Strategic Report Accolades longlist:  

Corporate reporting has become one of the primary ways in which companies communicate about business strategy with their investors and stakeholders. The Strategic Report Accolades has evaluated the effectiveness of that communication based on a framework of seven factors.

2014 is the seventh year that FutureValue’s research of annual reports will have played the key role in recognising narrative of strategic value that is to provide information to stakeholders that allows for informed investment decisions and assessment of corporate strategy and leadership.

The accolades examine how a listed company puts into words to report its strategic thinking, action and strategy-driven performance provides insight into its future potential and its worth. It is an indicator of effective strategic leadership. Effective and strategy-sensitive corporate reporting may well have a positive influence on stock market performance and at least mitigate stock market volatility. The strategic report now provides the perfect context for this essential narrative reporting.

Ian McDonald Wood, research and consulting director, FutureValue says, "There is a growing awareness among investors, reporting companies and even regulators of the true value and future potential encapsulated in a really effective annual report. This event is a timely opportunity to take the pulse and get to the heart of reporting success criteria.”

The Strategic Report Accolades shortlist will be presented before the Evolution of the Annual Report conference with the winners announced on 2 October, during the conference itself. The event will feature expert speakers who will address the current trends and issues in corporate reporting. Tickets are available here.



About the Strategic Report Index


FutureValue conducts in-depth annual examinations of the strategic reports of companies against a recognised strategic framework of seven content and interface factors. Evaluation gives a score of each of these seven underlying factors, leading to an average overall company score.



The 2014 Strategic Report Accolades


The 2014 honours are awarded in respect of annual reports for years ending between 1 January 2013 and 31 March 2014. The only qualification for inclusion and candidacy for these accolades is the publication of a strategic report with a year-end in this period.

1. Strategic leadership


This accolade acknowledges the company or group that shows the greatest clarity and rigour in its published strategic thinking with a well-articulated, integrated strategic framework to illustrate clearly where it has been; where it is now; where it is going; and, how it will get there. This is the supreme accolade of the year.

• Fresnillo
• Land Securities Group
• Lloyds Banking Group

• Marks and Spencer Group
• Rexam

• Unilever
 

2. Best business model


This accolade recognises the most effective exposition of a company or group's business model. The business model is the foundation of the strategic framework, defining the logic of the business and the basis of sustainable profitability across the value system of its enterprise. A well-defined business model leads to clear and consistent corporate goals, objectives and strategy.

• British American Tobacco
• Experian
• Halma
• Marks and Spencer Group
• Provident Financial
• Rexam

• Spirent Communications

• Tate and Lyle
 

3. Best key performance indicators


This accolade recognises the company that declares the most effective set of KPIs. Effective strategy is about the past and the present as well as the future. Of crucial importance in this are the metrics that measure operational performance to provide Executives and Board with an effective means to monitor performance against strategy.

• ARM Holdings
• Balfour Beatty

• Fresnillo
• Halma

• ITV

• Land Securities Group

• Lloyds Banking Group
• 
Provident Financial
 

4. Best strategic risk


This accolade acknowledges the company that is most effective in revealing its sensitivity to its future through the presentation of risks and uncertainties that may influence achievement of its declared goals and objectives. Good strategic risk reporting also explains risk appetite, risk governance and risk management processes as well as specific factors.

• Domino Printing Sciences
• Fresnillo
• Halma
• Land Securities Group
• Legal and General Group
• Marks and Spencer Group

• TUI Travel
• Unilever
 

5. Best strategic capability


This accolade rewards the company most effective in showing its continuing investment in the strengths and resources essential to its growth and sustained success. Companies that think strategically know that it is important to show in their annual reports how persistent investment in these hidden assets is fundamental to their continuing success.

• AstraZeneca

• Aviva
• Coca-Cola HBC

• Lloyds Banking Group
• Marks and Spencer Group
• Rexam
• Unilever

• Weir Group
 

6. Best shared strategic value


This sixth accolade is for the company that has been best able to show in its annual report how it integrates its approach to social and environmental matters into its overall strategy for the business to share value with all. Shared strategic value is about the fundamental sustainability of a business to the advantage and benefit of all its stakeholders.

• Anglo American

• Catlin Group
• Coca-Cola HBC

• Galliford Try
• Johnson Matthey
• Lloyds Banking Group

• Rio Tinto
• Unilever