The Directors are aware of their duty under s.172 of the Companies Act 2006 to act in the way which they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole and, in doing so, to have regard (amongst other matters) to:
Shire Leasing’s vision is to provide a market-leading service through innovation and expertise, delivering flexible funding solutions to British businesses. As a Company we aim to achieve this through a combination of strategic investment in our Own Book and optimising this for the long term, alongside where appropriate, the use of external funder partnerships. The Directors have a duty to promote the success of the Company and it relies on smooth operations with appropriate policies and governance and the support of its various Stakeholders.
Our employees are the most valuable assets of the Company. Our people’s commitment is essential for us to deliver on our vision. We engage with the employees through quarterly briefings, operating meetings, regular and ad hoc meetings, video conference, telephone and email for the following topics:
• Sustainable strategies and their implementation
• Compensation, welfare and employee care
• Compliance
• Work environment safety, health and wellbeing
• Internal training
We have an employee forum to ensure our staff have a voice within the organisation and we encourage employees to make suggestions for improvements via our All Ideas Matter (AIM) incentive.
We set up strict selection procedures and standards in place to ensure non-discrimination in our employment policy. We provide employees with comprehensive training and career development opportunities. We conduct departmental and external professional training.
The Company strives to enhance employee safety and care. The Company has comprehensive staff health and safety policies, a Wellbeing Committee, induction and training programmes and encourages employee involvement in monitoring and enhancing health and safety practices throughout the company.
Throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, the Company instigated a complete work from home policy. During this time, daily communications were sent from the Board, consisting of Company updates, useful information and tips for health and mental wellbeing during the period.
Suppliers
Shire Leasing Plc works with its vendor base who introduce business ensuring operations can be carried out as efficiently as possible. Through our Supplier portal, API’s to their systems and formal trading agreements, we work with suppliers to give them maximum possible vision of our relevant requirements and ensure that invoices are paid in a timely manner.
Customers
Shire Leasing Plc aims to maximise the value for customers by optimising services, products and communications. We focus on customer requirements and satisfaction and we satisfy our customers and improve competitiveness by providing more accurate and wider service through the cooperation with other funding partners.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, we worked with all customers who contacted us for help to provide forbearance in an expedient way. We have also become accredited under the government Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), to provide additional support to our existing customers.
Funders
Our funding partners who provide the means for the Company to grow its Own Book play an essential part of the commercial strategy at Shire Leasing Plc and we hold regular communication, quarterly review meetings and audits as required. We hold an annual funder roadshow, where we present our financial results and indicate our plans for the future.
Other Industry and Regulatory Bodies
We play an active part in our industry, with many of our Directors chairing various committees or representing the Company at the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA). We also have representation on the Leasing Foundation Diversity and Inclusion Group and we have constructive and open relationships with all regulatory bodies. Compliance is maintained through our Risk Committee and Legal and Compliance function.
Shire Leasing Plc’s management and employees harness individual expertise and the Company’s strong position to create positive change for the people and communities with which they interact, in particular within the Small, Medium Enterprise (SME) marketplace.
The Directors consider it crucial that the Company maintains a reputation for high standards of business conduct. The Board is responsible for setting, monitoring and upholding the culture, values, standards, ethics, brand and reputation of the Company. Management drives the embedding of the desired culture throughout the organisation and its values of Service, Honesty, Innovation, Relationships and Efficiency are driven throughout the heart of the business in everything we do, reflected in our policies and practices and how we deal with others.
These values and standards guide decision making and promote success, including the consequences of those decisions in the long term.
