FT SPECIAL REPORT Responsible Business

Tuesday July 8 2014 www.ft.com/reports | @ftreports

Inside »

Fresh starts Why a leading law firm is offering work experience to ex-offenders Page 3 Earning its keep Good works are not necessarily a burden on balance sheets Page 4 Forever young Employers are rediscovering the advantages of hiring apprentices Page 7

Honours shared The full list of 219 Big Tick award winners by category Page 10 Local bias Why serving communities is good for business and profits

Page 11 Illustration: James Fryer On FT.com » Slow progress on Good corporate citizens shine diversity at work Business urged to Many companies, however, insist on business cases for sustainability programmes Page 2 rethink recruitment 2 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014 3 Responsible Business Responsible Business Courage of convictions Enthusiasm as ex-offenders find jobs

Case study homelessness and broken lives, prison is right up may wane as Freshfields Bruckhaus there with time in the Deringer armed forces as a common denominator.” Work experience Mr Richards, who is on the board of Ready for offers fresh chance. Work, says when the idea companies of helping ex-offenders By Sharmila Devi came up, the firm’s first Mark Price concern was about risk to Managing director, Waitrose staff and it consulted with In the year after leaving its insurance company and prison, Andrew (not his the Law Society. pursue growth ‘A flourishing real name) applied for 60 A process was developed, modern business jobs. On a couple of covering the screening of is responsible in occasions when he was clients through checks spirit, attitude required to reveal his with probation officers and and action. criminal record at how to maintain Profitability interview stage, he says he confidentiality and this has and responsibility was escorted off the led to staff feeling Commitment The number of leaders who think are not premises. comfortable and proud of CSR very important has fallen, writes Elaine Moore incompatible His only sources of Hiring: Freshfield’s offices in the scheme, he says. goals, they go support were his probation London “Initially, we worried hand in officer and the local that some people who are jobcentre, which alerted to the right of Genghis hand. What s economists make guarded state- sible business initiatives. The number who him to the possibility of a “unspent convictions”, Khan might be upset,” he ments to the effect that the worst thought initiatives would be very impor- is good for work placement at the meaning they have says. of the financial crisis may be tant to the success of their business had society is London office of criminal convictions that “But, actually, people say over, a public debate is under fallen over the past few years to fewer than good for Freshfields Bruckhaus will remain on their record they feel great about it. way over who is benefiting most half of those surveyed. business.’ Deringer. The global law forever. The only type of Hopefully, other companies fromA the global economic recovery. The mood is markedly different from the firm runs a work offence barred by will take it up because, if Inequality has become this year’s talking early years of the new millennium, when experience scheme Freshfields is white-collar we can do it, anyone can.” point, propelling Thomas Piketty’s Capital business leaders gathered to discuss cli- encouraging ex-offenders fraud, but all other There is a business in the Twenty-First Century into the New mate change and ways in which markets back into work. offences are considered on benefit, he says, in the York Times best-seller list. The book’s find- could reward sustainable behaviour. “Prison is a horrible a case-by-case basis. form of boosting staff ings have been used in many arguments, Pre-crisis, advocates of CSR were encour- Christine Hodgson place and I’d never want to “It would be a lot morale and making the including an unexpected reference by aging businesses to consider positive social Executive chair, Capgemini go back, but there were tougher to get in if company stand out from shareholder activist Carl Icahn in his criti- behaviour as a virtuous cycle that would times when I felt like someone’s record showed competitors. cism of executive pay at Coca-Cola. feed into their corporate performance. throwing in the towel,” persistent dishonesty or a Recruiting participants There are signs that the financial crisis, Investing in communities would, the think- ‘In today’s says Andrew. “But then I long career as an armed such as Andrew into full- which did so much damage to corporate ing went, improve a company’s reputation unpredictable went to Freshfields and did robber,” says Philip time employment reduces reputations and balance sheets, put corpo- with its customers and the wider world, economy, the some work experience. Richards, senior partner staff turnover and related rate social responsibility (CSR) on the back which would in turn attract better talent need for “Three months later, and a champion of the costs, saving Freshfields burner. and so develop the business and eventually responsible they called and offered me scheme. “We don’t rule out about £115,000 a year. But think-tanks say that Mr Piketty’s the wider economy. business a year-long apprenticeship. violence if there was However, very few book, which argues that governments must The advent of the financial crisis and practices is It’s like a dream.” unusual provocation, participants go on to full- act to address the widening gap between economic downturn has put pressure on a critical. That is He is now three-quarters time jobs with the rich and poor, could prompt a wider debate model that makes it difficult for business why a commitment of the way through the company. At the same about the way capitalism is structured, and leaders to pin down shorter-term benefits. to high apprenticeship, although to time, there are wider lead to new commitments. “When the financial crisis first struck, it ethical prevent him being ‘We worried some benefits to society, through CSR has already entered into the main- seemed like there was a window of opportu- identified he cannot improving participants’ job standards

