41061 Unite AR22 HI-RES WEB-READY - Flipbook - Page 116
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THE UNITE GROUP PLC | Annual Report and Financial Statements 2022
BOARD ACTIVITIES continued
2022 performance evaluation
Each year the Board, its Committees and Directors are
evaluated, considering (among other things) the balance
of skills, experience, independence and knowledge on the
Board, its diversity (including gender), how it works together
as a unit and other factors relevant to its effectiveness.
The Company’s Policy is to conduct an externally facilitated
evaluation every third year. During 2022, the evaluation was
conducted internally. The previous external evaluation was
in 2020 and the next external evaluation is expected to be
during 2023.
Board and Committee evaluation process
The Board and its Committees completed an anonymous
online questionnaire using Thinking Board, provided by
Independent Audit Limited that addressed a broad range of
issues and which enabled it to provide comments on a range
of matters. The questions covered Board and Committee
performance, culture, the content and scope of topics
covered at Board and Committee meetings, the nature
and dynamics of Director contributions at meetings and
Chair of the meetings. The questions set were consistent
with previous years to provide comparative results. There
were separate questionnaires for the Audit, Remuneration,
Health & Safety, Nomination and Sustainability Committees.
The conclusions were discussed by the Board and each
Committee at their meetings in Q4 of 2022.
Conclusion from this year’s Board
and Committee evaluation
The general conclusion was that the Board and its
Committees continue to work effectively and operate
to a high standard. Key areas of strength included the
skills and experience of the Non-Executive Directors
both to challenge and support the Executive team, and
contributions to Board discussion and decision-making.
The consensus is that the Board is effectively developing
and reviewing its wider business strategy while considering
stakeholders and incorporating ESG into the Board’s
strategic decision-making. The Board’s decision making
continues to align around our Purpose and Values. The
Directors believe that the Board fulfils its role relating to
strategy, risk, governance and oversight of operational and
financial performance well. The key areas where there are
opportunities for further development include:
•
continuing organisation oversight, with a particular
regard to succession planning and meeting more of the
wider leadership team;
•
a better understanding of risks and mitigation around
IT, data and cyber security and how this may inform our
strategy and more generally understanding how our
risks link to our strategy;
•
a better understanding of our people issues and data for
improved organisational insight; and
•
upskilling in fast developing areas such as Technology,
Sustainability and net zero.
The Board and each of its Committees reviewed the
suggestions and outcomes of the Board evaluation and
have developed an implementation plan. The Board also
considered its and the Committees’ current composition.
Richard Smith was added as a member of the Nomination
Committee (effective 1 February 2022) so as CEO he
could share his views on the Board’s structure, size and
composition and helping ensure the Board has the right
balance of skills, diversity and experience. Following Nicky
Dulieu’s appointment as a Non-Executive Director, she was
appointed to the Remuneration, Audit and Risk Committee
and Nomination Committee. Nicky will replace Elizabeth
McMeikan as Chair of the Remuneration Committee
following Elizabeth’s retirement from the Board. Nicky
brings a wealth of experience and proven track record as
a Non-Executive Director.
Progress against the 2021 Board evaluation recommendations
2021 BOARD EVALUATION RECOMMENDATIONS
2022 PROGRESS AGAINST THESE RECOMMENDATIONS
1 Create more opportunities for the Board members
to spend more in-person time and meet more of the
wider leadership team
The Board meetings during 2022 were held in-person
with informal time together outside of the meetings. In
addition, members of the leadership team were invited
to join Board meetings and will continue to be invited
throughout 2023.
2 Non-Executive Director interaction with key
stakeholders
The Chair of the Remuneration Committee engaged
with stakeholders through the 2021/22 remuneration
consultation process. Our Non-Executive Director for
Workforce Engagement has regular interaction with
employees through our Culture Matters forum.
3 Develop the Board’s insight and ability to challenge
how technology and data should drive our strategy
Following detailed discussions, the Board approved our
Technology and Data Roadmap in 2021 and during 2022
we entered the initial implementation phase of our new IT
infrastructure.
4 Organisation oversight
The Board held dedicated succession planning and talent
mapping sessions throughout the year, including insights
into key people data, our culture and values.
