Community involvement is an important part of our culture. We have over 32,000 employees and interact with over 33 million end customers each year. We want our people to take pride (and take part) in the way we engage with the communities where they live and work. We also want our business activities to contribute positively to our local communities.

In regional partnerships with local authorities we deliver positive economic impact through job creation and local purchasing, taking part in educational projects and helping to promote local regeneration and community investment.

Our charitable initiatives focus on two main themes: addressing social and educational exclusion, and regeneration. Our corporate charity for 2008/9, chosen and supported by our staff, is Macmillan Cancer Support.

To engage staff at all levels across the business we also encourage and support employees’ work for locally chosen charities. For example, we are involved in two local orphanage projects supported by staff in our India office.

Our CR objectives for local communities

• Support and encourage our people’s participation in volunteering and charitable work
• Make a positive impact on the communities in which we operate.