Managing Corporate Responsibility
The Board sets policy and takes responsibility for Balfour Beatty's performance in safety, health, the environment, business ethics, risk management, human rights and other social issues.
In early 2001, the Business Practices Committee of the Board was established to review policy, practice and performance in these areas.
The Committee, which comprises non-executive Directors under the Chairmanship of Steve Marshall, receives reports from the Group Director of Safety, Health and the Environment. It meets four times a year.
Policies
Balfour Beatty has clearly stated policies for a number of important non-financial issues which set out how we expect our people to act. These cover:
- risk management
- health and safety
- environment
- human rights
- drugs and alcohol
- equal opportunities
- whistleblowing.
Within this overall framework, operating companies are required to develop specific policies and practices relevant to their particular circumstances.
Chairman and Chief Executive's statement
We have continued to evaluate, critically, all our governance and management systems to ensure their suitability for purpose. Policies have been renewed and, where necessary, restated. We are updating the terms of reference of the Business Practices Committee so that it can monitor, evaluate and guide our non-financial performance more effectively.
Helping to tackle global issues
We measure our major environmental impacts and have set targets for reducing our carbon footprint. We have engaged with Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace to understand their agenda as well as the Environment Agency to ensure that our work is in line with their aims and objectives.