Annual Report and Accounts 2016


John Lewis Partnership plc


89


In this section


Why we have created a new Board Committee


Key activities Since year-end Induction and training Committee evaluation


Why we have created a


new Board Committee In last years’ Annual Report we indicated that we would continue to strengthen our governance structure to ensure appropriate management of the Partnership’s material sustainability issues. In response to that commitment, the Corporate Responsibility Committee was established to take on oversight of Corporate Responsibility governance from the Chairman’s Committee. This marks a significant step in our governance approach by providing a focal point for monitoring the management of material sustainability issues so that this is consistent with the Corporate Responsibility policies under the Constitution.


Maintaining commercial success requires a real commitment to doing business responsibly. For the Partnership, this commitment is not only driven by good economics, but also by the Partnership spirit and a sense of doing the ‘right thing’, as set out in its core purpose and principles. In the Partnership the approach to Corporate Responsibility is underpinned by the responsibilities set out in the Constitution to:


a Members under Principle 4 a Customers under Principle 5


a Those with whom it has a business relationship under Principle 6


a The Community under Principle 7


a Section 3 outlines clearly its ‘Responsibilities to Others’ in respect of its dealings with suppliers and competitors and its impact on the environment


On establishment, the Committee assumed responsibility for providing oversight in a number of areas previously under the remit of the Audit and Risk Committee including oversight of Health and Safety, Food Safety, Product Safety, and Responsible Sourcing.


Since the year-end, Dame Fiona Reynolds has joined the Committee as an external independent member of the Committee, bringing with her a wealth of corporate responsibility experience and further bolstering its independence.


Key activities During the year under review, the Committee has held two meetings and was engaged in the following activities:


Governance


a Adopted the Terms of Reference of the Committee


a Reviewed the Corporate Responsibility Governance framework


a Reviewed the Annual Corporate Responsibility Report


a Reviewed the Corporate Responsibility policy


a Reviewed Corporate Responsibility reporting in 2016


Human rights


With input from Divisional Corporate Responsibility Committees, the Committee formally reviewed the Human Rights strategy and associated report.


A Human Rights workshop was held in February 2016 covering the legislative landscape, broader expectations on business, best practice in human rights management and business case studies. This was attended by an external expert in modern slavery and the challenges workers face in the UK and international supply chains.


Responsible sourcing


The Committee received and reviewed an update from Waitrose on responsible sourcing within the Division.


Health and safety


The Committee maintained oversight of the Partnership Health & Safety Management Committee.


Since year-end Since the year-end, the Committee has:


a Approved the corporate responsibility elements of the Partnership’s Annual Report & Accounts (see pages 42 to 47)


a Approved the corporate responsibility content of the Partnership’s website (www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk), including the John Lewis Partnership Human Rights & Modern Slavery Report 2015/16


a Received and reviewed corporate responsibility updates from the Divisions including the development of key performance indicators for their priority material issues


Induction and training The Elected Directors attended induction meetings with the Director, Corporate Responsibility prior to the first meeting of the Committee.


An induction programme has been arranged for the new external independent Committee member who joined the Committee since the end of the year.


Briefings and workshops are provided to the Committee in relation to specialist and developing areas as deemed necessary.


Committee evaluation During the current year an evaluation of the Committee’s effectiveness will be undertaken in the same format as that agreed for the other Board Committees.


On behalf of the Corporate Responsibility Committee.


Keith Williams Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Corporate Responsibility Committee


In a nutshell


The Corporate Responsibility Committee is responsible to the Board for the oversight of the Partnership’s Corporate Responsibility Policy and corporate responsibility objectives.


It’s Your Voice


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