stream. More than 85 per cent of the com- nity for serious reflection on the wider pur- Illustration: James Fryer disclose the nature of his [existing staff] prospects and panies that make up the FTSE 100 are pose of business,” says Mallen Baker, an and core work. might be upset, but employability, with 43 per reporting on responsibility, and companies adviser on responsible business. “But that values Typically, more than half cent entering employment are aware of the expectation that a pub- was shortlived, and the typical reaction to tional philanthropic donations and grants.” within the sector and found that more underpins of an international law people say they feel within a year of their lished strategy should be in place. recession – to achieve growth at all costs – “We find that companies are...more believed spending on CSR would increase everything firm’s employees are not placement and 83 per cent Global plans have been made to formalise rather took over. The good news is that the strategic and want to maximise the impact than thought it would decrease. Contributors » we do.’ lawyers but work in great about it.’ sustaining employment for a definition of corporate responsibility, financial crisis did not lessen the commit- of their philanthropic capital for a longer However it also discovered that most clerical, IT and at least six months. including the UN Global Compact, and gov- ment by businesses on the whole.” period of time. Put simply, they are looking made a distinction between CSR that administration. Employment can reduce ernments have publicised the actions taken However, Peter Lacy, managing director for more bang for their bucks.” focused on philanthropy – such as dona- Clients – as Freshfields because we look at each the likelihood of by domestic companies. of strategy and sustainability services for If companies are struggling to make a tions – and corporate sustainability pro- Brian Groom Steven Bird refers to its work case individually.” reoffending by up to 50 per In the UK, David Cameron, the prime Accenture in the Asia-Pacific region, says business case for investment in certain grammes. Business and Designer experience staff – do not The work experience cent, according to data minister, appointed Philip Green, the businesses may have stalled in their schemes they can adopt a new approach, The professionals predicted that CSR pro- employment editor Ian Cheshire have to reveal the details placements include job from BITC. former chief executive of United Utilities, advancement of sustainability. say analysts: sustainability. grammes primarily focused on philan- For advertising Chief executive, Kingfisher of criminal convictions, coaching and support. Freshfields was the first as an adviser on responsible business and “Chief executives see business caught in Action to reduce packaging, cut electric- thropy – such as sponsorship, donations Elaine Moore details, contact: Julia which are known only to a “Clients” are given two- or to sign up to BITC’s Ban set up an informal working group called a cycle of ‘pilot paralysis’ – individual, ity, water and fuel use not only helps the and charity volunteering – were likely to Capital markets Woolley, handful of senior people four-week placements, a the Box campaign, in the Open Business Forum to discuss ways small-scale projects, programmes and busi- planet, it can also cut costs. suffer substantial cuts. correspondent +44 (0) 7950 918864 ‘Business is an engine who run the programme. work buddy and support which companies remove to improve transparency. ness units with an incremental impact on Unilever announced last year it had cut Corporate sustainability programmes, on [email protected], for change. We are Andrew, who is 38, would from job coaches after the the tick box asking about In April, the government published its sustainability metrics,” he wrote in a its energy use and its operating costs by the other hand, which attempted to link the Kaye Wiggins or your usual FT bumping up against only say he has one placement ends. convictions from some job response to a consultation on CSR as part report on the future of CSR. $395m since 2008, while Intel announced in good of the planet with profit, would go Senior reporter, Local representative. planetary pressures, conviction and spent The programme, Ready application forms. of its Responsible Business Week, in which Other organisations say the crisis has 2012 that its energy reduction produced from strength to strength. Government Chronicle so responsible several years in prison. for Work, was devised in Information about it outlined ways businesses could contrib- focused and streamlined the types of CSR $23m in annual costs savings since 2001. Business in the Community, a charity All FT Reports are business is the only “A law firm’s not the partnership with Business unspent criminal ute to long-term sustainable growth. The business leaders engage in. CSR International, a London-based social backed by some of Britain’s biggest compa- Sharmila Devi available on FT.com strategy to securing first place you’d look to in the Community (BITC). convictions only has to be report found that most companies were The UK’s Charities Aid Foundation, enterprise, believes investment in CSR will nies, insists corporate engagement in CSR Freelance journalist at ft.com/reports viability in the long find an ex-offender,” says When it started in 2001, disclosed once a job offer going beyond legal requirements to manage which works with about 7,000 employers, rise as a result of the crisis, as companies has not dipped in the wake of the crisis. Follow us on Twitter term. Juliet Holden, the the focus was on homeless is made. A further 15 and enhance their economic, environmen- including most of the FTSE 100 companies, think more broadly about their actions. “The expectation might have been that Tim Smedley at: @ftreports If business is Freshfields executive in people, because they were companies have signed up. Freelance journalist tal and societal impacts. says spending on responsible business has Last year, it interviewed professionals business would go into survival mode,” the heartbeat charge of corporate a more visible presence on “You’ve got to have In spite of those findings, there are signs picked up over the