Corporate governance
Our management systems for safety, health and environmental policy operate both at Group and operating company level.
Corporate System
The Chief Executive has ultimate responsibility for safety, health and environment as well as for overall business performance and reports to the Board on these matters.
The Group Director Safety, Health and the Environment reports directly to the Chief Executive and is responsible for establishing Safety, Health and Environmental policy and monitoring performance against it.
The Chief Executive personally conducts a review of the most serious events - fatalities and other serious safety, quality or environmental incidents.
The Group-wide Risk Management Framework provides a common management system and software for identifying and managing risks of all types.
Good practice in safety, health and environment is shared across UK operating companies via the Health and Safety Advisers Group and the Environmental Task Group.
During 2003 a new structure was introduced: the Group Safety and Health Council is chaired by the Chief Executive and supported by several regional H&S Forums, each chaired by a Group Managing Director with his operating company Managing Directors.
Operating Companies
Our operating companies work in a decentralised and devolved way, but within the Group principles and policy framework.
Operating company Managing Directors and their Boards are responsible for communicating and implementing Group policy within their sphere of operations, and for legal compliance.
Each operating company has nominated directors with specific interests in safety, health and the environment, supported by company Safety Boards and/or Environmental Steering Groups. Qualified safety and environmental advisers provide relevant expertise and advice.
More information on our operating companies can be found here:
Chairman’s and Chief Executive’s statement
In 2006, we were awarded the Quality in Construction prize for the best Corporate Responsibility programme in the industry. Such recognition is gratifying, but we remain determined to continue to make progress in all aspects of corporate responsibility.