Professional development

On appointment, Directors are provided with induction training and information about the Group, the role of the Board and the matters reserved for its decision, the terms of reference and membership of the Board Committees and the latest financial information about the Group. This is supplemented by meetings with the Company’s legal and other professional advisers, where appropriate, and visits to key locations and meetings with certain senior executives to develop the Directors’ understanding of the business.

Throughout their period of office, Non-executive Directors are continually updated on the Group’s business, its markets, social responsibility matters and other changes affecting the Group and the industry in which it operates, including changes to the legal and governance environment and the obligations on themselves as Directors. In 2011, the Directors received updates on various best practice, regulatory and legislative developments, including the Davies Report and the UK Bribery Act.