past few years, as has says Stephen Howard, chief executive. All editorial content in responsibility. “The main the streets of London, says passion and belief for this of our that enthusiasm among governments is not interest in special vehicles, such as funds “But this hasn’t been the case. What has this supplement is theme of this programme Mr Richards. to work,” says Ms Holden. being matched by companies. and bonds, used to give effectively. been remarkable, is how responsible busi- Helen Barrett produced by the FT. economy, is to raise aspirations and “We ruled out animals She adds that those on A recent survey of more than 1,000 chief Amy Clarke, head of advisory and con- ‘Companies want to maximise ness has responded to the challenging Commissioning editor Our advertisers have responsible employability.” and fluffy kittens. At that work experience have executives by the UN Global Compact and sulting, says: “Since the depth of the eco- philanthropic capital – they external environment and how the require- no influence over or business Since September 2011, time, there were a lot more shown a willingness to Accenture, the consultancy, found that few nomic downturn, we have seen increasing ment to do more with less, has driven a Andy Mears prior sight of the keeps it Freshfields has offered 80 homeless on the streets,” work hard, and that their business leaders believed that their interest in and appetite for the use of social want more bang for buck’ new understanding by businesses of its Picture editor articles or online pumping.’ placements and some 50 he says. “But when you drive and determination company’s share price reflected its respon- investment vehicles alongside more tradi- contract with society.” material. per cent of this group had look at the causes of are clear to see. 4 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014 5 Responsible Business Making good work pay becomes next big imperative

Accounting Social investments that may not bring returns for years are gaining ground. By Kaye Wiggins Big catch: M&S funds a sustainable fishing project in Orkney

rom policies on sustainable fishing started as part of a sustainability pro- little or no expectation of a direct financial cent of Europeans felt well-informed about and reducing carbon emissions, to gramme. “Ten or 15 years ago we invested return. The London Benchmarking Group companies’ responsible business plans. campaigns to encourage clothes in isotope testing,” explains John Rogers, (LBG), which measures companies’ invest- “[Sainsbury’s is] quite low-key on some of donations to Oxfam, Marks and chief financial officer at Sainsbury. ments in the community, found nearly a the messages about our social responsibil- Spencer widely promotes what it “That stood us in great stead when the third of community investment by UK ity,” says Mr Rogers. “But you can get Fcalls “Plan A” – its company-wide social horse meat scandal broke, because we had members in 2013 took the form of charita- accused of ‘greenwashing’, and the reason responsibility and sustainability pro- none in our products. ble donations, which may improve compa- for doing the work shouldn’t be PR-based.” gramme. “We couldn’t have produced that busi- nies’ long-term standing in the public eye As the links between CSR and financial But the UK retailer not only publicises its ness case at the time of the investment, but but are unlikely to lead to subsequent returns become increasingly complex, a plan, it also publishes annual data on its it was evidently the right thing to do.” boosts in revenues and profits. new form of CSR is springing up that links business impact. According to the com- Even M&S, with all its data, does not Jon Lloyd, head of the LBG, says: “Com- the two inextricably. pany’s own measure, Plan A placed a net place too much emphasis on the annual panies still see the need, particularly when Under “shared value” programmes, busi- financial burden of £40m on the company financial returns from CSR. responding to emergency situations, to do nesses are using core skills to develop prod- in 2007-08, its first year. In 2008-09 it broke Adam Elman, head of global Plan A deliv- the right thing and make a contribution ucts and services that bring both financial even and thereafter has produced a net ery at M&S, says that it is about equipping without expectation of a [financial] return.” and societal benefit. benefit annually that outstrips its first-year the business to deal with long-term chal- Even when companies do make the link Barclays, for example, has invested £25m cost. In 2013-14, the company says this gain lenges, such as resource shortages, that between CSR and financial returns, it does in a “social innovation facility” that aims reached £145m, up from £135m in 2012-13. may otherwise threaten its viability. not always have a persuasive effect. to accelerate such projects. The bank wants In the absence of formal accounting con- “There are a lot of benefits that we don’t “Certain shareholders are particularly to enable contactless payment cards to be ventions on measuring the costs and bene- monetise,” he says. “These include supply interested, but on the whole that level of used for charitable donations – a move that fits of corporate social responsibility (CSR), chain resilience, staff motivation and the interest is still not where we’d like it to be would meet its business aim of encouraging M&S has developed its own methods. value of our brand in the long term.” – it’s not top of their agenda,” says Mr card take-up, while benefiting charities. Based on Plan A reports, other busi- Manny Amadi, chief executive of busi- Elman. “From the perspective of the bottom line, nesses might reasonably infer that effective ness and society consultancy C & E Advi- Management theorists have raised ques- these projects may not pay back for four, CSR is a worthwhile investment. But not sory, says that companies are increasingly tions about whether companies are reaping five, or even 10 years,” says Mark Thain, all CSR programmes are alike. The value aware that the benefits of CSR are more enough financial reward from their existing Barclays’ vice-president for social innova- is often more complicated than what can be nuanced than short-term results. CSR work. According to Reputation Insti- tion. demonstrated in financial terms, not least “Their logic is that you can’t create tute, a New York-based consultancy, 73 per “But I know that from a shareholder because it is an unpredictable, long-term enduring value for shareholders unless cent of consumers would recommend com- point of view, they are more interested in investment. you’re thinking about the world around panies recognised as achieving CSR aims. how we will expand the business over 20 For example, a J Sainsbury programme you,” he says. But research published by the European years [through shared value work] than in to check the origin of its meat products In fact, much CSR is taking place with Commission in 2013 found just that 36 per how much we’ve donated to charity.” Today’s best bosses understand commerce’s social role

