The Northern Way
Making great food in a responsible way is at the heart of our business.
The Northern Way is the name we give to our programme of corporate social responsibility in Northern Foods, which is central to the way we do business. It encompasses all the things we do to ensure that the company and everyone within it work in a manner that respects our responsibilities to each other, our business partners, society, and the world around us.
It’s a constantly evolving programme of attitudes and actions that are structured to make Northern Foods a better citizen of the planet, a better producer, a better place to work, a better neighbour in the communities we serve, and, most important of all, a more successful business.
The principles of The Northern Way are in complete harmony with our desires to increase efficiency, make the best use of resources, and make well-considered investments that together deliver entirely positive contributions towards the company’s financial objectives and its obligations to develop shareholder value.
In 2010, Northern Foods was ranked, for the second successive year, in the gold band of Business in the Community’s annual Corporate Responsibility Index, the UK’s leading voluntary benchmark of corporate responsibility. The gold band recognises that Northern Foods demonstrates openness and transparency in publicly reporting environmental and social issues, and programmes and performances, and that the company’s corporate responsibility strategy includes clear and measurable targets.
The Northern Way is built around the four principal pillars of corporate responsibility recommended by Business in the Community, and which are listed below together with a brief description of our interpretation of each one. The details of our progress on each one can be seen by clicking the links:
- Environment – limiting our impact on the planet
- Marketplace – making food that’s safe, ethical, and clearly labelled
- Workplace – providing a workplace that’s safe, rewarding, and promotes wellbeing
- Community – helping young people learn about food and the food industry
The conduct of the Northern Way is the specific responsibility of the Group Operations Director, and is overseen by the operations board, which is chaired by the Chief Executive. It is developed by the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, who works directly with all operational divisions and departments. Employees at every level are responsible for putting The Northern Way into action.
Progress on key performance indicators of The Northern Way is monitored and evaluated at production sites and business units through daily, weekly and monthly reports. These are combined with periodic reviews in other areas of the programme, including evaluations by external bodies, and all are reported monthly to the operations board. The results are then communicated across the business in monthly cascade packs to all employees.
Official champions help drive specific projects, but as everyone in the company is involved, informed and committed to play their part, inevitably unofficial champions emerge – people with good ideas, or who drive or implement change in their jobs particularly well. Recognition of such efforts through commendations and other rewards play an important part in sustaining the momentum of The Northern Way.
In addition, an annual awards ceremony recognises the most outstanding contributions, and takes place at the annual Northern Way conference, where key players involved in promoting the programme across all departments meet to network, share information and learn new methods of delivery.
