Daily Mail and General Trust plc Satisfying the need to know
Sustainability R eport 2020 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Introduction 3 Introduction from the CEO 3 2020 Overview 4 DMGT is an international business Driven by our values 5 built on entrepreneurism MSCI ESG Rating 5 Environmental Performance 6 Carbon Footprint 7 and innovation. Our printing processes 10 Environmental Impact – our other businesses 12 Climate-related risks and opportunities 13 Environmental initiatives at our operating companies 16
Our People 18 Keeping our people informed 19 Developing our employees 20 Diversity and inclusion 22 Our diversity initiatives 23 DMGT manages a portfolio of companies that provide Gender breakdown of our employees 25 Gender pay gap reporting 25 businesses and consumers with compelling information, Supporting our employees during Covid-19 27 Health and safety 27 analysis, insight, events, news and entertainment. The Human rights 27 Group takes a long-term approach to investment and has Our Social Impact 28 market-leading positions in consumer media, insurance Our community engagement in FY 2020 29 risk, property information, education technology and Our response to Covid-19 32
events & exhibitions. In total, DMGT generates annual Our Governance 36 revenues of around £1.2 billion. Board activities and stakeholder engagement 37
2 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Introduction from the CEO
I am proud to introduce DMGT’s first sustainability report, covering our approach to sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics across our businesses. The information and data We have never been provided within the report relate to the 2020 financial year from 1 October 2019 to a company to 30 September 2020. stand on the We, as a portfolio of companies, have continued to recognise and address our side-lines if there is environmental and social impact, and how this is defined by our approach to an opportunity to governance. We believe our governance give support.” policies are in the best interests of the Group and all of its stakeholders, and that we are effective and attentive in our approach. We We recognise that sustainability is of have already made significant progress in growing importance to our customers as reducing the environmental impact of our well as the broader stakeholder base and printing operations and we are putting in society as a whole. DMGT’s ability to deliver place plans to minimise our impact across analysis and insights is likely to create long- our other business activities. term financial opportunities in this area for the Group. It requires innovation, a purpose- We are also dedicated to our people and led attitude and a commitment to investing communities. We have never been a company responsibly by understanding ESG risks to stand on the side-lines if there is an and opportunities. Sustainability is a global opportunity to give support. Through a range discussion and this is why our standards of local partnerships within the communities apply across all our operating companies. our operating companies serve, and Group- This report demonstrates our commitment wide programmes such as our Corporate to the journey to a more sustainable future. Responsibility (CR) Champions network, DMGT supports and encourages purpose within our communities.
Paul Zwillenberg CEO 3 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
DMGT Cares launched for employees to provide volunteering opportunities, match funding donations and practical ways to help local communities £11,000,000 Set up in partnership with Salesforce, Mail Force Charity provided 40 million items of PPE to the 90% NHS and charitable organisations. A total of over 10 of water in our £11 million was raised by Daily Mail readers and Corporate Responsibility #1 newspaper printing philanthropists during the Covid-19 pandemic. Champions from across Our first process is recycled our businesses sustainability and re-used report £1,600,000 2020 in charitable donations and employee volunteering hours in FY 2020 Overview £5,000,000 value of advertising given to small and medium sized UK businesses free of charge during the Covid-19 pandemic
22% More than 3 million US 56% students given free access Diversity reduction in our gross of direct reports to the DMGT CEO are to Hobsons’ Naviance greenhouse gas Curriculum during the emissions in Covid-19 pandemic 54 NHS hospitals & inclusion comparison to provided with the ‘i’ training for managers and employees FY 2019 piloted this year newspaper free of charge during the Covid-19 pandemic 51% of all promotions in FY 2020 were women 4 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Driven by our values
Our long-term approach towards sustainability reflects DMGT’s perspective as an organisation. DMGT has a family heritage which encourages long-term thinking and the application of patient capital. Consequently, the Group can invest for the future, seeding, Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Ratings measure MSCI ESG Rating incubating and nurturing innovative a company’s exposure to industry specific opportunities. MSCI ESG Research provides in-depth material ESG risks and how well a company is research, ratings and analysis of the managing those risks. This multi-dimensional DMGT encourages curiosity and innovation environmental, social and governance- way of measuring ESG risk combines the amongst its people, and is built around a related business practices of thousands of concepts of management and exposure to set of values that are common across our companies worldwide. Their research is arrive at an assessment of ESG risk, i.e. a total portfolio of operating companies. Since unmanaged ESG risk score or the ESG Risk designed to provide critical insights that can brothers Alfred and Harold Harmsworth Rating, that is comparable across all industries. help institutional investors identify risks and invented popular journalism in 1896 with the Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Ratings provide a opportunities that traditional investment launch of the Daily Mail, entrepreneurs have quantitative measure of unmanaged ESG risk research may overlook. The MSCI ESG Ratings been a driving force for DMGT’s businesses. and distinguish between five levels of risk: are also used in the construction of the MSCI negligible, low, medium, high and severe. As a home for entrepreneurs, seeking to ESG Indexes, produced by MSCI, Inc. For more Learn more about the ESG Risk Ratings here. take advantage of market disruption, DMGT information, click here. fosters constant innovation, growth and As of October 2020, DMGT received an ESG talent development. Businesses have a clear In 2020, DMGT received a rating of BBB (on a Risk Rating of 14.3 from Sustainalytics sense of delivering for their customers and and was assessed to be at low risk of scale of AAA - CCC) in the MSCI ESG Ratings society whilst also improving operational 2 experiencing material financial impacts from assessment. execution. We live out these values through ESG factors. DMGT’s ESG Risk Rating places our relationships with our employees, it in the seventeenth best percentile in the customers, shareholders and suppliers. Media industry assessed by Sustainalytics.1
1 COPYRIGHT ©2021 SUSTAINALYTICS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS [PUBLICATION/ ARTICLE/ SECTION] CONTAINS INFORMATION DEVELOPED BY SUSTAINALYTICS (WWW.SUSTAINALYTICS.COM). SUCH INFORMATION AND DATA ARE PROPRIETARY OF SUSTAINALYTICS AND/OR ITS THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS (THIRD PARTY DATA) AND ARE PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THEY DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT OF ANY PRODUCT OR PROJECT, NOR AN INVESTMENT ADVICE AND ARE NOT WARRANTED TO BE COMPLETE, TIMELY, ACCURATE OR SUITABLE FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THEIR USE IS SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS AVAILABLE AT HTTPS://WWW.SUSTAINALYTICS.COM/LEGAL-DISCLAIMERS.
2 DISCLAIMER STATEMENT THE USE BY DMGT OF ANY MSCI ESG RESEARCH LLC OR ITS AFFILIATES (“MSCI”) DATA, AND THE USE OF MSCI LOGOS, TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS OR INDEX NAMES HEREIN, DO NOT CONSTITUTE A SPONSORSHIP, ENDORSEMENT, RECOMMENDATION, OR PROMOTION OF DMGT BY MSCI. MSCI SERVICES AND DATA ARE THE PROPERTY OF MSCI OR ITS INFORMATION PROVIDERS, AND ARE PROVIDED ‘AS-IS’ AND WITHOUT WARRANTY. MSCI NAMES AND LOGOS ARE TRADEMARKS OR SERVICE MARKS OF MSCI. Alfred and Harold Harmsworth 5 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Environmental Performance
DMGT is headquartered at Northcliffe House, High Street Kensington, London 6 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Environmental Carbon Footprint
At DMGT we evaluate and manage our The footprint is developed in accordance with impact by measuring and reporting on the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a Reporting Standards, and the methodology minimum, our operating companies comply is also in line with HMG Environmental with current regulations that apply to them Reporting Guidelines. Emission factors and are prepared for future legislation. used are predominately sourced from However, we expect our operating companies to further mitigate against BEIS conversion factors 2020. Other data the negative impact from their activities sources are used for the emission factors wherever possible. for the electricity consumed in non-UK operations. This report is in alignment with Methodology the requirements of the Streamlined Energy DMGT is committed to comprehensive and & Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulation for UK transparent reporting of our environmental businesses. performance. Our baseline year for carbon emissions is FY 2015 and we use an For the purpose of this report, the Scope 1, operational control consolidation approach. 2 and 3 emission sources included in our The data supporting our carbon footprint footprint were: is collated and independently reviewed by environmental consultancy ICF International. • Scope 1 (direct emissions): combustion of natural gas for heating purposes, use of diesel and gasoline in our fleet. • Scope 2 (indirect emissions): production of electricity imported from the grid and consumed by DMGT globally. • Scope 3 (other indirect emissions): outsourced delivery of newspapers, as well as taxis, rail and air travel for business purposes.