After all, this kind of Their actions cannot be economic entities were It is because business them in a programme of Opinion thing might lead to explained in terms of a few countries. Today, a sizeable has this power and research at Ashridge MATTHEW GITSHAM distractions and risks, and well-intentioned number are private influence that its Business School, learning even end up adding to personalities. companies, according to fundamental legitimacy is what it takes to be a There are plenty of stories costs. Rather, they reflect Global Trends, the threatened if it does not successful business leader. about irresponsible But think of Paul fundamental shifts that research company. use it in the wider public Among other things, it is business leaders, and many Polman aiming to double have taken place over their This has changed the interest. clear that today’s global people expect poor the size of Unilever’s generation. balance of power and The Friedman argument leaders need a nuanced standards of behaviour. business by inspiring Things have changed does not work in a understanding of the Milton Friedman, a Nobel sustainable living. since Prof Friedman made Matthew world where business is main societal forces Prize-winning economist, Or Ian Cheshire focusing his claim, which assumed Gitsham: global and government is shaping our world, and wrote in the 1970s that the Kingfisher on helping the responsibility for governments not. a genuine personal passion purpose of business was to people to live in better and dealing with society’s need the help This has fundamentally for running a profitable make as much money as more sustainable homes. problems lay with of business changed the scope of business by serving possible without breaking And then there’s Justin government. leaders business leaders’ roles. the interests of wider the law. King putting values and The priority of business It has thrust today’s society. We should not expect provenance at the centre of was to generate profit; business leaders, whether This is how you succeed anything else from chief how J Sainsbury competes societal issues were none influence to the extent that they like it or not, into in a changed world. Some executives – right? with other retailers. of its business. many of today’s complex more overtly political roles, have noticed and others So, why do we also see In the past few weeks, Today, while it might not global challenges cannot be nationally and globally. have not. stories on business leaders chief executives of eight of feel like it for chief dealt with by governments The chief executives talking about social the 10 biggest food and executives, businesses have alone. They need sticking their necks out Matthew Gitsham is problems and placing value beverage companies have far broader horizons and collaborative leadership are those embracing this director of the Ashridge for wider society at the publicly called for a strong, influence. from political leaders, new role, and learning how Centre for Business and heart of their corporate legally binding deal on Some 40 years ago, business leaders and to play it well. Sustainability at Ashridge strategies? global climate change. the world’s biggest NGOs. We have been following Business School 6 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014 7 Responsible Business Responsible Business

Welfare From awareness campaigns to involving senior staff – ideas are being tested, says Tim Smedley Companies make room for tomorrow’s talent

“There have been young young people’s employ- At the same time there “This is a business imper- about 50 per cent of parts of Youth employment people coming in at 4am ment, whether through was a decline in starter- ative,” says Fiona Kendrick, its workforce in the next 10 just to see the morning apprenticeships, work expe- level and Saturday jobs, so chief executive of Nestlé years as people retire, so we Attitudes towards vehicle operation,” she rience, traineeships or talk- many school leavers were UK, the consumer goods need a new generation.” recruiting young adds. “We have had them ing to children in schools. emerging from education group, which has pledged to The scheme, which has staying way beyond their Katerina Rudiger, skills with little idea of what create 1,900 employment been piloted in the West people are softening, shift to help with shop floor policy adviser at the Char- work entailed. opportunities for under-30s Midlands, will be rolled out writes Brian Groom moves that were happening tered Institute of Personnel The proportion of 16 to 24- over three years. “We know to 600 schools by the char- High cost of through the night.” and Development, says: “In year-olds not in employ- we will have a big percent- ity Business in the Commu- Of the first year’s intake, the past couple of years, we ment, education or training age of our manufacturing nity. Companies such as Employers are often reluc- more than 1,200 completed have seen a real shift in hit 17 per cent in late 2011. workforce retiring over the Anglian Water, British Gas, tant to hire young people, the four-week scheme, employer behaviour to- That proportion has since next 15 years.” SSE, Costain and Whitbread even though there are more which mixes work experi- wards young people, as declined to 13.5 per cent, Steve Holliday, chief exec- have signed up. than 850,000 unemployed 16- ence with training in skills they