Corporate Social Responsibility

Introduction

At Avidity Group Limited, including our subsidiary businesses (the “Company”), we recognise that our business does not operate in isolation to the world that we live in.  Our colleagues depend on our business.  Our clients, suppliers and local communities are all affected by the business and what we do.  The services that we provide and how we deliver these also have an impact on the environment.

Corporate Social Responsibility is about understanding the impact of the company on the wider world and considering how we can use this impact in a positive way.

As an employer and a consumer, we recognise our corporate responsibility commitments in our role working in the Field Services Marketing industry.

The purpose of this policy is to clarify what we mean by corporate responsibility and what steps we have put in place to assist with the changes needed to sustain the environment in our wider community.  It provides a reference point for us on the values which drive the conduct of our business and relationships with the people we deal with.   This policy applies to all colleagues and will govern our approach to all our activities with clients, partners, and the wider communities in which we work.

Underlying Philosophy

Our commitment to corporate social responsibility encompasses our whole business.  The key areas we have adopted to bring sustainability into reality are as follows:  Values & Ethics, The Environment, Community and Charitable Causes.

1. Values and Ethics

The Company is committed to ensuring that our business is conducted in all aspects according to rigorous ethical, professional, and legal standards.  We expect everyone at work to live by the Company core values of:  Doing the Right Thing, Developing People, Knowing Our Stuff, Actively Improving our Offer, Relationships Matter, and Making Things Happen.

2. The Environment

We recognise that our business activities have both a direct and indirect impact on the territories in which we operate.  We endeavour to manage these is a responsible manner and are dedicated to maintaining the ethos of reducing our carbon footprint, both direct and indirect, as a long-term business goal.

The aim of our policy is to be aware of the environment in which we live and work, and to take all measures to protect these surroundings.  Our policy on environment and sustainability therefore concentrates on the following areas: 

Transport:

The Company’s car fleet is our largest environmental consideration. We continue to increase the number of electric vehicles in our fleet, with the aim to be 100% electric by 2030.

Energy:

We have transitioned to a green tariff, and we will minimise use of energy consumption wherever practical. Colleagues should ensure all equipment, machinery and lighting are switched off when not in use.

Waste:

We will minimise the consumption of natural resources and the Company will ensure that it actively seeks suitable alternatives. Where waste is concerned, all colleagues are expected to identify and separate waste as far as possible, for example:

• Ensure waste is prevented or reduced at source
• Reuse waste materials
• Refurbish any materials for reuse
• Deposit materials in the recycling facilities/bins provided
• Only where waste cannot be prevented, reclaimed, or recovered, should it be disposed of in the ‘non-recyclable’ waste bins
  
  

Further information can be found in the Avidity Environmental Policy.

3. Community and Charitable Causes

The Company is committed to ensuring that our communities have access to as much opportunity as possible to live developed and fulfilling lives.   We have identified youth unemployment as a particular concern.  We believe that young people are the future of the economies and communities that we work in, and that independence, self-confidence, and employability are key factors in community sustainability.

The Company aims to ensure that young people who may be disadvantaged in seeking a career, have the chance to learn about, and gain experience in our industry. 

In this regard, we aim to offer 50 young people annually, the opportunity to join us for 6 weeks’ paid work experience and learning, that will enhance their independence, self-confidence, and employability.

Thereafter, we aim to ensure that at least 10% of those young people have the skills and abilities to go on to a permanent role, either within the Company or employment elsewhere.

In addition, Grocery Aid is the leading charitable organisation in the industry in which we operate. This means that we commit to both fundraising and the giving of our time to support the charity’s goals. The Company is a Gold Achievement Award winner in recognition of the exceptional support that we have given in the past.

Furthermore, we engage with our employees to establish what charities they feel passionate about. Our colleagues vote for their nominated charities, and we support at least one in the UK and one in the Republic of Ireland. This means that we also commit to both fundraising and the giving of our time to support the goals of those charities too.