7 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Environmental Carbon Footprint
Footprint Results FY 2020 FY 2019 FY 2018 Our FY 2020 carbon footprint totalled 17,000 Gross GHG emissions tCO2e (2019 21,900). Emissions from UK (in tCO2e) operations corresponded to 74% of it and Global, incl. UK UK only Global, incl. UK UK only Global, incl. UK UK only amounted to 12,500 tCO2e (2019 15,300). Scope 1 1,000 900 1,400 1,200 1,300 1,200 The table shows our carbon footprint for FY 2020, by scope, as well as our energy use. Scope 2 8,300 5,000 10,500 6,300 11,700 7,000 For the purposes of comparability, the FY 2018 and FY 2019 figures have been restated Scope 3 7,700 6,600 10,000 7,800 11,500 8,600 to be consistent with the businesses in the portfolio during FY 2020. Scope 1 + 2 + 3 17,000 12,500 21,900 15,300 24,500 16,800
FY 2020 FY 2019 FY 2018 Energy Consumption (in kWh) Global, incl. UK UK only Global, incl. UK UK only Global, incl. UK UK only
Scope 1 5,400 4,400 7,300 6,400 6,800 6,000
Scope 2 28,800 21,400 33,200 24,600 33,300 24,800
Scope 1 + 2 34,200 25,800 40,500 31,000 40,100 30,800
FY 2020 FY 2019 FY 2018 GHG emissions intensity (tCO2e/£m) Global, incl. UK UK only Global, incl. UK UK only Global, incl. UK UK only
Scope 1 + 2 7.7 4.9 8.4 5.4 9.1 5.7
Scope 1 + 2 + 3 14.0 10.3 15.5 10.8 17.2 11.8
8 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Environmental Carbon Footprint
Comparison of historical emissions Energy management practices We strive to reduce our impact on the At DMGT, we have actively reduced our environment wherever possible and DMGT energy consumption across our offices and has succeeded in this by reducing our printing facilities through implementing gross GHG emissions by 22% and our GHG operational efficiency enhancements and emissions intensity by 10% in comparison to building modifications as recommended by FY 2019. ICF. Some of the initiatives undertaken, which have helped us reduce our impact on the These reductions can largely be attributed to environment and our carbon footprint during our energy management practices and to the FY 2020, include: impact of Covid-19 on our operations in FY 2020. The reduced use of office spaces • Solar panels installed by Landmark in in the past months or the termination of previous years continue to contribute tenancy contracts has affected Scopes 1 and to the generation of renewable energy, 2, and disruption of travel has reduced Scope replacing electricity that would 3 emissions. otherwise be purchased from the grid. • We relocated parts of the RMS datacentre and related IT equipment to a colocation centre last year, reducing the demand of electricity for cooling and for the equipment. • We have been gradually upgrading the lighting systems by replacing conventional light bulbs with LEDs and installing sensors and building management systems in our head office and printing sites.
9 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Harmsworth Quays Printing Thurrock
Within our portfolio of companies, dmg minimise cooling energy costs. Domestic been optimised to use the cold outside air media is the only manufacturing business, water heating and office cooling is via energy to cool the building inside, but still maintain and therefore makes up the vast majority efficient heat recovery systems (air source heat a constant room temperature. Free cooling of our environmental impact. The following pumps) which re-use excess heat in the press negates the need to run the chillers, which are data refers to the impact from the printing room. Gas use for space heating is minimised high consumers of electrical energy. Any time plants in our Consumer Media business. by warm air recycling algorithms utilising the outside air temperature is lower than the excess heat generated from the printing press. temperature needed in the building the BMS Water usage uses the cold outside air first. Water usage is directly related to the number dmg media takes part in the Climate Change of plates produced and hence pagination. dmg Levy (CCL) program, and supply our annual During the winter months from November to media has continued to reduce water usage energy usage against output to the scheme March we participate in the Triad program. at its existing printing plants; a trend that is as part of this process. This program requires We have the benefit of onsite generation likely to continue. dmg media’s water usage is us to be more energy efficient year-on-year which gives us production security should the currently 20 cubic metres per 24 hour period; and results in a discount on our power mains power fail. The generators have to be 5,900 cubic metres per annum (7,300 in charges. We actively seek to reduce energy run regularly to maintain their reliability. In FY 2019). consumption by investing in replacement the winter months we run the generators on plant that is more environmentally friendly, demand to the Triad program. This gives us Waste water from the platemaking process such as replacement LED lighting. an annual saving on our power bill and still is recycled for re-use. Approximately 90% of allows us to complete the statutory generator waste water produced each day is recycled We are also committed to reducing any running schedule. and re-used (85% in FY 2019). The quantity is harmful emissions where possible. Our VOC dependent on plate volumes. emissions are limited to Domino printer ink In recent years we have invested in the chemicals only when our printers are running. installation of LED lighting. Not only are Rainwater is also collected and, when The fumes are passed through a carbon these fittings more reliable, with a 5 year available, can be used to replenish the filtration unit. life, but they consume 33% less power. Our platemaking supply after filtration. We have a site power consumption is lower as a result. 100 cubic metre rainwater storage capacity. Temperature control is important within Approximately 66% of all site lighting is now the press hall for our Flexo printing process. LED and we are working to bring this closer Energy efficiency During the winter months the press still to 100%. Our Thurrock printing site recycles its waste generates heat when running and creates a process water with 90% efficiency (85% in cooling requirement. In the winter months FY 2019), harvests rainwater for use in the our Building Management System (BMS) process and has cooling algorithms designed uses free cooling algorithms to avoid the Printing process at into its Building Management System to use of chillers to create cool air. The BMS has Harmsworth Quays Printing, Thurrock
10 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Our printing processes
Waste and recycling initiatives Toxic chemicals used in the printing process The paper industry depends on, and Acquisition of three printing plants We seek to recycle waste materials wherever are minimal. No solvent-based cleaning promotes, sustainable forest management With Associated Printing Ltd’s acquisition possible. Printed and non-printed paper waste materials are in use for press cleaning. to provide a reliable supply of wood fibre, of three printing plants in October 2020, we was reduced by 15% to 2,437 tonnes this year Initiatives are in place to reduce reliance on the key raw material for its products. Well- anticipate that in FY 2021 the environmental (2,853 in FY 2019). Core waste was 313 tonnes biocides in ink, such as UV filtration of water managed forests bring multiple benefits efficiency of the above figures will decrease, (373 in 2019), and cardboard waste was 396 for ink make-up. Our printing press site is for society, such as livelihoods, ecosystem and our absolute scope 1 Carbon Footprint tonnes (578 in FY 2019). All of this was sent for constantly working with ink suppliers to reduce services and biodiversity. European forests, may increase. As the assets are integrated, recycling. In addition, 20 tonnes each of scrap use of biocides. Similarly, our waste process from where the region’s paper mills source work will be undertaken to ensure the impact metal and timber was also segregated for water plant is constantly being upgraded to over 90% of their wood fibre, have been is minimised, in line with our existing printing recycling (20 each in FY 2019). increase efficiency. 90% of water used in the increasing by an area equivalent to 1,500 operations. printing process is currently recovered (85% football pitches every day. Over 70% of Approximately 1,000 cubic metres of water in FY 2019). Only biodegradable substances this forest area is certified to FSC or PEFC borne printing ink waste and 700 cubic are used for cleaning domestic waste systems standards, thanks in part to the support of the metres of water borne polymer solids is due to our on-site package treatment plant. print and paper industry. produced annually by dmg media. This is A de-ionised water plant is used to improve processed at a chemical treatment plant waste-water recovery rates. prior to disposal. Domestic waste-water is also sent to a treatment plant and has no Sourcing sustainable paper connection to main drains. We have been dmg media takes a collaborative approach to systematically reducing our specialist waste tackling environmental issues that relate to streams, through improvements in the printing. As industry experts, we have talent recycling process. Our waste from this stream who work alongside other industry peers via was reduced by 5% in FY 2020. All our waste the Newspaper Industry Materials Committee streams are fully traceable. to maintain a co-ordinated approach to environmental campaigns and questions. General non-recyclable waste from dmg We’ve supported the publication of various media is approximately 100 tonnes per studies including fact and myth-busting annum. This includes 60 tonnes per annum of publications about the true impact of print non-recyclable solid polymer waste. However, and paper, as well as how virgin fibres from this is sorted and recycled where possible by sustainably managed forests are needed to waste contractor Ahern. maintain the paper cycle.
