Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Policy

Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") encompasses a range of company considerations. Skillcast Group plc (the "Group") evaluates its ethical impact, social responsibility and sustainability by these standards as a collective. As the world strives towards a sustainable future, ESG is becoming a key factor in corporate decision-making. The Board believes it is part of the Group’s corporate responsibility to deliver returns by being a responsible investor.  Integrating ESG matters into our investment decision-making process and active ownership practices are important elements of being a responsible investor. 

The Group recognises its responsibility to encourage positive environmental and social change through our operational decisions. Each pillar of ESG has its own standards and practices. Collectively, these standards are of interest to our clients, investors, employees and other stakeholders as well as regulators. The Group understands the importance of ESG in driving long-term success and is committed to implementing these standards across the company.

Download our ESG Policy

About this policy

The Skillcast ESG Policy (the Policy or ESG Policy) intends to provide a framework for applying ESG considerations in how we operate our business and engage with the communities with which we do business. In line with this, our ESG policy outlines how we evaluate and implement investments.

The Group is committed to identifying and managing ESG considerations at a firm and investment level. This policy is implemented by management and reviewed annually to ensure it is in line with ESG best practices as well as the board, legal and regulatory requirements.

Scope

The scope of this Policy considers The Group's environmental impact, how we can ensure our social responsibilities are met while taking into account key business decisions that shape our future direction and growth.

The ESG policy applies to all locations in which The Group operates and to all its directors and employees. Management is responsible for enforcing this ESG Policy and monitoring compliance with it. Any employee who breaches this ESG Policy will face disciplinary action and potentially dismissal for gross misconduct.

ESG principles

Our framework integrates global ESG standards which we strive to maintain in all areas of the company. The Group focuses on the three pillars of ESG separately and highlights these standards for each element.

Environmental

The Group is responsible for a number of environmental considerations which include:

  • monitoring greenhouse gas emissions
  • developing a carbon reduction plan in line with the UK government PPN 06/21 and NHS net zero standards
  • maintaining an ESG strategy
  • ensuring employee training on environmental issues and company impact
  • considering environmental factors in business decisions 

Social

The Group is committed to several social initiatives which include:

  • offering a healthy work-life balance to employees
  • ensuring employee engagement 
  • promoting diversity, equality and inclusion
  • paying employees the living minimum wage
  • donating to and partnering with various charities 

Governance

The Group is dedicated to ensuring corporate governance across the company by maintaining standards which include:

  • complying with regulatory standards and procedures
  • protecting the personal data of all data subjects
  • guarding against fraud by having cybersecurity measures in place
  • providing compliance training to employees
  • having a whistleblowing policy as a platform for employees to raise concerns