The management team for CSR*
From January 2007 the CSR and diversity functions have been combined into one CSR team with a wider remit, which gives them clearer accountability for delivering our CSR programme in one place. This new team will take the lead on the much broader set of activities that form our CSR agenda. The team now reports to executive committee member and group HR director, John Ainley.
Aviva’s board CSR committee had its first full year in operation. You will find a separate report from its chairman, Professor Wim Dik, below.
It is pleasant and challenging to have the opportunity to chair Aviva’s newly formed board CSR committee, which has completed its first year in operation.
The CSR committee is responsible for CSR strategy and policy, and for reviewing the progress of our CSR programme. In addition, it will also monitor the group’s risk exposure through progress reports from the businesses. The committee met three times during the year.
A key focus for the committee in 2006 was participating in discussions on climate change and Aviva’s response. Aviva has prepared a climate change strategy and in December announced a commitment to carbon neutralise operations worldwide. We provided input on the decision to become a founding partner of Oxfam’s 365 Alliance and to change our assurance providers. We agreed the competencies for business unit CSR champions, together with approving a common standard for business unit reporting to the committee.
I was also pleased to have the chance, together with Aviva’s Chairman, to attend part of the company’s annual CSR conference in June 2006. It provided a useful understanding of CSR activities being undertaken across the group and to learn about the issues which were relevant to the various businesses.
I look forward to an effective agenda in 2007.
- Professor Wim Dik
- Senior non-executive director
- Chair, Board CSR committee
CSR forums
We have a central CSR steering group, which meets three times a year to review progress, exchange good practice and consider our response to specific CSR challenges. We also have a European steering group which meets each January. It brings together European businesses to review performance, exchange good practice and consider local CSR issues. Finally, we have an annual CSR conference that brings together CSR representatives from across the group to review progress, set priorities for the coming year and share best practice.
* Left to right: John Ainley – Group HR director; Annette Pendrey – CSR research manager; Janneke Dijkstra – CSR communications manager; Reena Dayal – Senior diversity manager; Louella Eastman – Group CSR director; Cathy Ching – Personal assistant; Zelda Bentham – Environment manager; David Hope – Group HR strategy director; Michelle Wolfe – CSR reporting manager; Simi Shasanya – CSR assistant.