Printing process at Harmsworth Quays Printing, Thurrock 11 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Environmental Impact Our other businesses
Our products
RMS – Risk Modelling Landmark – Risk Horizon RMS Risk Intelligence provides risk modelling This year Landmark Information Group software applications built for multiple users launched its new Environmental, Social and to help them gain insights into potential Governance (ESG) management platform hazards, exposures, and accumulations. - RiskHorizon - focused on delivering rich, Users can access RMS’s probabilistic models comprehensive assessments to a broad and view risk aggregation across their global audience of investors, property asset owners portfolio to help manage and mitigate risk. and managers, from private equity and investment houses to corporates and their Amongst the many other risks identified by lawyers. The platform provides thorough their software, RMS risk modelling assesses and actionable global ESG due diligence of the risk to an organisation caused by climate their corporate investments and acquisitions. change. For more than 15 years, RMS has Following the acquisition of the RiskHorizon worked with partners and stakeholders to platform from Anthesis Group, Landmark understand how climate change affects has now developed a fresh proposition: perils and regions around the globe and to a self-service software platform with an progress toward solutions to quantify the intuitive toolkit to screen, score and manage risk. By understanding the impact and the investment performance. cost of physical risk from climate change, stakeholders in insurance and financial Read more about RiskHorizon here. markets, government, homeowners, and the risk community can take steps to understand, manage, and mitigate this growing risk. By demystifying the risks of climate change, RMS is committed to helping organisations of every type factor climate change into their strategic outlook. 12 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Climate-related risks and opportunities
DMGT recognises that climate change 2. RMS’s history has shown that ‘models presents risks and opportunities for our make markets’ in that they enable an businesses and our customers across the insurer to understand and quantify the Group. We have undertaken an analysis risk enough to be able to offer cover. This across each business to identify these. effectively helps to reduce uninsured Risks Risks losses or the ‘protection gap’. RMS’s 1. There are no obvious adverse effects on 1. An increased focus on climate change models are likely to help enable the the RMS business from climate change and ESG could attract large potential development of climate change hedging other than the increased likelihood of competitors to enter the environmental instruments and cost benefit analysis of business interruption from acute events part of the property information market. climate adaptation, which will help close such as storms and floods affecting climate-related protection gaps. offices. Opportunities 3. On-premise datacentres that are hosted 1. By increasing the cost of physical Opportunities by the customer have to have capacity to damage to properties from extreme 1. RMS helps insurers and re-insurers cater for peak loads, and consequently weather events, there is likely to be understand their exposure and potential significant amounts of server capacity increased demand for data and analytics exposure. Climate change is likely are sitting idle for significant amounts that helps property owners understand to result in an increase in both the of time. Cloud-based solutions offer their exposure. an elastic environment where there is frequency and severity of extreme 2. It is also likely to increase demand much less redundant capacity and usage weather events. RMS can help clients for new products that Landmark is can be optimised. As customers aim to better understand the likely impact of developing. For example, analysis of reduce their carbon footprint, they are those changes. Consequently, climate the impact of increased flood risk on likely to accelerate the move away from change is likely to drive an increase in lenders’ portfolios. customer demand for RMS’s models and on-premise and towards cloud-based analytical solutions over time. solutions, which should help drive the 3. The UK government and large shift to RMS’s Risk Intelligence platform. organisations may require risk reporting on ESG, which could develop into a new market for Landmark.
13 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Climate-related risks and opportunities
3. Climate change may drive increased 7. Potentially, changing weather patterns 4. Given the concerns about climate use of virtual conferences. Technology could result in reduced ‘windows’ in change will be across multiple sectors, is currently considered a supplement the calendar for when conditions are there are likely to be opportunities to rather than a replacement for physical favourable for an event. For example, replicate some content across events. Risks events, but that could change. dmg to avoid extreme heat or the hurricane 5. In the long term, if there are 1. Exhibitor and delegate concerns about events could develop more virtual season. This could result in an increase technological advances to reduce the the environmental impact of travelling events, for smaller exhibitions, but these in the cost of hiring venues. environmental impact of travelling to exhibitions could potentially result would be expected to generate less Opportunities and these also result in faster travel, in reduced attendance levels. However, revenues than physical exhibitions. 1. Within each sector or industry, there then attendance at major international physical exhibitions bring suppliers 4. Energy exhibitions that are focused on will be opportunities to provide exhibitions may increase as they become and customers together from multiple oil and gas are likely to become less additional content at events. Climate easier to reach. locations, enabling a series of face-to- relevant and significant if they do not change creates an additional reason face meetings that would otherwise evolve. for each industry to come together and require more travel. Consequently, consider the changing landscape. This physical exhibitions can be considered 5. In the long term, environmental is particularly relevant for the energy an effective method of reducing concerns may drive reduced birth rates sector but also the construction sector. environmental impact relative to and, ultimately, less demand for the In February 2021, DMGT reached agreements Generally speaking, a relatively gradual suppliers flying to visit their customers construction of new buildings, which to sell Hobsons and consequently the future major change in an industry is helpful for separately. Environmental concerns could be detrimental to the construction risks and opportunities are not included in events as it drives content. could potentially result in reduced sector. This is considered to be a lower this report. revenues from exhibitors. Also, there risk in Africa where population growth is 2. In the oil and gas sector, there are is a potential reputational risk for the expected to continue as environmental specific opportunities in the short-term exhibition industry as a whole if large concerns are offset by improving as the industry pivots away from oil and exhibitions are considered to have a healthcare. gas. For example, increased interest in major negative environmental impact, 6. Extreme weather events could disrupt liquefied natural gas in the short-term rather than an effective way of suppliers exhibitions and shows, or require their and renewables in the longer term. reducing their total travel. cancellation. The risk from extreme In particular, major oil companies, including national oil companies, will 2. Exhibitors may become concerned weather events is considered much be investing significant amounts in the about the reputational risk of building more significant for DMGT’s Events & change. temporary stands for single use at an Exhibitions business than the long-term event. chronic risk from rising sea levels and 3. Similarly, there will be opportunities to temperatures. launch new events that are relevant to nascent markets – for example, as forms of renewable energy evolve. 14 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Climate-related risks and opportunities
Risks 1. There is a risk that public opinion will change and it will become socially unacceptable to read physical newspapers due to the carbon footprint from their production and distribution. This could potentially result in a significant reduction in revenues for the Mail, ‘i’ and Metro newspapers. 2. Similarly, future UK government intervention, whether through taxation or other means, may result in the production and/or distribution of newspapers becoming significantly more expensive or not viable in certain regions.
Opportunities 1. A change in readers’ attitudes to print newspapers could accelerate the migration to digital versions of the newspapers’ content. If the audience can be monetised effectively, this could potentially drive higher profits over time given the minimal marginal cost of additional readers of the digital products.
15 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Environmental initiatives at our operating companies
We have various company-generated Great British September Clean Mail newspapers Small Steps, Big Impact initiatives to protect and restore the The annual litter-picking campaign, run by In February 2018, the Daily Mail stopped Mail Metro Media launched the branded environment. Below are just some examples Keep Britain Tidy and backed by the Daily using polythene bags for Weekend Magazine. podcast ‘Small Steps, Big Impact’ in from across our businesses. Mail, inspires people to take to the streets, This reduced our usage by eight tonnes of association with Dove, which proved popular beaches and parks for over two weeks each polythene per week on average. In April on the iTunes chart. September. The litter pick was postponed in 2020, The Mail on Sunday also stopped using 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. polythene bags, saving an extra four tonnes of The podcast debuted at no.30 on Friday 4 polythene per week. September 2020 before climbing to no.19 and The drive received high praise from Prime amassing more than 750 reviews in just a few Daily Mail Minister Boris Johnson, who urged Britons to The Green Report days. The six-part series, hosted by lifestyle The Daily Mail launched a campaign urging “roll up their sleeves” and join in. Volunteers Published in July 2020, The Green Report, blogger Zanna Van Dijk, aims to inspire readers to plant up to a million trees across around the UK took part in litter picks, either produced by dmg media’s advertising listeners to start taking simple, manageable the UK in December 2019, named ‘Be a Tree individually or in small groups. They included division, studies the thoughts and attitudes steps towards living a more sustainable Angel’. Readers were asked to help make young children, top athletes and employees of the Mail Metro Media audience towards lifestyle. Teaming up with the dmg ventures- Britain greener by becoming a “Tree Angel” at picking up rubbish during lunch breaks. environmental issues. It delves deep to invested podcast platform, Entale and Christmas. A range of activities to support the uncover attitudes, actions and barriers Mindshare UK, our advertising arm developed campaign included expert editorial advice on towards being eco-friendly in five different the podcast to promote Dove’s sustainability how to plant and grow trees to make Britain sectors: Food and Drink, Fashion, Beauty, efforts. greener, local tree-planting initiatives and Motors and Holidays. donations to fund planting projects. dmg media Ireland The report demonstrated that readers are As part of its commitment to sustainability, Readers were offered vouchers to pick up a keen to become more eco-friendly and also dmg media Ireland has ensured that the free tree to plant in their garden, and those engage with eco-friendly content. supply chain of newspapers has become who had nowhere to plant a tree pledged more efficient in reducing carbon footprint, money to fund tree-planting. by diverting newsprint away from landfill. More than 95% of any unsold copies of More than 30,000 readers ordered a tree from our newspapers are recycled. We work the newspaper to plant and the campaign with printers, distributors, retailers and raised enough funding to plant trees in more Newsbrands Ireland to maintain the highest than 6,000 schools, massively exceeding its of standards. target of 1,000. Nearly £2m was donated from organisations, companies and businessmen Laptops from all our UK companies are including Network Rail, Lloyds Bank, recycled through Socialbox.biz, in partnership Sainsbury’s and Lord Sugar. with Age UK.
