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
Maintaining a large, engaged consumer base
of in-market car buyers, sellers and researchers
who have high levels of trust and confidence in
Auto Trader, underpins the success of our business model.
>75%
HOW WE ENGAGE
We speak to consumers regularly for
research and insight.
We continually ask for feedback on our
user experience through on and offsite surveys.
We regularly conduct consumer user
testing of new products, services and
brand designs of our website.
We have consumer facing teams operating
seven days a week.
We utilise social media and marketing channels.
Our customers
Our partnerships with almost 14,000
vehicle retailers, with manufacturers
and other customers (such as leasing
companies) mean that we continue to
have the greatest choice of vehicles
for consumers. The majority of our
revenue is generated from our customers.
13,783
HOW WE ENGAGE
Our people
Our people are fundamental to our
continued success. This requires us
to attract new talent and to nurture,
motivate and inspire a highly skilled
workforce. We commit to ensuring that
we continue to build a diverse and
inclusive culture where everyone feels
valued and able to achieve their full potential.
97%
HOW WE ENGAGE
We maintain our Board Engagement Guild
which engages directly with the Board
(without management present) on matters
which are important to our people or topics
which are current and relevant.
We conduct regular employee checkin surveys.
We run health and safety assessments.
We offer wellbeing forums.
We have an independent whistleblowing service.
We host biannual all employee conferences,
and regular CEO and OLT
Our partners
& suppliers
We rely on our suppliers and partners
to provide technology infrastructure,
supply of data about vehicles and their
financing, and in the fulfilment of some
of our revenue generating products.
Building trusted partnerships helps us to
work better together and continue to provide
the highest quality products and services.
90%
HOW WE ENGAGE
We maintain regular engagement with
suppliers and partners at senior level.
We put in place procurement processes
to onboard new suppliers into our
business, as well as arranging regular
check-ins for ongoing relationships.
We agree ways of working with new
suppliers or partners and providing
feedback during ongoing projects.
We encourage an open dialogue to ensure
we work collaboratively and share learnings.
The community
& the environment
We aim to give back more to the
planet than we take out and protect
our business from the impact of climate
change. We also strive to create stronger
communities and have a positive social
and environmental impact.
Net zero
HOW WE ENGAGE
We empower employee networks to
manage our charitable support including
our Auto Trader Community Fund and
our sustainability strategy.
We support organisations such as
Manchester Digital and the Automotive
30% Club, and local schools and colleges
through our STEM ambassadors.
We share data and insight with industry bodies
and Government departments to support policy
required to enable the mass adoption of
electric vehicles.
Our investors
Maintaining a continuous transparent
dialogue with current and potential investors
promotes confidence, resulting in continued
access to capital to enable us to invest in the
long-term success of the business.
£250.3m
HOW WE ENGAGE
We make open, honest and balanced
communication available to all shareholders.
We encourage private shareholders
to communicate with the Board
through ir@autotrader.co.uk.
We maintain a comprehensive investor
relations programme.
We provide regular corporate updates
including via Annual Report, AGM,
corporate website and regulatory news
announcements.
We have open dialogue with proxy
advisors and other agencies.
We ensured the Chair and the
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
made contact and corresponded with
investors throughout the year.
We ensure meetings which relate to
governance are attended by the Chair
or another Non-Executive Director.
We make sure there is feedback
regularly provided to the Board.
We ensure relevant industry-related
data and internally produced market
reports are 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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