wake up to the fact but that is still 975,000 utive of National Grid, the Barclays has so far hired mental health to 24-year-olds and UK busi- such as communication and that a lot of their employees gas and electricity network 1,400 young people in an nesses are struggling to fill team work. More than 80 are going to retire and Employers company, is leading a apprenticeship scheme one in five vacancies per cent secured a job with they need talent coming fear young project called Careers Lab, launched two years ago because of skills shortages. M&S – a higher rate than through.” adults are aimed at bridging the gap aimed at the long-term job- They are sceptical about expected. But, she adds: “We are not ready for between schools and work less and those with fewer problems forces young people’s skills and The company says it ben- just at the start.” Ms Rudi- work and lack by sending employees of than five GCSEs. their readiness for work. efits from lower recruit- ger says more employers basic skills businesses of all sizes into At first, one in 10 candi- But a growing number of ment costs and improved need to adapt their hiring classrooms to deliver dates made it through the companies are setting up motivation from existing methods. For instance, at careers lessons alongside hiring process, but the bank schemes to recruit young staff, many of whom enjoy interviews they should ask young people (higher than teachers. Careers advice has raised this to seven in employers to act workers – and they can be being “buddies”, helping questions aimed at drawing the number of unemployed can be a weak part of the 10 by offering a pre-appren- surprised by the results. the trainees. “They loved out candidates’ strengths – because some are not education system, because ticeship programme to “We were blown away by being involved with young such as volunteering they actively seeking work). teachers find it hard to keep boost literacy, numeracy their dedication and atti- people and working along- may have done – rather Despite this, the UK faces up with the type of jobs and employability. very year, one in four adults in the environment, “then people will feel safe to tudes,” says Sophie Brooks, side people they would oth- than professional competen- the prospect of running out likely to be available in Mike Thompson, Bar- UK experiences mental health talk”, says Ms Baker. “But it’s a bit like the a Marks and Spencer man- erwise probably never have cies, since they may not of people to do jobs. future. clays’ director of early problems, and evidence suggests chicken and the egg. The reason why peo- ager who runs a scheme met,” Ms Brooks says. have work experience. Employers’ plans suggest Mr Holliday says: “We are careers, says: “They are the problem is taking an increas- ple don’t talk is that they are worried about launched a year ago with A growing number of The new interest follows 13.5m vacancies will arise co-ordinating these activi- hungry and quick to learn, ing toll on businesses. being judged, or seen as not a good invest- the Prince’s Trust charity companies including Nestlé, a long period when employ- in the next 10 years, accord- ties because we passion- compared with a normal EThe Office for National Statistics (ONS) ment for a certain career path.” to recruit 1,440 unemployed Barclays, Accenture, PwC, ers ran down apprentice- ing to the Department for ately care about it, but also recruit. “A lot have been up reported 15.2m days of sickness absence To counter this, L&G trains its line man- youngsters annually and Gapgemini, O2, EE, Asda ships, neglected school leav- Work and Pensions, but for a very serious business to two years’ unemployed across the UK in 2013 caused by stress, agers to “identify when members of staff equip them for a career in and EDF Energy have intro- ers and relied on graduate only 7m young people will reason. The energy and util- and had almost given up anxiety or depression – significantly higher are experiencing problems and to feel com- retail. duced schemes to increase recruitment schemes. leave school and college. ity sector is going to lose hope of getting a job.” than the 11.8m days lost in 2010. The fortable having that one-to-one conversa- absences are thought to cost UK employers tion”, says Ms Sallows. “Then, it is about £26bn a year. getting the right response for the right However, the part played by employers symptoms and helping individuals feel sup- and the working environments they pro- ported and valued within the workplace. vide is only now becoming better under- “We have found that offering such things stood. “It’s unfortunately quite common as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that people experience stigma and discrimi- while trying to put individuals on a graded nation,” says Sue Baker, director of Time to return to work, is often far more effective Change, a campaign run by Mind and than just signing them off for a number of Rethink Mental Illness, the charities. weeks.” A survey by Time to Change found that Having suffered from depression, Adam Pressure: some employers, however, encourage frankness about mental illness Gallery Stock 44 per cent of people who had experienced Spreadbury, a regulator at the Bank of Eng- mental health problems had been stopped land [see panel, right], believes that “with from looking for or returning to work the right levels of support, you can manage because of stigma and discrimination. your mental health condition in the same At Legal & General, the investment and way as a physical health condition”. Case study Adam Spreadbury insurance company, Vanessa Sallows, bene- “For some people, work and keeping busy fits and governance director, acknowledges are actually a really important part of their there are some “very demanding roles, par- mental health.” Between 2005 and 2009, I suffered from He and my head of department helped me to ticularly in financial services”. Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) bouts of depression. The initial symptoms phase my return to work, to build up Her company like many others has seen are commonly offered by large and small were lack of concentration. I lost energy and confidence again. an increase in mental health problems employers, with helplines to offer advice to my sleeping patterns were disrupted. Since then, I have stayed on since the recession, ranging from stress, employees on finance, relationships and – Eventually, I went to my GP and had some antidepressants which, along with therapy, anxiety, clinical depression and postnatal increasingly – mental health. cognitive behavioural therapy-based have helped me to stay healthy. depression. “We also have individuals with Other measures available include work- counselling, arranged through the employee The environment at work is very important. bipolar disorder,” she says. shops on mindfulness, mental health assistance programme. But between six and In 2012, I helped set up a mental health Helping employees to be frank about awareness training, and promoting the nine months later, the pattern continued. network at the bank. We try to normalise such problems is an important first step, “Five ways to wellbeing” health advice, Each time I thought I was getting better, I mental health. If you do struggle, it need not and some companies are finding new ways namely: connect with family and friends, kept falling back. be a long-term problem. to encourage such conversations. be physically active, take notice of the By summer 2008, my psychiatrist decided People are often reluctant to talk to At L&G, says Ms Sallows, a “Spot it to world around you, keep learning new I should go on antidepressants. In November, someone that they know has a problem, in stop it” campaign tries to break the taboo. things, and give generously. I tried coming off them – four weeks later I case they say the wrong thing. But it’s just a “We’d done Macmillan [the cancer charity] None of this would work, however, with- literally fell over. This time it was physical, case of taking time to ask how they are. It’s coffee mornings in the past and found them out the right signals from senior leaders. with suicidal thoughts. I couldn’t get out of not about trying to be a counsellor, it’s really useful in getting people to talk about “If you have high profile, senior executives bed for two months. simply being thoughtful. cancer,” she says. “We decided to do some- coming forward and saying ‘this has hap- All along, my line manager was really thing along the same lines, coffee mornings pened to me’,” says Ms Sallows, “that supportive. We had a lot of things going on Adam Spreadbury is a senior regulator at the and sit-downs with staff to give them the shows you can have a highly successful at work, but I was never made to feel guilty. Bank of England. opportunity to talk about mental health.” career despite having suffered from mental Eon, the energy company, has piloted an health problems.” approach called “Head Sheds”. “We actu- Mr Spreadbury, too, helped set up a panel Andy Buxton, health and wellbeing man- ally set up garden sheds, even including event at the Bank of England where senior ager at National Grid, says he used take a fake grass round them, in different loca- staff talked openly about their own mental detailed business case for health and well- tions of our businesses,” says Fiona Stark, health experiences. being expenditure to the board, proving director of corporate affairs – health, safety But surely senior professionals attract that “for every pound spent on psychologi- and environment. “People could go in, post the salaries they do because they are men- cal rehabilitation processes we got back at comments on the wall about how they were tally strong and able to cope with pressure? least two in returning people to work feeling. It was an opportunity to start that “No one is invincible or immune,” says ‘For every pound spent on early”. discussion. There were occupational health Ms Baker. “Often people who ignore mental psychological rehabilitation, “But now they just see it as the right people they could engage with and get a health issues and never discuss them are thing to do,” he says. To not do anything follow-up session for support.” not the ‘stronger’ ones; it takes strength to we got back at least two’ would be damaging to individual and If a workplace is regarded as a supportive confront them and talk about them.” employer alike. 8 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014 9 10 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014 11 Responsible Business Responsible Business

Big Ticks Companies – large and small – that can demonstrate they make a difference in society

The Big Ticks are the first level of •Camden Town Unlimited* •Inspired Change •ScottishPower* •LSI Architects accolade in Business in the •Circle Housing Group* •KPMG •Affinity Sutton •The Midcounties Co-operative Community’s annual Responsible •Hogan Lovells* •Manchester Airport Group •Cadwyn Housing Association •Prudential UK & Europe Business awards. They are given to •Nationwide Building Society •Carillion companies whose programmes are Building Stronger Communities •Pinsent Masons (Yorkshire & •Greggs Arts & Business Corporate the best examples of business as a Award Humber) •GSK Responsibility Award force for good. Recognises partnerships between •Pinsent Masons (West •Keepmoat Recognises arts and business This year 219 entries have businesses and community Midlands) •L&Q collaborations using culture to work received a new Big Tick and 11 have organisations to address social •Slaughter and May •Sage with communities won a CommunityMark award. problems •Telefónica UK (O2) •British Land & New Diorama The 59 Big Tick companies •Derwentside Homes* •The Co-operative Group Bupa Workwell Engagement and Theatre marked with an asterisk were •Lloyds Banking Group* •UBS Wellbeing Award •DBS Law & City of shortlisted to be overall winners in •Mind Gym* •Wates Construction Group Recognises those investing in the Birmingham each category. The overall winners •Mondelez International* engagement and wellbeing of their Symphony Orchestra will be published in the Financial •New Charter Housing Trust Inspiring Young Talent Award employees •Deutsche Bank & 15 UK Times on July 9. Group* Recognises businesses that address •Dairy Crest* Universities For more about the methodology •Capgemini youth unemployment and the UK •East Coast Mainline* •Liverpool John Moores University behind the selection process, please •Capital One skills gap with youth-friendly •EDF Energy* & Liverpool Philharmonic go to www.ft.com/responsible- •Danone recruitment practices, work •Gentoo Group* Orchestra business-2014 •Danone Nutricia experience programmes or accessible •Hewlett-Packard* •Southern Railway & Sussex •Darlington Building Society routes to successful working lives •Unipart Group* Downs College Responsible Business Award •Dentsu Aegis Network such as apprenticeships •Diageo Recognises large businesses that •IBM UK •Asda Stores* •EE Opportunity Now Awards have adapted their strategies so that •KPMG •Barclays* •Eriks UK Recognises organisations creating their products, services and •Macquarie Group •EE* •Southeastern Railway inclusive workplaces, where women employees can build resilient •Manchester Airport Group •KPMG* are able to progress and reach their communities and environmentally •RWE Npower •Marks and Spencer* Engaging Customers on full potential sustainable practices, and are •Tesco •Boots UK Sustainability Award •Asda Stores influencing others to create •The Crown Estate •Carillion Training Services Recognises those that use marketing •Atkins conditions for long-term change. •United Utilities •Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer to inspire and enable people to live •CA Technologies The winner will be BITC’s LLP more sustainable lifestyles •Deutsche Bank Responsible Business of the Year Dairy Crest Rural Action Award •Fujitsu •Anglian Water* •Diageo Talent tapped: Timpson, the key-cutting and shoe repair company, employs people often excluded from the labour market Charlie Bibby •EDF Energy* Recognises businesses that support •Gelder Group •Thames Water* •Eversheds •Johnson Matthey* rural communities to maintain a •Gus Robinson Developments •Waitrose* •EY •National Grid* sustainable rural economy •Jaguar Land Rover •Friends Life •Gentoo Group •Calor Gas* •Linklaters Sustainable Products and Services •Genesis Housing Association •Nationwide Building Society •E H Booth & Co* •Lloyds Banking Group Award •Hogan Lovells •Yorkshire Water Services •Manchester Airport Group* •Manchester Airport Group Recognises those embedding •IBM United Kingdom Local projects aim for mutual benefits •Wm Morrison Supermarkets* •Mulberry Company (Design) environmental sustainability into core •McKinsey & Company Santander Responsible Small •Norfolk and Norwich University products or services, as well as the •Mitie Business Award Recognises small Education Award Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust processes used to produce or •Morgan Stanley and medium-sized businesses Recognises those building sustainable •PD Ports Group develop them •National Grid demonstrating a responsible partnerships with schools in the UK •Seddon Construction •Blakemore Logistics* •Norton Rose Fulbright approach to business in to raise aspirations of young people •The Centre for Partnership •CFH Docmail* •Obelisk Communities Businesses are supporting people living in the areas in which they operate, says Kaye Wiggins communities, the environment, the to enable them to build successful •Whitbread •Drax Group* •Procter & Gamble marketplace and workplaces working lives •Willmott Dixon Partnerships •FM Conway* •PwC •Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate* •A.F. Blakemore & Son* •Interface* •Royal Air Force oor families in Derby heading to local organisations tackling local alcohol- •Handmade Alliance CIC* •EDF Energy* Work Inclusion Award •Lakes Free Range Egg Company* •Royal Bank of Scotland their local food bank might be related problems, such as health services, •Ipswich Building Society* •Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer* Recognises companies that support •Birmingham City University •Royal Mail surprised to learn that the centre Case study Dransfield Properties the police, probation services and retailers. •LSI Architects* •The University of Manchester* people from disadvantaged groups •Boots UK •Sodexo is supported by Rolls-Royce. Members have discussed the possibility •Moat Homes* •BAM Construction into employment and/or improve •Brother Industries (UK) •SThree Apprentices from the engineer- of Sainsbury and other supermarkets •Novus Property Solutions* •EON skills for employment •Lettuce Flowers •Unilever Ping firm have volunteered to hand out food Residents of the picturesque Northumberland developer for a multistorey car park and refraining from cheap promotions, and •K10 •Esh Group •The Co-operative Group* •Nampak Plastics parcels at the Hope Centre food bank in the market town of Morpeth were not impressed apartments. moving the alcohol section to the back of •Logistik •Hogan Lovells •Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer* •NATS Race for Opportunity Awards city, and the apprentices are also tackling when Dransfield Properties, a retail developer, When the Sanderson Arcade reached stores during street festivals and events. •Phoenix Gas •Northumbrian Water Group Recognises those businesses tackling the food bank’s supply, storage and logisti- announced plans for a £52m project in 2006, planning committee stage, fewer than five Sainsbury says: “We are members of •Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) the barriers in the workplace faced cal problems. writes Kaye Wiggins. objections were received. The centre, which boards such as this in several areas. It Unilever International Award •Veolia by black people and those from Rolls-Royce says the project’s benefits are “They thought we were going to ruin the opened in 2009 and was completed last helps us. . . see how best to help.” Recognises those making a positive other ethnic minorities much wider than making staff feel good by place,” says Mark Dransfield, managing year, has recorded a 20 per cent rise in For Carillion, the construction company, impact on one or more of the UN Responsible Business Awards in •Affinity Sutton donating time and expertise to others. director. “It involved national retailers, and footfall in the first six months of this year working with communities presents differ- millennium development goals Wales •African & Caribbean Diversity “Since these people will become the leaders people feared we’d disrupt local trade.” compared with the same period last