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Environmental and social responsibility
Governance

Corporate governance: efficiency and transparency

Since its creation in December 1995, Geodis has always taken care of the smooth running of its corporate bodies in accordance with their legal and best practice obligations, as well as the full transparency of the information given to its shareholders and the market. Thus, from summer 1997, Geodis Board of Directors implemented specialised committees for preparing and facilitating the duties of the Board. From May 2003, three independent Directors offered the benefits of their experience to the Board. This expertise was acquired outside the transport and logistics sector, thus guaranteeing an independent consideration of the questions likely to arise in the event of conflicts of interests. In addition, since December 2004, the Board of Directors formalised in an internal regulation, the terms and conditions of the exercise of its duties, particularly in the area of the review and approval of the major strategic, economic and financial commitments of the Geodis group, budget approval, and the agreement granted for significant acquisitions, partnerships or restructuring. Three specialised committees were formed in order to prepare decisions of the Board on specific matters.

 

The Audit and Accounts Committee’s mission comprises the review of draft financial statements to be submitted to the Board, the verification of the correct application of accounting principles and standards and the reliability of the flow of information. It also reviews the summary of company risks, the conditions under which the Statutory Auditors’ assignment was carried out, as well as control and audit procedures.

The Executive Management Remuneration Committee’s main mission is to advise the Board on the recruitment, appointment or removal of Geodis executive officers, to propose to the Board the fixed, or proportional remuneration and other benefits of the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and, as the case may be, the Chief Executive Officer. It proposes to the Board the setting-up or renewal of stock option plans, on the initiative of the Executive Management. The Committee also gives its opinion on the suitability of an Independent Director candidate for an Administrative position or a Director.


The Strategic Committee’s main mission is to consider the positioning of the Geodis group in the different markets in which it operates, on the major areas of development of the Group for the medium to long term as well as on the resources necessary to undertake this development. It can also examine the adequacy of the composition and operation of the Board and the specialised committees to the proper fulfilment of missions that have been allocated to them.




By signing the UN's Global Pact in 2003, Geodis committed itself to respecting the 10 fundamental principles regarding human rights, working conditions, environmental standards and the fight against corruption. Concrete measures are regularly applied and the Group's employees participate with enthusiasm.

In 2008, Geodis reaffirmed its commitment to the UN Global Compact. Initiatives have been launched and company staff are actively involved.


The principles are the following:

Human rights
Principle 1: businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
Principle 2: businesses should make sure they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour standards
Principle 3: businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
Principle 4: businesses should eliminate all forms of forced and compulsory labour.
Principle 5: businesses should ensure the effective abolition of child labour.
Principle 6: businesses should eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment
Principle 7: businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
Principle 8: businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
Principle 9: businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-corruption
Principle 10: businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery. The new code of ethics and proper conduct will be implemented within the Group progressively at the same time as the new organisation by business.