16 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Environmental initiatives at our operating companies
visit Bogotá, but was postponed due to the • Landmark has been an active member Trepp’s University team has established Covid-19 pandemic. of the Know Your Flood Risk campaign to a series of Community Calls, which bring promote flooding risks across the UK. cutting edge and innovative research from RMS is also a core partner of the Rockefeller • Landmark has implemented a detailed the Academy to commercial real estate Foundation’s Global Resilient Cities Network. professionals. In 2020, the Community Calls RMS – Risk Modelling Corporate Responsibility policy to As a commitment to the home of their included a three part series on ESG, including Each year RMS holds an Impact Trek, where outline how they propose to meet the headquarters – the Bay Area – RMS is partnering performance analysis of Green building loans, both RMS employees and their clients work challenges of sustainable development. with San Francisco and Berkeley to quantify the a presentation from GRESB, and a discussion together with the social enterprise Build Change economic risk of sea level rise and seismic risk. • Introducing E-billing for customers has of environmental risk affecting commercial in some of the world’s most catastrophe- reduced paper usage by c. 17,000 sheets real estate (which included RMS on the panel). prone areas. Build Change is an organisation per month. dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and Trepp’s research and media outreach, economic losses caused by housing and school particularly its blog platform TreppTalk, collapses due to earthquakes and typhoons regularly includes discussions on the in emerging nations. Collaborating with Build In support of Landmark’s commitment to importance and implementation of ESG, ESG Change since late 2013, RMS provided an early the protection of the environment, including trends in real estate, and how to assess ESG. sponsorship in addition to joint research and prevention of pollution – Landmark has Trepp builds on its role as a thought leader in shared expertise for their preventive program taken steps to manage both its consumption commercial real estate finance through the Trepp employees have organised an annual activities in Latin America, and other vulnerable of environmental resources and generation establishment of an ESG Steering Committee, “work outfit clothing drive” for four years in countries around the world. The partnership of waste. Landmark’s integrated quality, chaired by key executives. The Steering a row since 2016, allowing them to donate in Latin America focused on promoting the information security and environmental Committee is responsible for coordinating gently-used work outfits to the charity benefits of retrofitting homes for low-income management system, details the company’s ESG initiatives across Trepp’s diverse product Coalition for the Homeless, who run a job families living in informal neighbourhoods in approach and framework for achieving line, building relationships with industry training programme called First Step. In 2019, Bogotá, Colombia. The partnership also helps compliance with the ISO 14001 Standard. groups, and identifying partners to provide Trepp employees collectively donated five contribute to larger scale initiatives with local Landmark is also certified with the ISO 9001 ESG insights into the otherwise opaque large bags of clothes. agencies and government bodies utilising the Quality Management Standard. Landmark commercial real estate and commercial credit latest technologies and socioeconomic data. is committed to satisfying the applicable markets. Trepp’s first product innovation As part of their Corporate Volunteer program, requirements and striving for continual in ESG was a cooperative venture with Trepp volunteers frequently visit Central In addition to their hands-on research, RMS improvement of the quality management its partner company RMS to create new Park to help them clean up the park and has made a multi-year $1 million donation to system. Environmental Risk Scores for commercial remove litter. Practical steps to protect the BuildChange, and has donated their model real estate properties in the US. Trepp and environment are also office-based, including results to help guide BuildChange’s work to • More than 99% of Landmark’s RMS continue to work on expanding the purchasing mugs for each employee to areas under-served and with the greatest environmental reports to customers are licensing and applicability of these Scores. replace the use of paper cups. impact. The 2020 Impact Trek sought to supplied online to save paper.
17 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Our People Our people have the chance to develop at DMGT, doing meaningful and interesting work.
We believe that talented, motivated people are the key to our success and we are committed to providing a working environment that allows people to reach their full potential.
We invest in our people, developing high-potential leaders at early stages in their careers. Our leadership programmes, run at the operating company level, are designed to equip talented people with stretching experiences to accelerate their development and realise their potential. Our ambition is to enable people to be the best they can be, to deliver today and build for tomorrow. Our people have the chance to develop at DMGT, doing meaningful and interesting work that will stretch them, taking advantage of all the opportunities that our diverse group of businesses can offer.
RMS Community Champion Awards winners at a ceremony to receive their award at New York Central Station 18 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Keeping our people informed
One of the challenges of a geographically We continue to enhance employee • Emerging Leaders events where Directors Some of the physical items listed were diverse organisation, with c.40 locations collaboration by adopting platforms such as meet employees at DMGT Centre and scheduled to take place during 2020 and have internationally, is ensuring that we can instant messaging, developing a Group-wide the operating companies who have been had to be postponed due to Covid-19. They effectively communicate with all of our microsite to share policies and information, identified as future leaders. will be rearranged as soon as it is possible and people. refining our internal newsletters, circulating a • Director visits to operating companies as safe to do so. daily email news bulletin and holding regular part of Board and Committee trips and ‘town hall’ meetings. that are in addition to this cadence. We use a range of indicators to assess and • Director attendance at DMGT events monitor cultural health and employee The DMGT Board actively engages with engagement across the Group. The Board employees in order to effectively such as RMS Exceedance, where they meet with employees and customers. also took steps to actively continue this understand their views and during Covid-19. Some examples include: interests. Examples of • Directors are invited to attend CR events engagement with such as the Community Champions • Monitoring the Salary Substitution Plan employees have Awards ceremonies. participation where c.99% of employees included, or are • Engagement surveys are carried out at eligible to participate took part. Some scheduled, are as operating company level, the results of employees participated at a higher follows: which are summarised and shared with contribution level. Others opted to • the Board through a regular report. participate even though they fell below the minimum salary threshold. • During the year, virtual Town Hall events were held throughout the Group. The • Considering and acting on Employee Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee Engagement Survey results. joined a DMGT Centre Town Hall • Reviewing Gender Pay Gap reporting. and employees were able to ask him questions and hear his views about • Monitoring DMGT SharePurchase+ a number of topics, including a Non- participation where c.10% of employees Executive Director’s view of DMGT’s eligible to participate do so, typical for response to Covid-19. Other Directorswill schemes such as this. be invited to attend future planned • Noting that employees donated £27,000 events. to Mail Force Charity, which was matched by DMGT. • Updates regarding DMGT businesses running employee engagement wellbeing initiatives. 19 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Developing our employees
DMGT holds a wealth of top leadership Mental Health talent and sector expertise at Group level dmg media has provided an array of mental and across its operating companies. Staff health workshops over the past two years, have access to a wide range of training and from helping with stress and anxiety to focus dmg events is at the forefront of face-to-face and sleep. We have also trained individuals development programmes and wellbeing communication, and has a strong employee dmg media offers a multitude of training within the organisation as Mental Health support, including courses such as: development programme and learning and development for its employees through First Aiders and communicated who these culture. LinkedIn Learning recently published • Coaching for managers, including the dmg media Academy. people are, so employees can see who they a commendatory case study on their efforts can speak to for support. Lastly, CIC, our performance management to drive learning and development, which can Management Training employee assistance programme, gives • Stakeholder management be found here. dmg media supports employees with access to a range of services, information, • Career development planning workshops on management; with some of advice and confidential support. The services dmg events have created ‘learning@dmg’, an our recent virtual sessions being transformed cover a broad spectrum from debt advice, to • Digital marketing essentials internal brand launched to promote learning, into one-to-one coaching providing a tailored therapy and family care. • Mindfulness and wellbeing workshops encouraging employees to learn new skills. It approach. Our Emerging Leaders Programme has three main pillars – Develop, Master and • Public speaking, presenting and supports our high potential individuals and Our workshops, and all the resources Grow. assertion workshops has been running since 2018. available to support employees, are regularly promoted to employees via various, • Technical skill training (Excel, Working with LinkedIn Learning, dmg events Career development measured communication channels. PowerPoint etc) has created a continuous development dmg media supports employees with programme with reliable content, professional workshops in career development, such as During FY 2020 these courses focused on qualifications and access to thought ‘build your career intelligence’ and ‘developing support programmes for employees whilst leadership/ influencers. dmg events’ targeted self-awareness’, both containing diagnostic working remotely. strategies include an annual learning calendar, tools for a bespoke experience. We also have monthly email campaigns and Summer Management Training a professional development request form that We also offer work experience, Challenges that inspire engagement. The majority of editors with people apprenticeships and professional employees fill out to request any specific needs management responsibilities have received development support to all our staff, they require to develop within their role. Our essential people management training, including external training and qualifications, HR self-service system facilitates performance including conducting one-to-ones, providing and the opportunity to apply for additional reviews and goal setting, supported by feedback and coaching. Meanwhile, all funding for these. workshops and additional resources. commercial managers across the business have participated in a leadership development event within the past 18 months.