year. ent challenges. •Ferrovial* Recognises businesses in Wales •American Express of our workforce, it’s important they know So the company embarked on a The company manages its own centres “Increasingly, when we build something, •Credit Suisse* adopting best practice •Barclays more about the local community and the programme of consultation with 12 interest rather than outsourcing the task, we’re involved in managing it for the next •Glasgow Caledonian University* •ACT Training •BP challenges that may affect team members groups including Morpeth and District and trains security guards to be 30 years,” says David Picton, the company’s •GSK* •Brother Industries (UK) •BT or their extended families,” says Paul Chamber of Trade, the Morpeth Civic Society “ambassadors”, giving directions to visitors chief sustainability officer. “So we take a •Marks and Spencer* •Cadwyn Housing Association •Circle Housing Group Broadhead, head of community investment and English Heritage. As a result, it and offering advice on local places to visit. long-term approach to working with com- •Tata Consultancy Services* •Carillion Civil Engineering •Cisco and education outreach at the company. abandoned plans to replace a historic façade, “Listening and being personable is what munities. •BASF SE •Dwr Cymru Welsh Water •Citi Rolls-Royce is one of a growing number and controversial proposals by a previous makes it work,” Mr Dransfield says. “Sometimes that’s challenging because •Agroamerica •Finance Wales •Crown Prosecution Service of companies taking greater interest in the the needs of an area can be so diverse that •Danone •GD Environmental Services •Eversheds welfare of the communities in which they you think, where do we start?” •Hogan Lovells •Network Rail Cymru Wales •EY operate. Many are reasoning that in order Some communities “imagine you’re only •Mondelez International •P&A Group •Generating Genius for their businesses to prosper as the UK between local businesses, charities and out there,” he says. “Some people feel they in it for the short term”, he says, adding •Shared Interest Society •Porth Teigr •HM Revenue & Customs emerges from recession, those communities community groups. are thrown on the scrap heap in terms of that the company has responded by devel- •RCT Homes •Hogan Lovells need support. “When they came back they were buzzing employment. The loyalty, enthusiasm and oping long-term “community needs plans” International Disaster Relief •Rhondda Housing Association •HSBC “In the past two years there has been a with ideas,” he says. The lessons they productivity we get from them . . . is good – a document setting out an assessment of Award •UPM Shotton •Imperial College London lot more understanding,” says Bill Boler, learnt, such as the need to solve the “pov- for business.” community needs and a list of objectives Recognises those carrying out relief •Wales & West Utilities •King’s College London director of physical regeneration at Busi- erty premium” – in which low-income cus- But not all companies find community and targets for the company. action in the immediate aftermath of •Morgan Stanley ness in the Community. tomers without a bank account face extra relations straightforward. J Sainsbury hit Data published last month show 72 per disasters CommunityMark Award •National Grid Lloyds Banking Group is another exam- charges to pay bills – are at the centre of problems in 2010 when its application for cent of the company’s contracts included a •Bouygues UK* Recognises leadership and excellence •Nationwide Building Society ple. Graham Lindsey, director for responsi- the company’s latest CSR strategy. an alcohol licence at a Brighton store in the community needs plan in 2013. •BT Group* in community investment •Queen Mary University of London ble business, says his company has come to Meanwhile Timpson, the shoe repair and city’s North Street was refused. The store However, Mr Boler fears that too few •Pilipinas Shell Petroleum •Capital One UK •Rare recognise that “the prosperity of the vast key cutting company, has extended its pro- was in a “high alcohol impact” area of the businesses – particularly in the develop- Corporation* •Siemens Industry – Industrial •Runnymede number of local communities in which we gramme of employing ex-offenders to city according to the local authority – ment and regeneration sectors – see the •UPS* Automation, Drive Technologies •SEO London operate is inextricably linked to the pros- include other groups who struggle in a meaning alcohol consumption contributed value of working with communities in a •Allen & Overy and Customer Service •Shell perity of our business”. tough labour market, such as disabled peo- to social and public health problems in the meaningful way. •UBS •The Civil Service Lloyds has seconded about 50 of its staff ple, the long-term unemployed and former district. “Developers are starting to think about Asda Enterprise Growth Award •Willmott Dixon •The Foreign & Commonwealth to work in local communities under Busi- military personnel. The retailer eventually opened its store how they engage people . . . but too many Recognises large businesses that •Brentford Football Club Office ness in the Community’s “business connec- The latter group is increasing in number without a licence. Since then, Sainsbury still see it as being linked to planning support small and medium ones to •Heineken UK •The Institute of Education tors” programme. as armed forces redundancies set in, says has been involved in tackling alcohol-re- approval,” he says. Progress will have been encourage local economic growth •Intu Properties •University College London Secondees are placed in deprived commu- Darren Burns, Timpson’s national recruit- lated harm in the city. It has joined the made, he argues, when more businesses •Blakemore Fine Foods* Jaguar Land Rover: BITC Responsible Business of the Year 2013 •Jaguar Land Rover •University of Manchester nities, where they are charged with the ment ambassador. local authority’s alcohol programme board, regard community engagement as part of task of strengthening relationships “There’s a huge pool of untapped talent set up in 2010 to bring together leaders of their mainstream work. 12 FINANCIAL TIMES TUESDAY JULY 8 2014