Good governance is fundamental to the advance of our business. We support and comply with the provisions and principles of governance set out in the UK Combined Code on Corporate Governance (the UK Code) and the Dutch Corporate Governance Code (the Dutch Code). We maintain standards of corporate governance and disclosure as applicable to companies listed on the stock exchanges of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States. In the Netherlands, for example, we were early adopters of the Tabaksblat Code, initiated by our former chairman, which stipulates disclosure of corporate governance policies and practices. Information and documents detailing our governance procedures are available to stakeholders at www.reedelsevier.com.
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The RE values – Customer Focus, Valuing our People, Passion for Winning, Innovation and Boundarylessness – are at the heart of what we do.
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The Reed Elsevier Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (Code), disseminated to every employee, is a guide to our corporate and individual behaviour.
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The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) links businesses around the world with UN agencies, labour and civil society in support of ten principles encompassing human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption.
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Anti-corruption requires a transparent legal system – a clear set of laws that are freely and easily accessible to all, strong enforcement structures, and an independent judiciary to protect citizens against abuse of power by the state, individuals or others.
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We have included a business review in each of the last five years as an integral part of our Annual Report.