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The Group operates in several sectors of the economy and this diversity requires developing and sustaining relationships with varying stakeholder groups. Functioning with a large number of stakeholder groups translates to numerous and varying expectations, and thus the Group considers stakeholders that have a significant influence over the Group, or who would be significantly impacted by the Group’s operations. The Group’s significant stakeholder groups are:

– Customers
– Employees
– Suppliers and Business Partners
– Community, Community Leaders and Society
– Investors and Lenders
– Legal and Regulatory Bodies
– Government Institutions and Departments
– Society, Media and Pressure Groups
– Industry Peers and Competition

Stakeholder Engagement Process

Stakeholder engagement remains a pivotal dimension in our sustainability strategy and continues to mould and shape our strategic outlook with respect to sustainability practice.

The Group proactively engages with a diverse range of stakeholders to assess the Group’s focus on, and responsiveness to, material issues. The Group also commissions an independent third party to carry out an external stakeholder exercise in accordance to the sustainability assurance standard AA1000SES. The AA1000 standard is used to verify materiality, which then defines the parameters for reporting on inclusivity, materiality and responsiveness. The Group conducts this exercise periodically in the future to maintain its commitment to increasing stakeholder value. As employees form a significant part of the Group’s stakeholders, Group Human Resources also carries out a limited stakeholder engagement with them to understand the pulse of employee groups.

Feedback received from stakeholder engagements as well as risks identified through the Group Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) process are then analysed in terms of importance and influence prior to being mapped to the relevant aspects of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 Guidelines. These concerns are then monitored on a quarterly basis in an attempt to respond to stakeholder feedback. These responses and related Group performance are communicated primarily through the Group’s integrated Annual Report.

Stakeholder Engagement Frequencies

Once significant stakeholder are identified, the Walkers CML Group engages with these stakeholder groups at relevant frequencies to understand perception regarding significant aspects that affect our sustainability performance. These include formal and informal consultations, negotiations, communication, mandatory and voluntary disclosures, certifications and accreditations. This is further illustrated under separate stakeholder categories below: