STING recognises Aitken Spence Sustainability Strategy

Aitken Spence PLC was ranked among the top three corporate entities for sustainability, governance and CSR in the country by the STING Corporate Accountability Index 2012, for the second year in a row.

Unveiled in the February issue of LMD, the index consists of 63 leading companies in Sri Lanka, including the LMD 50 Companies and nine key State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) which are rated on a compulsory basis.

With an outstanding a score of 82.05, which is only 0.4 points short of the top-ranking Dialog Axiata, Aitken Spence is the highest ranked diversified holdings company in the index for the third consecutive year.

The scores are derived from a proprietary model developed by the STING Consultants to reflect a holistic and integrated approach to CSR, sustainability and governance. The hierarchical ranking of companies in Sri Lanka is based on each organisation’s performance in the areas of measurement and disclosure, corporate values, stakeholder engagement, identifying impacts, risks and opportunities, policy coverage and management and governance.   

“A strategy for sustainable business is a necessity to succeed in today’s global market place. We see corporate sustainability as a proactive effort to ensure long-term viability, profitability and integrity of the business. We attempt to capture this perspective in our sustainability strategy that encompasses operations across a variety of sectors. Establishing and nurturing such a corporate sustainability framework is an ongoing challenge for a diversified business; but it is a challenge we are wholly committed to, everyday, as we are convinced of its ability to create long-term value not only for shareholders but to all our key stakeholders,” said Aitken Spence Director and Head of Business Development and Plantations Dr. Rohan Fernando.

The company embeds sustainability principles within the group through its Integrated Sustainability Policy-implemented under the overall direction of the Board of Management and Board of Directors- taking a 360-degree view on corporate sustainability, including a wide-range of aspects it deems necessary to be addressed. Compliance, ethical conduct, awareness of global issues, sustainable processes, governance, stakeholder engagement, human rights, health and safety, information security, continuous improvement, quality, talent management, supply chain management, innovation, customer service and credible reporting to name a few. The policy is accessible to the public via the corporate website.

Aitken Spence PLC is among Sri Lanka’s leading and most respected corporate entities with operations in South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange since 1983, it has major interests in hotels, travel, maritime services, logistics and power generation. The group also has a significant presence in plantations, printing, financial services, insurance, information technology and garments.