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Our stakeholder groups

Our stakeholders are important to us, providing valuable insight on how our activities are perceived, and the social, environmental and economic contributions we can make and issues that could impact the Group.

We commission research to inform the development of management thinking, and to engage the sector on specific issues. We chair a number of sector based committees, particularly on technical and health and safety issues. Our stakeholders are integral to defining the key sustainability focus areas that matter most, upon which our sustainability framework is based. 

Stakeholder group How we engage

Customers and local communities

We put customers at the heart of everything we do, and many of our customers originate from the community where their new home is based. The local community is a vital part of what makes a great place to live in and we work with them through the planning and construction stages of development.  

  • Our Customer Charter: sets out how we engage with customers.
  • Our Group Community Policy sets out to ensure that the places and homes we create respond to the local community needs through provision of opportunities for dialogue, consultation and participation in the planning process.
  • HBF/NHBC Customer Satisfaction Surveys monitor our customers’ satisfaction independently.
  • Customer sustainable living guide and nature-friendly gardening guide provided on home purchase.         
  • Barratt Consult Manual sets out how we engage with local communities.
  • Housing development projects we often work with schools, charities and other local organisations on issues such as safety and skills.
  • Post-occupancy stakeholder research.

Employees

Ensuring we engage our employees by providing the right training, information and support is critical to driving and achieving our sustainability ambitions, and we know that the sustainability credentials of employers is a key consideration for attracting future talent.

  • Workforce Forums where key elements of the sustainability strategy can be discussed with representatives from across the business.
  • Role specific training on how we expect our employees to embed sustainability in what they do every day
  • Access to engagement tools such as the Barratt Eco-Calculator
  • Communication of sustainability activity and progress in briefings, our Foundations employee magazine and on our intranet site.
  • Sustainability newsletters and factsheets circulated to all employees quarterly.
  • An annual employee engagement survey that includes questions on sustainability issues.

·       Consultation on the sustainability issues that matter most. 

Investors and analysts

We aim to provide a sustainable financial return for our shareholders, ensuring they have access to the information required to factor sustainability into investment decisions

  • Providing transparent disclosure around financial and non-financial performance.
  • Investor relations programme: feedback is independently collected and reported to the Board.
  • We are a CDP Supporter submitting to all three disclosures: Climate Change, Forests and Water.
  • We are an official supporter of the Taskforce for Climate Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD).
  • We respond to sustainability benchmarks and indices.

Mortgage providers

Our engagement with mortgage lenders via industry forums has seen a number of mortgage lenders offering a ‘Green Mortgage’ product which applies a discount for customers purchasing energy efficient homes. All of our standard housetype range are designed with the intention to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of 'B' or above when constructed, which meets the criteria. 

Landowners, agents, development partners, local authorities and housing associations

We recognise the value that our partners have in realising the environmental, social and economic potential of a new development:

  • Barratt Partnerships is our dedicated national team for public land. They have been selected for all Homes England regional Delivery Partner Panels.
  • Typically our consultations will include Homes England on the issues that matter most, as are housing associations such as Sovereign and L&Q.
  • Our website has a section dedicated to land and landowners and includes information on our actions on encouraging biodiversity.

Suppliers and subcontractors

Our suppliers and sub-contractors are vital in supporting us to achieve our sustainability ambitions.

  • Group Procurement function: selects suppliers in accordance with a formal process and engages to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
  • At regular supplier forums attended by CEO and Chief Operating Officer with sustainability included in the agenda and industry experts such as The Carbon Trust, invited to attend.
  • We have worked with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to develop a matrix to assess the supply chain maturity in key priority areas.
  • Involvement in surveys and workshops to understand their sustainability issues and discuss improvements.
  • Supply Chain Sustainability School breakfast briefings, roadshows and workshops for sub-contractors.

Peers and trade associations, charities, NGOs and research partners, UK Government and related agencies

As a leading sustainable housebuilder, we aim to set the bar high for sustainability in the wider industry contributing and sponsoring research, industry initiatives and policy development.

  • Member of Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), National Home Building Council (NHBC), Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) and Home Builders Federation (HBF).
  • HBF Board: Our Chief Executive sits on this and we have representatives on the Sustainability and Technical Group.
  • We sit on the NHBC standards committee.
  • Construction Leadership Council: we are an active member in this government and industry partnership taking forward implementation of the Construction 2025 Strategy.
  • Heat and Customer Protection Scheme: we participate to ensure protection and set customer services standards for heat networks.
  • Charities and campaign groups: we support these at a national and local level, engaging NGOs to inform our approach to sustainability, and to raise the profile of sustainability across the Group.
  • RSPB: national partnership, managed by a joint steering committee.
  • Wildlife Trusts, The Land Trust and Royal Horticultural Society – we work with these organisations on ecology and biodiversity initiatives.
  • Construction Industry Research and Information Association.
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