20 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Developing our employees Case study
Designed to be an encouraging, engaging experience, the team worked to produce an event that would motivate the sales team Trepp University, Trepp’s internal training and and reconnect them with their values during Landmark nurtures and supports the professional and personal development of our people development function, was created to help difficult circumstances. in a number of ways; employees grow professionally. Beginning with new hire training, Trepp University offers The theme was “rowing together,” taking • Study support various courses and workshops to employees rowing as an example of the ultimate • Apprenticeship programmes over the course of their careers to help them teamwork sport, and defining success • Internal and external training and development excel at their job. through collaboration. To complement this, Hobsons invited Arshay Cooper, author of • Leadership development As a deep understanding of Trepp’s “A Most Beautiful Thing,” to be the keynote • Secondments products and the markets it serves is crucial speaker. The book tells the true story of • Career development planning and support to innovation and development, Trepp America’s first all-black high school rowing University provides employees direct access team and the challenges they faced. • Transparency through advertising all opportunities across our business areas to the necessary learning tools to succeed • A collaborative, challenging and friendly working environment in Trepp’s industry. In addition, Trepp has a Arshay’s book was sent out as part of a crew- rich educational assistance program to fund themed gift box to every member of Hobsons’ 2020 has provided Landmark with an opportunity to look at delivering learning in a employees for their specific educational needs. sales organisation. During his keynote different, more flexible way. The lessons learned are shaping future new programmes, speech, Arshay emphasised the importance including a new leadership programme to be delivered for 2021. Trepp provides employees with of teamwork as a rower, and encouraged reimbursement packages for career-related team members to connect through their courses, and offers paid volunteering vision for the schools and communities they opportunities through a number of were supporting. organisations and events. One attendee commented: “at the end of the week I didn’t just feel like a better sales rep – I felt like a better person.”
In October 2020, working at home full-time It was the highest-rated sales virtual kick-off in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Hobsons had hosted during the past four Hobsons hosted their annual sales kick-off years, and a positive example of virtually. Over 100 staff attended across galvanising employees despite difficult four days. circumstances.
21 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Our People Diversity and inclusion
Our Equal Opportunities Policy is designed and inclusive culture. Our Career Boards to comply with the Equality Act 2010 and ensure job opportunities are open to internal the Equality and Human Rights Commission candidates, with training and mentoring Employment Statutory Code of Practice, and offered to support promotions and to promote best practice. Managers must set internal mobility. an appropriate standard of behaviour, lead by example and ensure that those they manage United Kingdom: 3,061 Kingdom: United adhere to this policy. This policy applies to Case study all aspects of the employee relationship. All decisions must be based on merit. This includes but is not limited to: Diversity • recruitment and selection; workshop • opportunities for promotion; DMGT runs a number of training programmes • training and development; on equality, diversity and inclusion, as well • conditions of service; as providing tools and resources for hiring • pay and benefits; managers to assist them in ensuring an objective hiring process that attracts the best • conduct at work; and
1,412 talent regardless of background. This year • job adverts. we piloted diversity and inclusion training for USA: USA: managers and HR staff, led and facilitated by DMGT’s Human Resources Information an external provider. This training included System enables us to monitor the levels of unconscious bias, discrimination awareness, diversity in our business and also promote leadership and business roles. We partner with a number of external programmes 669 an inclusive culture. Diversity data including gender, ethnicity, race and disability is and take part in volunteering activities to
India: tracked across job levels and assessed against support diversity in media; one of our new a number of key areas, including recruitment programmes connects women from BAME 25 140 backgrounds in the media industry with 16 135 processes, attrition and promotions. We 2 18 regularly ask employees for their feedback experienced female mentors. 1 5 3 on diversity and inclusion, supported with United Arab Emirates: 175 Emirates: Arab United Australia: Australia: Ireland: Ireland: regular internal communications on a range Switzerland: Switzerland: South Africa: 23 South Africa: Canada: Singapore: Singapore: Saudi Arabia: 10 Saudi Arabia: Japan: Japan: China: Bermuda: Nigeria: Nigeria: of activities that promote a collaborative 22 Employees by country DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Our diversity initiatives Case study Brixton To date, the Mail newsrooms have employed nine Stephen Lawrence Scholars and continue Finishing School to recruit two or three annually. Previous intakes Stephen Lawrence Programme have included a journalist whose family fled the Brixton Finishing School is a national organisation which helps young people from mixed The Stephen Lawrence scholarship programme civil war in Somalia, a journalist from Manchester backgrounds establish themselves in the advertising industry, removing one of the main is connected to the Daily Mail’s general trainee whose first trip to London was for his interview barriers underprivileged individuals have: access to opportunities. The advertising arm of dmg scheme. However, it is specifically aimed at with us and is the first in his family to attend media, Mail Metro Media (MMM), has sponsored the programme for more than two years and candidates from Black, Asian and Minority university. Past Stephen Lawrence Scholars have members of the team also sit on the Brixton Finishing School Executive Advisory Board. Ethnic backgrounds, who are statistically been fast-tracked to senior positions on the Night underrepresented within the journalism industry. News and Foreign News desks. The programme offers individuals 10 weeks of paid learning, removing yet another barrier for budding advertising talent, where they are exposed to a curriculum that is built in As such, the Daily Mail tailors the training partnership with major names in the advertising industry, including MMM. according to the individual’s needs. Most of the trainees taken on hold either an NCTJ qualification or a master’s degree in journalism. The Stephen Lawrence scholarships are given to students who would not be able to afford ‘i’ formed its first diversity and inclusion working postgraduate journalism training. The Daily Mail group at the beginning of August 2020, including pays for them to attend either News Associates, representatives from management and different the top NCTJ training course in the country, sections of editorial and commercial teams. or City University on their highly-regarded In addition, a separate, smaller working group journalism master’s course. While they are there, has been formed to reboot our work experience the paper allocates them a living allowance, and scheme, to make sure it is more accessible to works with the Stephen Lawrence Foundation everyone. to arrange subsidised council accommodation built specifically for key inner-city workers. ‘i’ sends all job advertisements to a list of organisations to ensure they reach a wider range Once their education is completed, the Stephen of people, and all-white shortlists are banned for Lawrence Scholars join the general newsroom advertised jobs. Organisations the ‘i’ works with trainees for five months of training at the Daily include Creative Access, Disabled Access, and Mail. This consists of a month’s classroom We are Black Journos. training, followed by four months on one of our newsbrand’s titles such as The Scottish Following the acquisition of ‘i’ in 2019, the ‘i’ Daily Mail, Irish Daily Mail or even an associated complies with DMGT’s Equal Opportunities regional title. policy as part of its integration into the business. 23 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Our diversity initiatives
To further increase diversity, Landmark of valuing and operationalizing diversity of overhauled their recruitment processes. thought, for example, is that 51% of US-based Increased levels of direct recruitment employees, where RMS is headquartered and As a leading Property Technology business, activity mean that they are better able maintains several offices, represent non- the careers at Landmark Information Group to control the channels that are used to RMS’s core values are transparency, white minorities. see roles largely in the STEM (Science, attract candidates, broadening the pool accountability and empowerment across Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) of talent they can reach. The age diversity their worldwide employee base. It has RMS launched a matching funds donation fields of data and technology, areas that within the group ranges from 18-74 years. a variety of programmes in place to program in 2020, focused on matching traditionally see a lower representation Landmark supports a range of apprenticeship operationalise these values among all employee charitable donations to non-profits of females both across the sector and programmes from customer services and their employees at every level, and this is that are focused on solving the challenges within education. Landmark has sought to sales and accounting, to paralegal services important to maintaining healthy diversity. associated with racial injustice across a wide proactively increase female representation in and degree apprenticeships in technology RMS believe that innovation is driven first range of focus areas. recent years via a number of different routes. and leadership. These programmes have seen and foremost by diversity of thought, which Landmark attract younger colleagues at the is encouraged and rewarded throughout RMS CEO Karen White was a keynote speaker To support their aims of increasing start of their careers, along with progressing the company. Because diversity of at the Lloyds of London Annual Dive-In representation, Landmark’s Women in Tech female talent into the technology areas where thought is valued as core to the success of conference 2020, with 10,000 participants group enables existing female colleagues representation is lower. their business, RMS attract and maintain globally, where she focused on the issues to share their ideas and experiences for a very diverse employee base which of racial injustice. The provocative session improving accessibility to careers for both During 2020 Landmark have actively understands that at RMS, the best idea included an interview with Grammy Award existing and new colleagues. From gender supported their EU citizen colleagues where wins from whomever it comes, and that winning singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett neutral language within job adverts to they have wished to remain within the UK, scientific, technology and business model (and a performance of her song, Man in skills-based interviewing with mixed panels, championing the introduction of Settled breakthroughs require everyone’s diverse the Mirror recorded by Michael Jackson). Landmark have seen greater diversity in both Status ensuring that all were aware of the ideas to be surfaced and respected. RMS has Karen White was also awarded “Top CEOs applications and appointments. scheme and key timelines. developed a culture that values the difference for Women” in America in 2020, (Ranked over the sameness of ideas, and where talent #12) alongside Microsoft’s Satya Nadela, Increasing use of flexible working, particularly It is with some pride that Landmark’s highest is encouraged to bring their whole selves to Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and Marc Zuckerberg during the pandemic, has supported colleagues rated category in their regular engagement the workplace, to think out of the box even if at Facebook. She was also one of the few of all ages who have caring responsibilities, surveys is “People from all backgrounds are they are a lone voice, and to be confident that female leaders named among “Top 50 CEOs enabling them to remain focused on their treated fairly at Landmark.” their diverse voices will be valued. Employees in America” last year. careers without impairing their ability to care are expected to be transparent with their for loved ones. Landmark’s experiences of ideas and feedback, to be accountable for working flexibly during the pandemic have the their work as well as maintaining the culture, potential to support increased diversity when and are empowered to think differently the pandemic restrictions are lifted. while performing their roles. One outcome
