Background:
Since Week 7, we have been studying and analysing the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (UNSDGs), plus selected UK PLCs and their Annual Reports (Cineworld PLC / Bloomsbury PLC, as examples). The purpose of this has been to focus on how CEOs, and other Directors and Governors, all contribute to the financial performance of the company, plus also contribute to meeting financial, legal, CSR, ESG, and statutory requirements placed upon them by various Corporate Governance institutions (especially the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) code. All PLCs are also under pressure to meet the UN SDGs 2030. That way, in theory, companies and PLCs can ensure their long-term stability and sustainability.
Task:
Select two UK-based PLCs from the same sector (e.g., Next plc and JD Sports plc are in the same sector – fashion retail). See: https://www.hl.co.uk/shares/stock-market-summary/ftse-all-share / OR / https://www.londonstockexchange.com/indices/ftse-all-share/constituents/table for a list of all UK PLCs within the FTSE markets. Go to their website, and download their most recent Annual Report. Read and study this Annual Report, specifically the sections on (i) Performance, and (ii) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Using data and information from these Annual Reports, combined with what we have studied in class since
Week 7, write a 2,500-word report in pairs (two students = one pair), comparing one company’s performance with another, using this indicative structure:
Introduction: (max 250 words), where you explain, in detail, the industry and market your chosen PLCs are in, their competitors and rivals, their customer profiles, and any key trends affecting the industry / market they are in.
Main Body: (max 2,000-words)
Compare and analyse, in detail, your two chosen PLCs, focussing on their:
– financial and market performance
– CSR policies and actions, and how these PLCs are in a position to meet the UN SDGs 2030 (or not)
Conclusion: (max 250 words), where you explain and analyse how all companies and nations need to adjust their management in order to meet the UN SDGs 2030