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Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report 2026
Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report 2026
Strategic report
Governance
Financials
Other information
Stakeholder engagement continued
Our local communities and non-governmental organisations (‘NGOs’)
How did we engage with them? – Personal meetings, roadshows, conferences. Annual and interim reports and presentations. Our investor relations website is used as our primary digital communications tool and is available to all shareholders, including 11 hours of dedicated video content. – Regulatory News Service (‘RNS’) announcements. – Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’). – Investor perception study and regular feedback survey. – – – Online presentations aimed at retail investors. – Private Client Fund Management (‘PCFM’) group conference calls. – Our Registrar operates a portfolio service which provides shareholders with the ability to manage their holdings. How did we engage with them? – Held meetings with EU institutions, national, regional and local governments, regulators and international organisations. – Participated in industry bodies, consumer alliances, and public-private initiatives. – Hosted and attended workshops and events to enhance sector understanding of key issues. – Our Chair leads the European Round Table for Industrialists, engaging with European and global institutions and governments. How did we engage with them? – Participation in industry working groups, such as those organised by the GSMA, on policy issues at national and international level (including digital inclusion, biodiversity, net zero). – Participation in global multi-stakeholder coalitions established by the United Nations including the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development and the ITU Partner2Connect alliance. – Group and locally led direct NGO engagements and partnerships.
What were the key topics raised? – Our strategic roadmap and strategic priorities of Customers, Simplicity and Growth. – Allocation of capital, including capital investment, leverage and shareholder returns. – Portfolio right-sizing for growth, market performance, and trading outlook. – Corporate governance practices. – Regulatory changes and the geopolitical environment. – Environmental, Social and Governance (‘ESG’) strategy, targets and reporting. What were the key topics raised? – The EU regulatory and policy environment on digital connectivity, including spectrum, open internet, and satellite (Digital Networks Act, Mobile Satellite Services). – The aspects and developments around the EU’s tech sovereignty. – Cybersecurity and the security of critical network infrastructure, from subsea cables to satellites. – Vodafone’s views around merger and competition policy. – The protection of minors and the issues around online safety/harm. – The EU-UK and EU-Africa relations. What were the key topics raised? – Increasing access to connectivity and digital services, by closing the digital divide. – Environmental topics including net zero, biodiversity and the circular economy. – Human rights topics. – Delivery of global and national development goals including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (‘SDGs’). – Expectations and feedback on our climate transition strategy.
How did we respond? – Submitted written contributions to EU consultations and roadmaps on proposals including the Digital Networks Act, Cyber Resilience Act review, and Merger Guidelines review. – Developed vision papers to support the legislative process. – Organised workshops with institutional representatives. How did we respond? – Provided affordable and accessible services, technology, and connectivity, through our everyone.connected campaign. – Advocated for continued action to close the digital divide at UNGA80 and called for more climate-resilient digital development. – Partnered with industry working groups including Trussell, NSPCC and Good Things Foundation to help provide essential digital skills, connectivity and deliver social value. – Engaged with working groups covering human rights, network access, digital inclusion, and climate plans.
Our investors Our investors include individual and institutional shareholders as well as debt investors. We maintain an active dialogue with our investors through our extensive investor relations programme. Governments and regulators As a heavily regulated industry and provider of Critical National Infrastructure, our relationships with governments and regulators are crucial. We aim to collaborate on policies that impact our industry and service to customers, while fostering a deeper understanding among governments and regulators of our positive contributions to customers, the economy, the environment, and communities. Click to read more about our social contract: vodafone.com/social-contract We believe that the long-term success of our business is closely tied to the success of the communities in which we operate. To achieve this, we engage with local communities and international NGOs across our markets. C lick to read more about our work with local communities and NGOs at: vodafone.com/maintaining-trust
How did we respond? – We conducted over 1,100 investor interactions through meetings with major institutional shareholders, debt investors, individual shareholder groups and financial analysts, and attended conferences. – Meetings were attended by Directors and senior management, including our Chair, Remuneration Committee Chair, Group Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Committee members. – Provided comprehensive reports and transparency disclosures on ESG matters.
Click to read more on our investor website: vodafone.com/investors
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