24 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Our diversity initiatives
Hobsons launched a DEI (Diversity, Equality Multi-Cultural Employee Resource Group and Inclusion) Coalition, comprised of (MERG) current Hobsons employees. The mission The Trepp MERG is an employee-led group of this group is to transform the Hobsons committed to creating an open environment business model to include principles founded by expanding our mindset focusing on in equitable outcomes for marginalized diversity and inclusion. Trepp’s goal is to employees. The DEI Coalition sends out empower personal and professional growth a quarterly newsletter to all employees by providing educational resources for highlighting topics relevant to DEI, as well employees. as additional newsletters highlighting meaningful holidays/months (i.e. Black Trepp’s mission for the MERG is to foster History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, practices that drive more diverse and Women’s History Month, etc.) This year inclusive recruiting, retention, and Hobsons also launched several Employee professional development. Established as a Affinity Groups, including Black, Latinx, resource by employees and for employees, Women and LGBTQ+ Affinity Groups. the structure and operation are all directed by volunteers, with support from an elected Hobsons launched new internal hiring chairperson and an executive sponsor. practices to ensure that all employees have the same access and opportunities With nearly a third of the company’s for advancement and promotion. They employees participating, MERG is focused committed to announcing all available on four functional areas, each focusing on opportunities internally first and giving key initiatives for employees and overall preference to internal candidates for corporate culture. leadership and management roles. Hobsons gave a $10,000 donation to the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund in an effort to donate towards the efforts to support racial and social justice.
25 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Gender breakdown of our employees
Below sets out the gender breakdown of our employees. Our aim is to promote equality and diversity in accordance with our Group Code of Conduct and Diversity Policy. DMGT as an employer believes in ‘Equal pay for equal work’...”
Gender pay gap reporting DMGT’s UK-based operating companies, Landmark Information Group Limited and Operating company CEOs, and Associated Newspapers Limited, are required Board Directors direct reports to the Group CEO* † All employees* to report on their Gender Pay Gap. Due to Male: 10 (83%) | Female: 2 (17%) Male: 4 (44%) | Female: 5 (56%) Male: 3,353 (59%) | Female: 2,341 (41%) Covid-19, the government took the decision to suspend reporting deadlines for 2019/2020; *Excluding Board Directors. † In accordance with section 414C of the Companies Act 2006 this is how DMGT reports senior managers. however, both companies have published data for this year. DMGT as an employer believes in ‘Equal pay for equal work,’ is committed to equal pay and conducts of direct reports to the DMGT CEO are ongoing reviews to ensure we have the best 56% possible processes in place.
26 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Supporting our employees during Covid-19
DMGT moved to a remote working model Health and safety seamlessly. Extensive guidance and support The responsibility for day-to-day health was provided on working well remotely, and safety matters is devolved to the Chief along with toolkits, virtual podcasts and The safety of our Executive or Managing Director of each advice services for physical and mental operating company. They, in turn, rely health and wellbeing. As we considered the employees is key...” on support from a number of dedicated transition back to the office, great emphasis health and safety advisers and/or external was placed on how the businesses could consultants for the practical implementation be more flexible and different models for of policy. Our Group-wide health and safety working considered. Case study policy applies to all employees. Health and safety items are regularly on the agendas DMGT’s ‘Return to the office’ plan was Salary of our leadership team meetings, and are developed with guidance from both medical discussed at Executive level annually. and legal experts, with government advice at Substitution the forefront of all decisions. As journalism was For our Events business and operating designated as an essential service, dmg media companies which organise exhibitions or was the first business to have a small number Plan events, DMGT recommends that they follow of employees return to the office. The plans to Alongside the flexible working and wellbeing the recommendations and standards set out in facilitate this included adjusting office spaces support provided, DMGT introduced a Salary the G-Guide. G-Guide - available to download. to adhere to social distancing guidelines, new Substitution Plan across DMGT Centre, dmg seating plans, PPE and temperature checks for media and Landmark. This innovative scheme Human rights staff entering the office and enhanced cleaning enabled us to avoid using government grants DMGT believes that our exposure to the schedules. In addition a comprehensive testing and ‘furlough’ schemes. Under the scheme, associated risks in the context of human programme was established and continues. staff and Directors above a minimum salary rights frameworks is minimal. DMGT does not The safety of our employees is key, which is exchanged a percentage of their salary for have a specific human rights policy but has a why they were all required to complete a risk the purchase of shares equal in value for a number of policies that cover areas such as assessment questionnaire prior to returning period of three months. This scheme was well health and safety, modern slavery, bribery to work. Beyond the office, every precaution received and appreciated by staff, with over and corruption. In addition, new suppliers are was taken to protect our frontline staff whilst 99% of those eligible participating. evaluated with a questionnaire to ensure they continuing to keep our printing process fully are ethical and lawful. Each of our businesses operational, with the introduction of Covid is committed to complying with our policies. testing and the adjustment to safe working practices in line with government guidelines.
27 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Our Social Impact
Through a range of local partnerships within the communities our operating companies serve, and Group-wide programmes such as our Corporate Responsibility (CR) Champions network, DMGT supports and encourages purpose within our community. We believe that supporting our operating companies’ local communities is particularly important as it allows our employees to choose a cause close to their heart. This is actioned by the CR Champions network which has volunteers from across the operating companies.
Total Charitable donations
2017 | £0.8 million
2018 | £1.0 million
2019 | £1.2 million
2020 | £1.6 million
DMGT Community Champions Awards Night 28 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
FY 2020 Our community engagement
Examples of our Group-wide community initiatives can be found below. Read on to find out more about how we supported our local communities during the Covid-19 • Hosting engineering panels in schools to outbreak. give career advice to young people. • Connected with a centre in New York City that helps sexually abused children with recovery. Over Christmas, Trepp employees held a toy drive and donated gifts, and visited the centre to help wrap them. • Connected with a homeless shelter in Hoboken, New Jersey. There are two • A Committee has been established to helping hands days each year, where promote community engagement. employees have been involved with painting the shelter, offering career advice and helping with meal preparation. • Raising funds for Red Cross and the Australian wildfires through innovative • At the End of Year office awards, team activities. employees filled 400 bags for students • Supporting the Ronald McDonald living in foster care. These included housing association, which provides stuffed toys and books and were given to affordable housing for new buyers in people in the Washington DC metro area. New York City, by donating aluminium • Hobsons put on a Christmas party for from drinking cans for recycling. an underprivileged school in Cincinnati, Ohio, which included a gift for every student. • Employees volunteered to help build solar-panelled cars with the children at the Cincinnati school. • Employees were encouraged to give blood at mobile blood points. RMS helping with meal preparation
29 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
FY 2020 Our community engagement
• Orbis is DMGT’s partner charity, which works to provide care and education to In September 2020, DMGT began a DMGT supports Greenhouse Sports, a London prevent avoidable blindness. Various partnership with Urban Synergy. Established based charity that uses sport to engage fundraising activities across the year 13 years ago, Urban Synergy is an award young people and improve their life chances. including sponsored walks, a dance-a- winning early intervention mentoring charity, Placing full-time coaches into schools enables thon and office hampers. helping hundreds of disadvantaged young Greenhouse Sports to develop children’s • Donated presents at Christmas to the people from a wide range backgrounds Social, Thinking, Emotional and Physical Kensington and Chelsea Foundation, between 10-18 years of age to reach their (STEP) skills as well as inspires young people which supports deprived areas and full potential through outcome focused to fulfil their true potential. combats poverty in Kensington and mentoring programmes, inspirational Chelsea. £30,000 a year is also given to seminars and work experience. DMGT is the proud sponsor of the this organisation, which splits the money Westminster Academy on the Harrow Road, between three different charities. DMGT is supporting Urban Synergy through where we have been funding the placement • Our Community Champion Awards donations over three years. These will fund a of fulltime coach Vidal for just over a year. recognise the charity work that DMGT Covid-19 Emergency Response e-mentoring Despite only having been at the school for just employees are involved with, both inside project, and help to establish an ongoing over a year Vidal has already generated some and outside of work. The first prize is programme in Kensington and Chelsea. The great progress with the pupils; Greenhouse a £5,000 donation to the charity that e-mentoring project is designed to connect Sports children at Westminster Academy individual has supported and there is a with disadvantaged Year 11 to 13 children attended on average five more days of £2,500 runners up donation. The 2020 and support parents directly affected school than their peers. This strengthens the event was postponed due to Covid-19. by the Covid-19 pandemic school exam students’ academic, social and emotional cancellations. DMGT will also be represented skills. We look forward to continuing our on the charity’s corporate advisory board, partnership with Greenhouse Sports and to helping to oversee this new project. helping the pupils at Westminster Academy.
