity
- Human rights
Why we engage
To develop mutually beneficial and lasting partnerships aimed at addressing shared challenges in responsible and sustainable sourcing, and to communicate our supply chain standards, expectations and commitments.
How we engage
We regularly communicate with our suppliers, and conduct formal supplier surveys, reviews and audits; we host regular multi-stakeholder supplier conferences in some of our larger markets.
Our shareholders
Description
Individuals or institutions that own shares in Compass Group PLC.
Areas of focus
- Financial performance and strategy
- Competitive positioning outlook
- Ethical business practice and sound governance
- Leadership and succession planning
- Debt and liquidity
- Sustainability
Why we engage
Our philosophy is to engage in regular, open and transparent dialogue with our existing and prospective shareholders. We value their thoughts and opinions which are shared with the Compass Group Board. The Board reviews the feedback and takes appropriate actions to address any concerns.
How we engage
We engage with our existing investors through one-to-one and group meetings, webcasts, presentations, conference calls and at our AGM. The Group Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs Director holds responsibility for the investor relations programme, and the Group CEO and Group CFO dedicate significant time to engaging with our major shareholders. The Chairman, other Board members, the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, the Group Chief People Officer and the Group Safety & Sustainability Director also engage with our shareholders on other matters, such as Environmental, Social and Governance topics.
NGO
Description
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which support us with knowledge and expertise on key social, environmental and economic issues.
Areas of focus
- Human rights
- Climate change
- Animal welfare
- Social issues
Why we engage
To ensure we stay up to date and develop effective action plans so we can have a positive impact on key social, environmental and economic issues.
How we engage
We engage with NGOs through regular communications, interactions and meetings, as well as through industry association memberships and at forums and conferences.
Governments & Regulators
Description
Regional and national government bodies and agencies who implement and enforce applicable laws across our industry.
Areas of focus
- Consumer health and public health policies
- Food safety
- Workplace health and safety
- Human rights
- Climate change
Why we engage
To communicate our views to those who have the responsibility for implementing policy, laws and regulations relevant to our business.
How we engage
Through a series of industry consultations, forums and conferences.
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