I have a strong guiding leadership principle in the importance of providing open and transparent messages delivered with clear expectations on a regular basis to the whole Group. This is based on the well-known fact that when employees are engaged at work, their productivity is of a higher quality, success rates for both the individual and the company increase, and personal commitment to fulfil the aims and objectives of their job roles prove more satisfying to the individual. It goes even wider than that, high rates of employee engagement result in better customer service and improved employee health and wellbeing. The tricky part can be achieving engagement and maintaining it in an ever shifting economic and social landscape. At the Group we build on engagement by providing an environment whereby it’s, okay to be you. We invite open discussion with employees with many opportunities throughout the year to voice opinions, call out where improvements can be made, suggest changes for consideration. In evidence of this in 2021 the Group has: • Surveyed employees about their thoughts and feelings about hybrid working. • Introduced changes to how we brief senior colleagues. • Held three Executive Team Roadshows with extended Q&A sessions. • Strengthened the establishment of employee networks that represent colleagues from the LGBTQ+ community; disabled employees; colleagues from the BAME community; women; and parents and carers. • A very active Group Staff Forum whereby representatives act for colleagues from across the Group. I prioritise my attendance at each meeting as does the Group Director People & Communications. • Introduced a new way to do 1:1s which allow for better discussion for career progression, wellbeing, and greater engagement with the forward projection of the company. • Celebrated achievement success by awarding employees who go the extra mile for customers or colleagues and who live the Group’s values. Over 120 Chief Executive accolades have been presented this year to date. • Invested in the Best Companies survey for the third year running. We recognise that employee communication is essential in the development and staying power of employee engagement and we celebrate success, and relay corporate news via our weekly In House Weekly newsletter, create entertaining and informative podcasts, formal and informal announcements and use our Yammer channel for a multitude of topics from highlighting job vacancies to pets’ corner.