Urban Synergy will also be offering DMGT employees opportunities to mentor and coach the young people in its programmes and also, if desired, offer assistance to broaden the pipeline of candidates for roles at DMGT’s businesses. 30 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
FY 2020 Our community engagement
vital Irish charity. This ensures that the Marie Keating Foundation can raise awareness and inform readers on ways to help. Metro.co.uk Lifeline The ‘i’ partners with the Social Mobility Despite Covid restrictions for much of the In June 2020, Metro.co.uk teamed up with EVOKE has partnered with Plan International Foundation’s e-mentoring scheme and year, Landmark employees continued to The Hygiene Bank as part of a brand new since 2018, through a common interest in encourages ‘i’ staff to take part. This involves demonstrate their generosity via a number charity fundraising campaign, to raise funds advancing children’s rights and equality for mentoring sixth form or undergraduate of fundraising initiatives, supporting and awareness for those affected by hygiene girls. Together, they are passionate about students, mostly by email, and offering advice organisations close to their hearts. Thousands poverty. To raise vital funds, Metro.co.uk paving a pathway towards education for and support on their studies and future of miles were walked across the nation to raise Lifeline encouraged readers to lace up their disadvantaged children. career goals. Most of the students are the first funds for a diverse range of organisations, walking boots and join them on a sponsored in their family to go to university. The ‘i’ also including MIND, Pancreatic Cancer Research, 26-mile hike across London. RollerCoaster.ie has partnered with the expect to welcome the mentees to the office Save the Children, CRY & MacMillan Cancer. National Maternity Hospital (NMH) and the for a few days in 2021, provided Covid-19 Colleagues at Millar & Bryce completed a 54 trekkers made up of Metro.co.uk NMH Foundation with a goal and vision to guidance permits this. 500 mile walk to support the Glasgow Renal colleagues and readers, charity supporters provide educational content for parents Unit, who successfully completed a kidney and celebrities took part in the hike on and parents-to-be. RollerCoaster.ie uses transplant for a Landmark colleague during Saturday 19 September – to tie in with its platform as a tool to create resources to the first lockdown. National Hygiene Week. The appeal raised inform, educate and support women on their more than £52,000, which will help healthcare journey. dmg media Ireland sits on For several years, dmg events have supported Employees also supported those who were The Hygiene Bank continue to the board of the National Maternity Hospital the Livingstone Tanzania Trust, a charity shielding during lockdown and volunteered to do great work, raise awareness Foundation in our role as Brand Partner. dedicated to tackling poverty, improving support the NHS following the national call. and grow their charity. education and providing livelihoods programmes across Tanzania. Money is raised As Landmark were unable to hold their each year through bake sales, book sales and traditional Christmas festivities and collections office challenges and activities. to support local foodbanks, financial donations were made to the Trussell Trust within the UK and Cross Care in the Republic The Irish Daily Mail has been supporting of Ireland. events and campaigns run by the Marie Keating Foundation since 2015, by offering complementary advertorials and advertisements to highlight breast cancer awareness and the ongoing work of such a
31 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Covid-19 Our response
contributed an incredible £2.5 million and These figures include almost 15 million items many of them enclosed moving letters, with of PPE donated to 16 different charities, their cheques, about why they had donated. including Mencap, Sue Ryder, the Salvation Employees also contributed generously, Army, Leonard Cheshire and Marie Curie. We donating £27,000 which was matched also funded £1 million of Covid-19 testing by DMGT. equipment, including resources for Great Mail Force Charity CIO Ormond Street Hospital and Alder Hey DMGT has always played an active role in The Charity were able to provide a total hospital. Our donations reached charities the communities in which we work. We take of approximately 40 million items of PPE, across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland our role in society seriously and recognise including approximately 21 million masks, 19 and Wales. our responsibilities and abilities. This is why, million aprons and 500,000 face shields to the when the dangerous shortages of PPE for the NHS, our partner charities, many care homes NHS became apparent, we decided to act. and various charitable organisations.
We partnered with Salesforce to put together a team from across the business and set up a charity in record time to source additional PPE. Salesforce already had experience in procuring and shipping PPE for US hospitals. In April 2020, Mail Force Charity CIO was The website ‘DMGT Cares’ was launched founded. to provide a hub of practical ways that volunteers within our businesses could help The initial donations from DMGT, Salesforce the communities in which DMGT works. It and DMGT’s Chairman kick-started a included information about volunteering campaign which enabled Mail Force Charity opportunities, fundraising, our charity to airlift 20 tonnes of PPE from China as its partners, match funding employee donations first contribution. We worked directly with and news updates on how colleagues were the central NHS distribution team in Daventry helping others. to deliver the PPE to the hospitals and care homes where it was most needed.
Contributions from philanthropists, foundations and Daily Mail readers reached over £11 million. Over 55,000 readers Mail Force donations
32 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Supporting our Communities during Covid-19 across our businesses
Project Wingman After witnessing the impact of the Covid-19 Following the announcement of the first £3m advertising dmg media played a part in keeping UK pandemic on the country, dmg media Ireland nationwide lockdown, dmg media recognised healthcare workers informed throughout the launched two major corporate initiatives the small and medium enterprise (SME) support package to Covid-19 pandemic. Project Wingman, an aimed at helping two of the most impacted sector was in a difficult situation. Following initiative launched nationwide by grounded sectors: retail and entertainment. in the footsteps of dmg media Ireland’s ‘Shop give 1,000 SME’s free airline crew to give NHS staff first-class- Ireland’ campaign, dmg media’s advertising advertising.” lounge experiences in hospitals, joined forces • Shop Ireland: A €1m advertising fund arm, Mail Metro Media, created a £3m with dmg media and Gold Key Media, an for small businesses hit by the fall- advertising support package to give 1,000 were individually account managed and audience engagement agency, to supply daily out from the Covid-19 pandemic was SME’s free advertising. They partnered with guided through the process of setting up their complimentary newspapers and magazines launched. Backed by IBEC’s Small Firms the Federation of Small Business (FSB) and in campaign. The package of support lasted directly to NHS hospitals. Association (SFA), the fund provided 200 mid-May 2020, launched the scheme using all almost 6 months in total. small businesses with an advertising of our publications along with the extensive dmg media donated thousands of copies of package worth €5,000 each, free. The membership of the FSB. Mail Metro Media’s the ‘i’ newspaper to 54 NHS hospitals every free advertising reached over 500,000 CHECK IN Special Edition day. Meanwhile, copies of the Daily Mail potential customers for each advertiser. Ahead of the launch, the Daily Mail, The travel industry has been impacted hard were supplied to London sites, including • Extra Sessions: dmg media Ireland The Mail on Sunday, Metro, This is Money, by the pandemic. Mail Metro Media’s (MMM’s) Guy’s Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital recognised the impact of the pandemic Metro.co.uk and MailOnline ran an array of travel team created CHECK IN Special Edition, daily from April to July 2020. With dmg on musicians and those working in the content, backing both the SME sector and the a fortnightly 12-page commercial supplement media’s support, Gold Key Media and Project entertainment industry being unable scheme itself. It also made front page news found in the Daily Mail, Mail+ and on Wingman established media-filled lounges in to perform and earn. Under the Extra.ie for Metro, as the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, MailOnline. The eight inspiring supplements six London hospitals initially, within days of brand, they launched Extra Sessions, a offered his appreciation for the scheme were introduced to support advertising launch. Separate to Project Wingman, dmg series of gigs available to watch online recognising how beneficial it would be. partners, driving positive sentiment about media also donated 500 copies of the Daily taking place at venues nationwide. their brands while keeping holidays front Mail every day throughout June and July to Within hours of the scheme going live, of mind for travel-loving readers during the patients at the Royal Liverpool University applications had surpassed 2,000 SMEs. Covid-19 crisis, when many businesses were Hospital. The fund was increased from £3m to £5m, experiencing a particularly challenging period. supporting an additional 600 businesses. Winners were selected from across the In all, the supplements supported more than UK, with representation across all regions 200 clients and tourist boards, with MMM including a strong presence from Northern receiving positive testimonials from clients, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The SME winners tourism boards and trade partners. 33 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Supporting our Communities during Covid-19 across our businesses
Case study Lily’s Rainbows Stacey Farmer, press manager at our Thurrock print site, has been helping his daughter fundraise for their local NHS hospital. Using a rainbow motif, which has become a symbol of hope and happiness during the Coronavirus pandemic, Lily has made more than 45 bespoke door plaques for friends, family members and neighbours in their village (she was even kind enough to make us one).
