Introduction
JJB recognises that it has a duty to ensure that its business is conducted in a socially responsible manner resulting in high standards of both social and environmental behaviour. Through its employees, the Company aims to comply with all applicable laws in order to meet, and where possible exceed, best practice conditions in both the national and global markets within which it operates.
Corporate responsibility is monitored on an ongoing basis via the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee. The CSR Committee comprises a number of other senior executives; it is tasked with ensuring that the range of controls which JJB has in place to manage CSR risks are operating effectively and that responses to changes in current legislation are implemented in a timely manner.
Commitment
JJB is committed to minimising its negative social impacts and wishes to be recognised as a leading corporate citizen within all areas of its operation. The Company continues to be selected for inclusion in the FTSE4Good index, launched in July 2001, which is designed to measure the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards, and to facilitate investment in those companies. FTSE4Good is used as a basis for the creation of socially responsible investment products.
During 2004, JJB strengthened its position on the Business in the Community index of Corporate Responsibility. We also continue to be included in the Business in the Environment index of Corporate Environmental Engagement and were delighted to be recognised by them as one of the "Biggest Movers" i.e. companies included on the index with an increase in average score of greater than 20 per cent. This is a clear indication of our continued commitment to corporate responsibility engagement.
JJB was also pleased to be to be included in the Kempen SNS Smaller Europe SRI index, launched in October 2003, which is the first index to track the erformance of smaller companies in Europe.
Inclusion within the indices referred to above will allow JJB to compare and assess how we integrate responsible business practices through our organisation with those of our peers, identifying opportunities for improvement, and will also provide further demonstration to current and potential shareholders that we are compliant with best practice.
CR guiding principles
JJB Sports is fully committed to ensuring its business is conducted in a socially responsible manner and has developed a set of broad corporate responsibility principles which will guide its future progress. These principles relate to community relations, environmental issues and ethical labour standards.