Corporate Social Responsibility

NCC Group takes its corporate social responsibilities very seriously and recognises the important contributions to the business made by the wider community of stakeholders, in particular employees, clients, suppliers and the local communities in which we operate. The Board takes into account social, environmental and ethical issues in its discussions and decision making and makes the health and safety of employees a priority.

Stakeholders

Employees

People are at the heart of the Group's business and the support and involvement of the talented individuals who form our team is vital to the continued success of the Group overall. The Group has a policy of keeping employees informed of, and engaged in, its business strategy through the Intranet, regular employee briefings and divisional meetings.

We are extremely proud to have been named on of the Top IT Employers in the UK for 2008 in an independent study for Computing magazine and carried out by CRF, an independent research company. NCC Group scored high marks for career development, training and innovation in particular, demonstrating our commitment to developing staff and offering defined career paths is delivering results.

Comments and suggestions from employees on the Group's performance and management are actively encouraged and a free flow of information between the directors, managers and employees ensures that everyone has an opportunity to contribute.

Clients

The Group values each and every client and is proud of the long standing nature of its client relationships. Continuing client satisfaction is central to our ongoing success and is regularly measured and monitored through the ISO 9001 certified quality programme. Rare instances of negative feedback are treated with the utmost seriousness and dealt with swiftly by management through to resolution.

The Community

We are committed to ensuring that as well as delivering consistently strong results as a business, we give something back to the local community. We continue to support charitable organisations and actively encourage the involvement of our employees in fundraising by covering expenses and awarding additional days' holiday.

During the year, we supported fundraising for Christie's, the charity which raises funds for the Manchester-based Christie Hospital, one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe. Through a series of events and sponsored activities ranging from mountain-climbing to cycling and five-a-side football, we raised in excess of £23,000.

After two very successful years supporting Christie's, where we raised in excess of £37,000 in total, we have now committed to support the NSPCC charity, with particular focus on the Childline operations. We have set a goal to facilitate the raising of at least £100,000 over the next three years.

Suppliers

The Group's policy is to pay suppliers in accordance with terms and conditions agreed when orders are placed. Although the Group does not follow any code or standard on payment policy, where terms have not been specifically agreed, invoices dated in one calendar month are paid close to the end of the following month.

At 31 May 2008, the Group had an average of 45 days purchases outstanding in trade creditors (2007: 28 days).

The environment

Although the impact of the Group's operations on the environment is limited compared with other industries, we recognise our responsibility to respect and limit damage to the environment. In 2006, an environmental policy was introduced outlining the responsibilities of the Group and each employee to act in an environmentally responsible manner, in particular through efficient route planning, recycling and sustainable procurement.

Key Policies

Ethics policy

The Group recognises and understands that our relationships with those who we deal with are the key to our success and, as such, we take our obligations and commitments to those people and organisations very seriously. Our independence, reputation as a supplier of quality services and the trust of our clients are all key assets that we aim to protect at all times. We aim to engender in our employees principles of honesty and integrity and the desire to work to the best of their ability.

All of these values and principles are founded on an ethics policy which permeates everything that we do.

Equal opportunities and employment policy

The Group is committed to offering equal opportunities to all; no employee or potential employee receives more or less favourable treatment due to their gender, age, race, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status. The Group is committed to the training and development of all employees and to providing a productive working environment.

Should an existing employee's circumstances change, it is the Group's policy, wherever practicable, to provide continuing employment under normal terms and conditions and to provide training and career development and promotion wherever possible.

Health and safety policy

The Group is committed to the good health and wellbeing of its employees and strives to provide and maintain a safe and pleasant environment for all employees, clients and visitors to its premises and comply with the relevant health and safety legislation.

Continued investment is planned in the coming financial year to enhance the working environments of employees in all of our offices.