Operational accountability for CR performance, in particular for ensuring policy implementation, lies with the senior management of each operating unit. Responsibilities then follow the general management organisation structure. For example, each location has a named individual responsible for supporting and advising line management on environmental, health and safety matters as well as human resources; safety performance is one of the factors taken into account in evaluating the performance of senior managers.
CR is being integrated progressively into our overall risk management practices. Formal reviews of major ongoing and emerging risks are undertaken by the senior management (quarterly) and by the Charter International Board (every six months). The Head of Risk Management has an overall coordinating role in areas of CR to improve the sharing of best practice, collection of data and consistency of reporting. He is also responsible for ensuring that sections of the policies and procedures manual relating to risk management and business continuity planning are updated as necessary.
Risks and issues relating to CR are updated by subsidiary companies as part of their regular reviews and progress on mitigating actions is monitored regularly. Since 2009 we have placed greater emphasis on improving processes used for identification of local risks and their assessment alongside the risks identified at Executive management meetings.