Suppliers

In 2010, we began to engage with our supply chain in the UK, recognising that, as a large company with a global presence, we need to mitigate risks across our operations and ensure that our suppliers meet our business standards.

We also recognise that we have a responsibility to encourage our suppliers to follow best practice across their business and be good corporate citizens. As a result, we have extended our engagement on CSR related issues.

We have written to our largest suppliers, detailing the policies in place at Aberdeen across our seven pillars of CSR, and attached an accompanying questionnaire. Questions asked related to environmental management, health and safety, people and human rights and charity and community involvement.

Whilst we will continue to target our largest suppliers at a global level, we are also working to integrate CSR considerations into the procurement process. This will be an area of focus for 2012.