In her own words, Lily tells us why she was inspired to spread a little cheer:
“I’ve wanted to do something for the NHS for a long time now but just couldn’t decide what! We are very lucky to have the NHS and they’re always there to help us, so I really wanted to help them.”
“I had already drawn rainbows for mine and my Grandma’s house, but the idea for the rainbow door plaques came after a delivery man got cross with my Grandma because he couldn’t see her door number and had been driving around for ages.”
“After I’d made the plaque for Grandma a lot of people admired it and the idea was born – I’ve made over 45 bespoke door plaques using local stone from my back garden and the orders are still coming in!”
Lily showcasing her amazing work
34 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Supporting our Communities during Covid-19 across our businesses
City Harvest, Trepp’s chosen charity/partner Landmark supported the NHS with free Hobsons provided its Naviance Curriculum charity, is New York’s largest food rescue environmental reports to support the design free to schools across the US during organisation, providing food to pantries and of the Nightingale hospitals and NHS Covid lockdown, to the benefit of more than three soup kitchens. Even before the Covid-19 crisis, test sites across the country. It also supported million students. the continued functioning of the market via its City Harvest was on pace for a record-setting remote valuation and service capabilities, while year for food rescue and delivery. But due to the other providers were impacted by lockdown. growing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the need has become unprecedented. By the end of June, City Harvest New York had delivered 82 million pounds of food across their network of DMGT Corporate Responsibility Champion more than 400 soup kitchens, food pantries, and Georgia Roda hosted a three-hour other community partners. 300,000 pounds of dance-a-thon. food a day are being delivered all over the city. The London-based RMS team have been Over the course of three hours, Georgia working with the Tower Hamlets Education danced along to all the greatest hits: from Business Partnership to support a local YMCA to Dancing Queen. She danced live to primary school. Over the last few years, RMS raise funds for Mail Force and DMGT’s charity staff member Phil Haines has been organising partner, Orbis, a charity that helps prevent a volunteering program with the Tower blindness globally. Georgia hit her fundraising Hamlets Education Business Partnership. target of £1,000 and all funds raised will Before lockdown began, RMS Employees be equally split between Mail Force and were volunteering once a week at Bigland Orbis. DMGT match funded every colleague Green Primary School, taking part in one of DMGT Cares was launched to help those donation made towards supporting the fight two programmes - Number Partners, and on the front line of the Covid-19 response against Covid-19. Reading Partners. These involved helping the by providing a hub of practical ways that children practise their maths or reading skills, volunteers with in our businesses can as well as encouraging them to have fun and help their communities. As part of this to grow in confidence. scheme, DMGT matched Trepp’s donation to City Harvest New York. City Harvest Since the COVID-19 outbreak, RMS has given said it is counting on its public and private a one-off donation of £1000, to help support partnerships to help it to continue to provide the school further during the lockdown. food at these record breaking levels. 35 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Our Governance
Northcliffe house reception with Covid measures in place
Strong governance is essential to the way DMGT operates; it is promoted by the Board and cascades throughout the Group. It is a key factor in our ability to achieve growth in a profitable, responsible and sustainable manner and in how we maximise shareholder value over the long-term.
DMGT’s approach to governance is distinctive; our corporate procedures are strengthened by the significant benefits we derive from the family shareholding, and the long-term view that this engenders.
Our Governance policies can be found on our website here. You can read more about our approach to governance, including our compliance with the new FRC 2018 Corporate Governance Code, in our 2020 Annual Report.
Good governance is a key factor in our ability to achieve growth in a profitable, responsible and sustainable manner.
36 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Board activities and stakeholder engagement
Shareholders strategy; due to Covid-19 this meeting was • Future dividends: Investors wanted In addition: There is a unity of interests between the family postponed. Some of the key topics raised by to confirm that they had correctly • an Investor Briefing was due to be held and other shareholders. Any concerns raised shareholders during the financial year were: interpreted DMGT’s half-year results in June 2020 and was to focus on our by shareholders in relation to the Company release to mean that the Board still Property Information businesses in and its affairs are communicated to the • Covid-19: Investors were keen to intends to deliver real dividend particular. The event was postponed due Board through regular briefings. Institutional understand how the Covid-19 pandemic growth but not if Covid-19 has such a to Covid-19 and was held virtually on 10 feedback is circulated to Directors following and associated restrictions have affected pronounced impact on the economic February 2021. results and trading updates. and are likely to affect the Group’s outlook and trading that it would be different businesses, including whether detrimental to the Group’s best interests • in late 2019, DMGT engaged an external Shareholders have access to the Company any effects are expected to be long to do so. adviser to review interactions with investors. This included feedback on Secretary and Company’s Registrars to lasting. They were also curious about • Cazoo: Investors were interested in discuss queries or raise issues they may face. whether there is likely to be a sustained the April 2019 Distributions, interaction understanding Cazoo’s potential, with management, DMGT’s IR team, The Company’s website, www.dmgt.com, impact on working practices. particularly in light of the market value provides the latest news, historical financial shareholder messaging and corporate • RMS: Investors wanted to gain assurance of Carvana, a US-listed business with a governance. The findings were information, details about forthcoming that the business remains on track similar business model. events for shareholders and analysts, and satisfactory and no significant concerns with its product launches and that the were raised; and other information relevant to shareholders expectations for the business have not regarding the Group. changed. • the IR team ensures that relevant materials are available online in an Senior executives hold regular Investor • MailOnline: Investors were interested easily accessible format to better inform Relations (IR) meetings with institutional in the digital advertising dynamics existing and potential investors, and investors, including IR roadshows following during the UK lockdown, with increased engages with analysts on a regular basis. the half-year and full year results, as well audience and traffic in April and May but as attending investor conferences to meet reduced revenues. potential investors. In accordance with • Acquisitions: Investors wanted to gauge Provision 3 of the 2018 UK Corporate the appetite for bolt-on acquisitions Governance Code (the Code), the Chairman and were curious whether sellers’ price was due to meet with major shareholders expectations have reduced as a result of in order to understand their views on Covid-19. governance and performance against
37 DMGT plc Sustainability Report 2020
Board activities and stakeholder engagement
Interaction with Executive Management Suppliers Data Privacy The Board and Executive Management team Information relating to DMGT’s suppliers DMGT has an internal Data Protection and interact regularly. The executive management and business partners is included in Privacy Policy that outlines how DMGT and its team attend Board and Committee meetings, reports shared with the Board by Executive operating companies are expected to handle joined by operating company leadership Management and presentations given by and protect personal data. This ensures that teams and subject matter experts, presenting operating company leadership. This helps the rights and freedoms of individuals, whose and answering questions on specific matters. the Board understand the processes in place data is processed, are respected. This Policy is Regular Board papers from the CEO, Group and that suppliers are treated appropriately. based on the requirements of the EU General Chief Financial Officer, Head of Investor An example of this is the annual payment Data Protection Regulation and the UK Data Relations and the Company Secretary also practices report. 83% of payments to Protection Act 2018. provide insight and reflections on the day-to- suppliers of our UK businesses were made on day activities within the Group, and include time in accordance with our payment terms. To find more information on how we process updates from around the Group. the personal data of our shareholders and Customers website users, please click here. Whistleblowing procedures Information relating to DMGT’s customers is Principle 6 of the Code specifies that the included in reports shared with the Board by workforce should be able to raise any Executive Management and presentations matters of concern to the Board. For more given by operating company leadership. information, see our 2020 Annual Report. Directors also attend customer events such as RMS Exceedance, where they have the opportunity to interact with clients and hear their views.
Our communities The regular CEO Report to the Board contains updates on community and charity partnerships. Directors are invited to attend the DMGT Community Champions Awards ceremony where they not only interact with employees, but also representatives from the Paul Zwillenberg, Kim Oppelt and Kate charities and community initiatives the Group Cassino at the DMGT Community Champions supports. Awards ceremony
38