Our ‘Framework for Responsible Business’ defines the principles by which we manage the business, sets the context for corporate governance, and helps us take account of economic, environmental and social factors in our decisions. A measure of our success in achieving a balance between these factors is our listing in the Dow Jones Sustainability World, STOXX and FTSE4Good indices. This demonstrates that non-financial performance is rightly taking on a greater importance for the investment community.

Our approach to responsible business has also gained external recognition through our 1st place listing in Business in the Community’s 2003 Corporate Responsibility Index. The index measures important non-financial attributes including our relationship with the wider community and how we maintain high standards of business practice within a working environment where personal and employment rights are upheld.

Performance metrics for several of our principal corporate responsibility issues can be found on page 132 of the Annual Report and Accounts. The Responsibility section of our website (www.ngtgroup.com/responsibility) sets out our approach to corporate responsibility and provides greater detail of our performance over the past year.

The corporate responsibility material in this report has been independently verified by an external consultant and a verification statement is published on page 133 of the Annual Report and Accounts.