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Rating Our Performance

In 2007 we set out to improve further in the key indices of social responsibility. The highlights include:

  • Pearson achieved the highest ranking (Platinum) in the Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index – placing the company joint sector leader
  • We were named media sector global leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index
  • FTSE4Good member.
  • We were ranked 7th in the UK’s Business in the Community Race for Opportunity index assessing company performance across the race arena.

Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index

Business in The Community (BITC) introduced the Corporate Responsibility Index in 2002. The index is a voluntary self-complete survey which benchmarks corporate responsibility performance. In 2006, Pearson rose in the rankings of the top 100 ‘Companies that Count’ with the company score rising from 58% in 2002 to 95% in 2006. Results for 2007 will be released in May 2008.

In 2007 we were also awarded a Big Tick by BITC – an award of excellence which recognises companies’ social impact and, in Pearson’s case, the use of technology to transform student learning.

Dow Jones Sustainability Indices

Pearson was named Global Sector leader in both the DJSI Global Index and the DJSI STOXX Sustainability Index of European Companies. The DJSI Global Index consists of more than 300 companies representing the top 10% of the largest 2,500 companies in the Dow Jones Global Indexes – based on an assessment against a series of sustainability criteria. The DJSI STOXX Sustainability index tracks the financial performance of the top 20% of European companies drawn from the largest 600 companies in the Euro STOXX index.

FTSE4Good

In June 2001, FTSE – a joint venture half owned by Pearson and half owned by the London Stock Exchange – introduced the first of a series of ‘socially responsible indices’ alongside its other financial products. The FTSE4Good Index series is designed for use by retail SRI fund products and for fulfilling institutional mandates. All licensing revenues from FTSE4Good indices are donated to UNICEF.

FTSE4Good excludes certain industries including tobacco and armaments. Companies must pass the FTSE4Good selection criteria relating to environmental sustainability, relationships with stakeholders and upholding and supporting human rights. An independent advisory committee sets the selection criteria. Membership is subject to a bi-annual review. Pearson has been included within the FTSE4Good indices since inception seven years ago.

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