Alliance Boots

Corporate social responsibility in our Group

Last year, in our first Corporate Social Responsibility Report as a merged business, we outlined the challenge facing us as we started work on developing a unified approach to sustainability across all the diverse territories and markets in which we do business. One year on, we are pleased to report that we have made excellent progress. Our corporate social responsibility strategy is clear and well understood.

On course for a sustainable future

We have continued to develop our approach to corporate social responsibility across our large international Group. I am very proud of the way that our people are responding to the opportunities and challenges and how our colleagues are sharing ideas and best practice.

We have made positive advances during the year, but are fully aware that there is still much to do. Over the next 12 months we will be working to improve our corporate social responsibility performance in a number of ways.

We will implement governance systems embodied in our corporate social responsibility action groups and further develop support systems established by our international “champion” and “buddy” network. We will also focus on how we can communicate our performance faster and more accurately in a manner that will aid better decision-making.

Most importantly, we will continue the excellent progress we have made by constantly finding new ways to capture and guide the passion of our people.

Throughout Alliance Boots there are always individuals and teams willing to devote time and energy to making a difference. This, together with the introduction of a consistent and targeted approach to corporate social responsibility across our Group, is a winning combination. I continue to be deeply impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment shown by our people for this agenda.

Ornella Barra
Chairman of the social responsibilities committee

30 September 2008