Engaging with stakeholders
Maintaining a clear, consistent dialogue with our
stakeholders is key to fulfilling our purpose and
ensuring the long-term success of our business.
Robust Board decision
making, assessed against a
comprehensive stakeholder framework
By understanding our stakeholders, and by considering
their diverse needs, the Board factors into boardroom
discussions the potential impact of our decisions on each
stakeholder group; adhering to the following principles:
Considering the long-term
consequences of our decisions
Considering the interests
of our employees
The need to foster good relationships
with our stakeholders
Considering our impact on the
environment and our community
Maintaining high standards of conduct
Acting fairly between stakeholders
Balancing stakeholder needs to
make the best possible decisions
Our consumers
The continued success of our business model
is underpinned by maintaining and strengthening
relationships with consumers. Our business
thrives by creating a large, engaged community
of car buyers, sellers and researchers who trust
our brand and reputation and have confidence
in Auto Trader as a marketplace.
>75%
HOW WE ENGAGE
Regular contact with a diverse group of consumers
for research and insight.
Gathering feedback on real world user experience.
Conducting consumer testing for new products,
services and website designs with a wide range
of demographics.
Providing in-house consumer facing support
seven days a week.
Utilising social media and marketing channels.
Our customers
Our partnerships with vehicle retailers, manufacturers,
leasing companies and other customers enable us to offer
consumers the widest choice of vehicles. The majority
of our revenue is generated from our customers.
14,013
HOW WE ENGAGE
Our people
Our people are one of our most valuable assets
and the key to our ongoing success. To thrive,
it is important to attract new talent while supporting
and developing our highly skilled workforce.
We aim to create a diverse and inclusive culture
and environment where everyone has the right
tools to achieve their full potential and is a valued
part of our community.
91%
HOW WE ENGAGE
The Board Engagement Guild, made up of our
employees from across the business, engages
with the Board (without management present).
Regular employee engagement surveys.
Biannual all-employee conferences, and regular
virtual business updates.
Open wellbeing forums. Health and safety assessments.
Independent whistleblowing service.
Our partners
& suppliers
We rely on our suppliers and partners for
technology infrastructure, supply of vehicle
and financing data, and the fulfilment of
some of our revenue-generating products.
Building trusted partnerships allows us to
collaborate more effectively and consistently
to deliver the highest-quality products
and services.
>70%
HOW WE ENGAGE
Maintaining regular engagement
with suppliers and partners at the
appropriate levels.
Implementing structured procurement
processes to onboard new suppliers
and regular check-ins for familiarisation,
updates and building ongoing relationships.
Establishing ways of working with new
suppliers and partners and providing
feedback throughout ongoing projects.
Fostering an open dialogue for collaborative
relationships and creating opportunities
for shared learning.
The community
& the environment
We aim to have a net positive impact
on the planet while mitigating the effects
of climate change on our business. We strive
to strengthen communitiesand create
positive social and environmental outcomes.
Net zero
HOW WE ENGAGE
Employee networks oversee our charitable initiatives,
including the Auto Trader Community Fund and
our sustainability strategy.
We support organisations such as Manchester Digital,
Forever Manchester and the Automotive 30% Club,
as well as local schools and colleges through our STEM
ambassador programme.
We share data and insights with industry bodies and
Government departments to shape policies that promote
the mass adoption of electric vehicles.
Our investors
Maintaining an ongoing, transparent dialogue
with current and potential investors fosters
confidence, resulting in continued access
to capital that enables us to invest in the
long-term success of the business.
£275.7m
HOW WE ENGAGE
Open, honest and balanced communication
accessible to all shareholders.
Private shareholders are encouraged to contact
the Board through ir@autotrader.co.uk.
Comprehensive investor relations programme.
Annual Report, AGM, corporate website and
regulatory news announcements.
Ongoing dialogue with proxy advisors and
other agencies.
The Chair and the Chair of the Remuneration
Committee maintain contact and correspondence
with investors throughout the year.
Governance-related meetings attended
by the Chair or another Non-Executive Director.
Feedback regularly given to the Board.
Relevant industry-related data and internally
produced market reports shared with analysts.
Understanding what matters most
An issue is material to us if it significantly
impacts our business and our strategic
priorities but also if it is viewed as being
important to our stakeholders.
In order to remain successful in the long term, an understanding of what ESG topics matter most to our key stakeholders is essential. Our materiality assessment helps to inform our ESG strategy and captures our impacts in a non-financial manner. The findings of our materiality assessment guide the focus areas of our ESG strategy.
To learn more about which material issues are important to our stakeholders, visit the ESG section via the link below:
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