Our ESG operating structure
Our commitment to sustainability is embedded throughout our operations, from the way we make strategic decisions, to how we handle animals in our facilities and source raw materials. We have a strong governance structure which originates at the Board level and runs across the whole of our organization, creating clear lines of accountability.
The Board’s sustainability committee is chaired by Kevin Quinn and comprises Trond Williksen, CEO, Ivonne Cantu, Head of the Sustainability Working Group and Jennifer Haddouk, Company Secretary. The committee meets three times per year and is responsible for:
- Providing guidance
- Overseeing the Company’s sustainability programme
- Considering ESG opportunities and risks
- Ensuring that the Board takes sustainability considerations into account when making strategic and operational decisions
View our latest ESG/Sustainability Report:
The Sustainability Working Group (SWG) is the engine of our sustainability effort. It is composed of senior members representing our three business areas as well as our Head of Health, Safety and Environment, the Chair of our Animal Health and Welfare committee and our Head of People. Benchmark’s SWG is responsible for:
- Developing and implementing the Company’s sustainability strategy and its sustainability programme.
- Engaging with our key stakeholders such as customers, employees and shareholders to inform our strategy
Our expert groups, such as our Animal Health and Welfare Committee, bring together experts from across the business areas to focus on a specific aspect of sustainability. Their roles include:
- Develop policies and programmes aligned to our Sustainability Programme and Strategy
- Identify areas of opportunities
- Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration to allow sustainability goals to be met across the business
We have a network of environmental representatives at each of our sites which enables the implementation of policies and programmes across all our operations and allows us to identify risks and opportunities. Our environmental representatives are instrumental for:
- Setting appropriate targets and KPIs at a local level
- Ensuring that our environmental policies and commitments are being upheld
- Upholding a sustainability mindset at a site-level
