Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility
Governance
Allcooper are implementing some of the very best policies
and practices for businesses.
The
owners of Allcooper have protected the firm by creating a Shareholder
Agreement and a Family Charter, which outlines how the business responds
to the needs of the wider family and the future of Allcooper, in terms
of ownership, management and employment.
Allcooper believes it takes an enlightened view of this subject and
in doing so protects its owners, employees, suppliers and customers.
The Environment
As a business grows, it is forced to confront and change many of the
systems and processes it has created over the years. Global warming
has become the primary concern, and each company has to adapt to this
new reality.
At Allcooper, we are taking measured steps, to ensure that we adopt
best practice to help combat this potential disaster, by reducing
our carbon footprint.
Our Directors choose fuel efficient cars (this is not a recent phenomenon),
with our MD clocking up over 13,000 miles in his Smart car last year.
- We are exploring ways in which we can cool and heat our offices, without permanently relying on gas heating and electric air-conditioning.
- One example is that we have invested in a heat reflective coating to our office windows to keep the building as cool as possible in summer, and the heat in during the winter.
- For hot drinks, we have removed kettles and replaced them with more efficient water boilers.
- We are exploring the use of Bio-fuels for our 40 plus vehicles.
- We are investing in automatic Vehicle Tracking systems, to ensure our vehicles travel the shortest distance to calls.
- We are investing in automatic scheduling for our field based staff to ensure that the most efficient daily routes are planned.
- We are investing in technology to make our operation a paperless environment.
- We are planning a recycling initiative to manage and minimise our waste created more efficiently.
- We have identified ISO 14001 as our next priority accreditation and have entered the process.
Charitable Giving and Charitable Works
Allcooper recognise the responsibility it has to lead in this very
important area. There are tremendous opportunities to build trust
and pride within the company by participating in and supporting good
works. The Directors of Allcooper have a policy of matching funds
raised by their staff for certain events. The will also pay entry
fees for events if an individual raises over a certain amount themselves.
So far this year -
- For family reasons, Allcooper gives a substantial annual donation to Cystic Fibrosis irrespective of company performance, or any other charitable initiatives it supports.
- A monthly office dress down day generates several hundred pounds per year for local charities.
- We are participating in the 11th Annual Dragon Boat Race in aid of CLIC Sargent and hoping to raise £1500.
- Allcooper have committed to support charitable dinners for retiring sportsmen, charities and individuals.
- Allcooper have supported numerous events and organisations locally, from girl’s football teams to village fund raising.
However, we know that we can always do more.
Families in Business
Roman Cooper holds this subject close to his heart. As one of the
very first cohort to study the subject of Families in Business within
an MBA course, he has become intensely aware of the impact both positive
and negative, that a business can have on a family. He is widely read
on this subject, with his specialist subject being Management Development
within family firms. He brings 20 years of personal experience to
this subject, both good and bad. His aim is to ensure that the family
experience of working together is a positive one for other family
businesses, by adopting a parallel approach to both family and business.
He has spoken for a variety of professional organisations, as they
attempt to broaden the knowledge of this subject in the wider business
world. He has very close links to the private bankers Coutts
who have championed this subject, and who have created a talent pool
and knowledge base that previously didn’t exist.