Annual company report insights 2020

Surveying FTSE reporting

This year our survey of annual company reports published by FTSE firms focuses on the hot topics that companies themselves are focusing on, including COVID-19. COVID-19 illustrates how quickly an environmental, social and governance (ESG) issue can affect financial returns, reinforcing the need for resilient business models and the importance of fostering relationships with all stakeholders not just shareholders.

The growing awareness of the relationship between purpose and profit and growing recognition by companies of the need to deliver sustained value to a range of stakeholders is redefining the social contract between business and society. ESG factors now feature prominently in boardrooms and gain ever more attention from investors.

Our survey examines reporting trends across five areas – purpose, people, planet, profit, sometimes referred to as ‘the 4 Ps’, and the pandemic. It includes insight on responses to changing report requirements, areas for improvement, regulatory hotspots and examples of disclosure.

Purpose

Purpose is a topic that has come to the fore in recent years and has now become a key focus in many annual company reports. As an articulation of why a company exists, it typically captures the way in which it aims to create a positive impact on stakeholders. In the UK, consideration of purpose follows on from the directors’ duty under s172 to promote the business’s long-term success while having regard to its reputation and stakeholders.

People

Companies frequently describe their workforce as their most prized asset. However, only 58% described value created for employees in their business model. The past year also saw the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code and changes to the law introduce the need for more insight into companies’ relationships with their workforce. Another hot topic included within annual company reports in this area relates to diversity.

Planet

Investors, regulators and other business stakeholders continue to demand better disclosures on climate change matters. 64% of companies made reference to the Task Force for Climate related Disclosures (TCFD) with 22% making fulsome disclosures in line with its recommendations. 10% adopted the new Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements earlier than required.

Profit

Companies operate within a wider economic ecosystem, impacting on and benefiting from economic and social prosperity. In this section, we consider value creation, capital allocation, executive remuneration in relation to ESG factors, company resilience and long-term viability, Brexit, dividend policies and alternative performance measures.

Pandemic

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been significant for companies across numerous industries and jurisdictions. In this section, we look at some of the emerging annual reporting trends for a sample of 20 FTSE 350 March year-ends. We examined board responses and governance, stakeholder engagement, the impact on risks, going concern and viability statements and the financial statements.

Contacts

Veronica Poole

Partner

+44 (0)20 7007 0884

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Amanda Swaffield

Director

+44 (0)20 7303 5330

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Peter Westaway

Director

+44 (0)20 7007 9024

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