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Camelot

Serving the nation’s dreams

Corporate Responsibility Report 2008

The Advisory Panel for Corporate Responsibility is chaired by Gerry Acher, a non-executive director and Deputy Chairman of the main Board. Under his leadership it regularly takes time outside its formal agenda to discuss issues of concern without any Camelot representatives present.

In its more formal operation, the Panel tackles a rolling programme of themes in its four meetings over the year. It receives a report at each meeting from the CR Board, the body which secures the full-time focus of Camelot’s management on responsible play and all other issues of CR. It hears regularly from senior managers from each part of the business In addition, the Chief Executive has attended several Panel meetings during the year to update us on developments and we welcome the occasional visits of the Chairman, Sir Peter Middleton, along with those of other non-executive and executive directors. This all demonstrates a seriousness of commitment to CR by the leaders of the business, who are always open to frankly discussing matters raised by Panel members.

In addition to attending the quarterly meetings, each Panel member is identified with a particular stakeholder relationship and has independent meetings with relevant staff in Camelot and, on occasion, with those outside the organisation. Through this there is a focus on continuous benchmarking and best practice.

Over the past year, the Panel has watched closely while Camelot combined its focus on its existing business with bidding for Licence renewal. This has been a delicate time.

During this period of continuous evolution, Camelot has continued to keep a close eye on achieving its commitments to responsible play and other aspects of corporate responsibility.

This year, significant progress has been made in environmental performance, while more remains to be achieved, particularly in determining internal responsibilities. Next year there will need to be a strong focus on the impact of changes upon the workforce.

There are cost implications in securing the third Licence. The business will have to achieve a step change in efficiency and every area is going to have to make its contribution. One result is that the work of the Camelot Foundation has been discontinued. Some members did challenge the way in which the impacts of this change were reported, but we have been satisfied with the answers given. The Foundation approach was at arms length, whereas the match-funding that will replace it will engage employees more closely with Camelot’s community contribution, and the costs saved are part of a more cost effective raising of funds for the Good Causes – which is the core purpose of Camelot.

We will keep our eyes on what the new cost and efficiency regime means for the business. We know there will be further change but we can give stakeholders the reassurance that we find that Camelot really is a values-led business.

Geoffrey Godbold, CEO Gamcare – Responsible Play
Mark Goyder, Founder Director, Tomorrow’s Company – Suppliers
David Grayson, Director of the Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility, Cranfield University – Community
Val Hammond Chair, Roffey Park Institute – People Matters (HR)
Mahendra Jadeja, Past President, National Federation of Retail Newsagents – Retailers)
Hugh Somerville, Visiting Professor, University of Surrey – Environment
Sir Robert Worcester, Founder, MORI – Public, Players & Winners

September 2008

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