The Round Recognition Award Winners 2021
Flying the flag for annual reports and accounts
We love nothing more than thumbing the glossy pages of annual reports and accounts. So much so that we hold an annual awards ceremony every year to prove it. And this year is no exception.
Kerry Round has taken the time to peruse all of the award submissions — she says, “there was some stiff competition this year. Thank you to everyone who sent in their entries; I relished the opportunity to admire the style, content and key message themes that were woven through all of the documents.”
Introducing our 2021 award-winning annual reports and accounts
Congratulations to all of our winners this year. Here’s the who won what part, along with Kerry’s reasonings.
Award: Best Governance Disclosures For Listed Companies (Premium & Standard Listing)
Winner: National Express PLC 2020
You have to really understand governance to be able to articulate it this well and for me, this report hits the nail on the head. It understands how the heavy hitting governance themes weave throughout the whole organisation and indeed the whole report and to express this so clearly requires collaboration in the writing stage. I liked how the stakeholders are connected to the KPIs early doors, it has an engaging risk section (not always easy to do). Notably it contains, a Section 172(1) Statement that actually talks about decisions the board takes and how those decisions impact it’s stakeholders, even disclosing challenging situations (we don’t see this too often).
Award: Showstopper Award - Best design and formatting
Winner: Halfords plc 2020
I hadn’t seen this report before and yet it will remain a firm fixture on my desk for some time. A really fabulous example of how design can be used to elevate the governance message, because after all, a picture tells a thousand words! I particularly loved the infographic used for “A Skilled and Experienced Board”.! It’s not a case of style over substance either, this report contains really considered messages on governance including board engagement with stakeholders and a comprehensive ESG strategy. There’s an awful lot I like about this report and I think you will too!
Award: Round’s report of the year
Winner: Balfour Beatty plc 2020
RGS: Winner of last year's Round Recognition ‘Illuminate’ award for their year ending 2019 report and accounts, I haven’t been let down by their2020 accounts. The inside front cover caught my intention as it hints at the ‘Cultural framework’ inside and boldly names the construction worker who is pictured on the front cover. People are priority is the message I take from this document and I couldn’t think of a more significant message in such an extraordinary year. Notably for me is the section dedicated to how the Board manages the company culture and monitors its implementation. I also really like the ‘magic moments’ found throughout the report.
The design is recognisable in its look and feel from last year, but it still remains crisp, clear and modern. The QR codes made me smile, pushing the boundaries of what is usually seen in these otherwise quite static documents. The highest scorer of all nominations received and a worthy winner of the Round’s report of the year!
Award: Special mention award
Winner: Keller Group Plc
Any nomination that comes with the words, ‘we chose yellow as a conscious decision after the gloominess of the year we had left behind’ is going to pique my interest! It didn’t quite make it to the Best Governance category but it is on its way there and is on a significant evolutionary journey. I enjoyed the design, the fabulous ESG section, I particularly like the ‘We are keller’ and the inclusion commitments (which tell me a lot about the culture of the Keller Group) and of course, the Workforce Engagement Committee report goes above and beyond what is required. I look forward to seeing next year’s report!
Award: Best Governance Disclosures For Large Private Companies
Winner: This spot was unclaimed in 2021
Perhaps it will be your company in 2022?
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