JUST GROUP PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2021
CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNANCE
I am pleased to present the Group’s Corporate Governance Report for 2021.
Dear shareholders and other stakeholders,
On behalf of the Board of Just Group plc (the “Board”), I am pleased to present the 2021 Corporate Governance Report. The Board is committed to underpinning all of the Group’s activities with the highest standards of corporate governance. This section of the Annual Report and Accounts explains how the Board seeks to ensure that we have effective corporate governance in place to help support the creation of long-term sustainable value for all our shareholders and other stakeholders. The Board has adopted the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the “Code”) since 1 January 2019. The Board considers that, for the year under review, it has complied with the principles and provisions of the Code. Further details on how we have applied the principles of the Code can be found on page 77. LEADERSHIP AND PURPOSE The Board has agreed an effective corporate governance framework, which includes the key mechanisms through which the Group sets its strategy and objectives, monitors performance and considers risk management. Just has a compelling, clear purpose, to help people achieve a better later life by providing financial advice, guidance, competitive products and services to those approaching, at, or in- retirement. Our priority is to deliver a sustainable capital model so that we can take advantage of the growth markets we operate in. We work hard to ensure our customers benefit from our services and our shareholders receive the benefit of long-term, sustainable value creation, whilst also taking into consideration the needs of our other stakeholders and the impact of our operations on the wider society and environment. STAKEHOLDERS Stakeholder engagement is of key importance to the Board. We take into account the interests of a wide range of stakeholders including investors, customers, colleagues, pension scheme trustees, financial advisers, regulators and suppliers. Of prime importance is for the Board to understand the views of our stakeholders and we do this through a variety of engagement activities. Steve Melcher and Michelle Cracknell are the lead Non-Executive Directors responsible for seeking the views of our colleagues and bringing these back into the boardroom. Further information about how the Board engages with colleagues can be found in the Governance in operation report on page 74. Further details regarding our engagement with the wider stakeholder groups and how this has impacted our decision making is included in our Strategic Report on pages 36 to 37. SUSTAINABILITY In recent years, there has been an increased focus by the Directors on the environment when making decisions, particularly in the context of the impact of climate change. One example of key decisions made during the year was to broaden the Group’s sustainability credentials through the issue of an RT1 Sustainable Bond. In the Section 172 report on page 42 you can read about the various key considerations and decisions taken by the Board on sustainability during the year.
John Hastings-Bass Chair
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