Provident Financial has published its ninth annual corporate responsibility (CR) report. The report is designed to provide stakeholders with an account of how the company has managed the social, environmental and economic impacts that are material to its operations, products and services.

The report shows that, despite some of the most turbulent economic conditions in decades that have created challenging operating environments for businesses across a range of sectors, Provident remains committed to running its business in a sustainable and socially responsible manner. By taking a strategic approach to CR, the report shows how Provident has continued to deliver high levels of customer satisfaction, manage its environmental impacts, act responsibly in its relationships with stakeholders, and play a positive role in the communities it serves.

Peter Crook, Chief Executive of Provident Financial, commented:

“I am proud of our continued commitment to provide the people that matter to our business with an account of how we manage our CR impacts. Throughout 2009, we continued to ensure that our CR programme evolved and delivered business benefits. I am particularly pleased that we continued to maintain good relationships with socially responsible investors and have our shares included on the mainstream sustainable investment indices. I am also delighted with the progress we have made on delivering the newest strand of our community involvement programme, Good Neighbour, which seeks to address issues as diverse as skills development, anti-social behaviour and unemployment. This continued commitment to, and investment in, our CR programme enables us to maintain strong market positions in each of our businesses and continue to deliver high levels of customer satisfaction, while ensuring that we operate in a sustainable manner and are highly regarded as a corporate citizen”.

Download the 2010 CR report (PDF)