Rachel Pickles

Corporate Social Responsibility 

Acting with integrity is a central part of the culture at KPMG. We strongly believe in behaving ethically, safeguarding the environment and building positive links with the communities around us.

In fact, we think that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is more than just an add-on to our business. It’s much more important than that. People want to work for, buy from and deal with companies that make a positive contribution to the world. So responsibility and commercial success can, and should, go hand–in-hand.

For more than 12 years, KPMG has built a vibrant and coordinated programme of Corporate Social Responsibility that involves a range of external organisations as well as large numbers of KPMG's people. Last year our total investment in the community was £9.8 million.

In 2006, we set up a board-level CSR leadership team, chaired by Ashley Steel, Global Chair, Transport, to set the vision and strategy for CSR and to embed it into our daily business activities.

Haiti Earthquake Appeal

KPMG member firms around the globe are coordinating efforts to provide support to some of the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Extensive funding is required to help re-build the lives of the Haitian people. The crippling destruction to the limited infrastructure continues to disrupt aid and relief agencies who are trying to provide survivors with basic shelter, food and clean water. We are currently looking at how KPMG can contribute in the long-term. In the short-term, we are globally, through KPMG International, contributing US$500,000 to the relief efforts. KPMG UK are further matching employee donations up to £50,000. Our thoughts go out to those affected by this disaster and we will continue to look at ways in which KPMG can contribute in the longer term.

Volunteering

During 2007-08, 39 percent of our people took part in our community volunteering schemes, giving more than 38,000 hours in total to key areas, such as: education, social inclusion and the environment. All staff can use 3.5 hours per month to volunteer and our offices have CSR forums which help to decide on the local priorities.

Environment

This is an important focus for us. As a major organisation, we understand the importance of reducing our environmental impact wherever possible. Our achievements in environmental performance include:

  • All our UK offices are now certified ISO14001, the leading international standard for environmental management systems.
  • Our Responsible Consumption Programme is developing a culture which encourages employees to be aware of, and actively contribute to, the firm being environmentally responsible.
  • 88% of the paper used for internal, external and marketing collateral use is made from 100% recycled material.
  • Over 90 percent of the electricity used in our buildings is now from renewable sources. This has saved 73,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions since May 2001.
  • Last year over five million travel miles were saved through car-sharing schemes and audio and video conferencing.
  • In 2006 we formed a Utilities Steering Group, which includes contributions from two of our key contractors, to examine ways to conserve energy, water and other resources in our offices.
  • Sustainability is central to the design and development of KPMG’s new HQ, including challenging targets to reduce carbon emissions, water use and waste.
  • We were the first organisation to make Oyster cards free for all our people.

Charitable giving

We have achieved the Business in the Community PerCent Standard since 1998, which means we’ve invested more than one per cent of proprietorship profits to the community each year.

During 2007-08 we made nearly 1,400 charitable donations totalling £1 million. Every year we ask our people to vote for the charity of the year, which our staff and partners can then raise money for. Last year we supported Help the Hospices, raising over £1.2 million for the charity. This year the firm is supporting the Alzheimer’s Society and our staff have been busy fundraising through a variety of activities - including quiz nights, bake sales, sponsored runs and even a sponsored trek of the Great Wall of China!

We’re proud to be the first professional firm to co-sponsor the new KPMG Academy in Hackney, East London, with the City of London Corporation. This new school, opening in September 2009, will be a mixed and non-denominational academy for 11-18 year olds. For more information visit www.cityacademies.co.uk/hackney/

KPMG Foundation

Set up in 2000, the KPMG Foundation is a totally independent organisation which we have funded through a £10 million capital sum. The Foundation focuses on education and social projects for the disadvantaged and underprivileged. These projects range from helping young offenders after their release, to providing bursaries for dyslexic children. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.kpmg.co.uk/about/foundation/index.cfm

An international approach

KPMG's global network is providing international leadership in tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges, by building capacity and creating sustainable communities. Through our active participation in leading global citizenship initiatives, KPMG is making a difference in many corners of the globe and in pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals. For more information visit www.kpmg.com/globalcareers/

Our recent awards

We have won numerous national and international awards in recent years including:

  • Business in the Community Awards for Excellence – Five ‘Big Ticks’ for our community and environment programmes.
  • Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index – Platinum level (highest) in the UK’s leading benchmark of responsible business.
  • Sunday Times ‘Best Big Companies To Work For’ – Best big company for Giving Something Back