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Foreword: Kirstie Donnelly MBE, CEO City & Guilds Chapter 1 Our approach to Responsible Business Chapter 2 Progress across responsible business strategy Chapter 3 Governance & reporting Chapter 4 GRI Index Report 2023 Published 1 August 2024 covering the year to 31 August 2023 Responsible BusinessResponsible Business Report 2023 4CEO Statement 6About City & Guilds 7 Our approach to responsible business 8Responsible Business strategy 10Our context and material issues 13Progress across responsible business strategy 14People 26Product 28Planet 31Governance & reporting 32Our governance structure 36Key policies and standards 38Engaging stakeholders4 Responsible Business Report 22 / 23 As we present our inaugural Responsible Business Report, in accordance with GRI Standards, I find myself reflecting on a year defined by significant macroeconomic, political, and social disruption. The economy continued to grapple with post-pandemic recovery, inflation, and geopolitical tensions. Artificial intelligence emerged prominently, offering vast opportunities for learners and organisations while introducing complex ethical challenges to carefully consider and navigate. Simultaneously, climate change remained front and centre as a critical issue impacting us all, with 2023 assessed as the hottest year for the planet on record. A gainst this complex backdrop, City & Guilds remained resolutely focused on the same purpose which has defined us for over 145 years: to help people, organisations and economies develop their skills for growth. Our objective now and over the long-term is to expand access to the skills and credentials necessary for a future ready workforce, ensuring opportunity is open to all while addressing key skills shortages. I’m proud that 3.5 million people benefited from our qualifications and funding in 2023, with 72% of learners progressing to sustained employment. We are committed to being an inclusive, fair and equitable organisation. This means championing under-represented groups through our products and services, while walking the walk in our own organisation by fostering an inclusive and equitable culture in which our people thrive. I’m delighted to share continued progress in providing opportunities and gateways to sustained employment for disadvantaged groups, such as prison-leavers and refugees, with clear positive impacts for individuals and society. In our own organisation, I’m proud of the diversity of our leadership community, which I believe is a source of strength for our organisation and the people and organisations we serve. However, we do not take this progress for granted and we remain focused on implementing the necessary changes to sustain progress over the long-term. We are also committing to play an active role in supporting the Paris Agreement climate goals: to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius, and achieve global net zero emissions by 2050. The size of the task is like no other humanity has faced. Nonetheless we believe we have a vital role to play in equipping society with the green skills needed to transition to a low-carbon economy. In 2023 our Green Skills agenda continued to grow to meet increasing demand. Kirstie Donnelly MBE, CEO City & Guilds 3.5m people benefited from our qualifications and funding in 2023Responsible Business Report 22 / 235 We are also committed to reducing our emissions associated with our day-to-day activities, in line with the Paris Agreement. We have reduced our operational emissions by 10% since 2019, however more needs to be done if we are to keep pace with our emissions reduction targets. Despite the rapid pace of change and uncertainties around us, I remain optimistic that unrelenting focus on our purpose - to help people, organisations and economies to develop their skills for growth – enables us to stand strong in the face of complex challenges, and play our role in creating a more equitable and sustainable future for all. In this report, we share our commitments, progress, challenges and learnings. Not only will this help shape our own actions, we hope that it can support other organisations who share our values to take action too. Kirstie Donnelly MBE, CEO City & Guilds 51% female representation in senior leadership “Our purpose drives us to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.”6 Responsible Business Report 22 / 23 For over 145 years City & Guilds has worked with people, organisations and economies to help them identify and develop the skills they need to thrive. We are a UK registered charity and a Royal Charter organisation and we understand the life changing link between skills development, social mobility, prosperity and success. We combine commercial delivery with social enterprise and charity to develop and deliver high-quality skills training and credentials – face to face and online – that lead to jobs and meet the changing needs of industry. About this report This annual responsible business report has been prepared in accordance with the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) Standards for the period 1 September 2022 – 31 August 2023, using GRI 1: Foundation 2021. This report should be read in conjunction with the City & Guilds’ Annual Report 2022/23 and City & Guilds’ Impact Report 2022/23. If you have any queries regarding this report or our Responsible Business strategy please email us at: responsiblebusiness@cityandguilds.comOur Responsible Business approach Our Responsible Business strategy Context and material issues Chapter 38 Responsible Business Report 22 / 23 City & Guilds is a global leader in education and skills development, with a longstanding commitment to providing the highest quality training and qualifications. Across our entire value chain, we strive to make a positive impact on people, the planet, and the economy. C onsidering our purpose, strengths, and the insights from our materiality assessment, our Responsible Business approach highlights our key priority areas and commitments. This approach is crafted to ensure that our efforts align with our mission to drive positive change through skills development while addressing the critical issues that matter most to our stakeholders. Our approach focuses on three core pillars: people, product, and planet, reflecting our commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable future. By concentrating on these areas, we aim to leverage our strengths to create significant, measurable impacts that benefit both our organisation and the wider community.Responsible Business Report 22 / 239 People Be an inclusive, fair and equitable organisation. Champion under-represented and disadvantaged groups, advocating for more inclusive and equitable environments. Foster an inclusive and equitable culture in which all colleagues can thrive. Products Help people, organisations and economies grow. Identify and use individuals’ destination and organisational outcomes to inspire long-term investment in skills. Use Responsible Business drivers as a core part of strategic decision making when developing products and services to ensure we upskill people to transition to a healthy economy. Planet Play an active role in the transition to net zero economy. Equip society with the green skills needed for the net zero transition. Reduce our operational greenhouse gas emissions in line with global net zero goal. Underpinned by effective governance, policies and impact evaluation. U P S K I L L I N G F O R A S U ST A I N A B L E E C O N O M Y T A C K L I N G INE Q U A L I T Y Sustained Employment Strengthened Organisations Skilled SocietyNext >