LSE: 816.40 GBP -3.00 (-0.37%)
Menu
Close

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%

of all minutes spent on automotive classified sites were spent on Auto Trader in 2025

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

average retailer forecourts advertising with Auto Trader in 2025

HOW WE ENGAGE

  • Conducting retailer sentiment surveys to assess product improvements and value.
  • Our Leadership Team participates in a business partnering programme.
  • Sales teams, including telesales and field sales, maintain ongoing communication with customers.
  • Customers are invited to attend select Board meetings.
  • Publishing regular thought leadership and insight-driven reports, such as the Road to 2030 Report.
  • Hosting regular forums with CEOs of major and mid-tier retailers, OEMs, car supermarkets and automotive finance companies to share our latest data and insight and gain their input.

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%

of employees surveyed in 2025 are proud to work for Auto Trader

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%

of retailers were using our trended valuations product each month during 2025

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

by 2040 (our targets have been validated by the SBTi)

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

returned to shareholders in 2025

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:

 

ESG

Related links

Our people & communities

At Auto Trader, we recognise that our people are fundamental to our success.

Read More

Our governance & compliance

Always upholding the values of good corporate governance and risk management.

Read More

Other Group sites

Looking to join the team?

Careers

Looking to buy or sell a vehicle?

Consumers

Keep in touch

Sign up to our email alerts service:

RNS alerts

Join our news & views mailing list
or submit media-related enquiries:

Contact our press team
  • @2025 Auto Trader Group plc. Registered in England with company number: 09439967.