Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report 2025 13
Strategic report
Governance
Financials
Other information
Stakeholder engagement continued
Our local communities and non-governmental organisations (‘NGOs’) 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. 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. – Locally led direct NGO engagements and partnerships. 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’). How did we respond? – Provided affordable and accessible services, technology, and connectivity, through our everyone.connected campaign. – Provided leadership in respect of closing the digital divide at the International Telecommunication Union’s SDG Digital event during the UNGA79. – 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 industry working groups covering human rights, network access and digital inclusion.
Governments and regulators As a heavily regulated industry and part 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. 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 pu Hosted and attended workshops and events to enhance sector blic-private initiatives. – understanding of key issues. – Sponsored the NATO Public Forum in Washington DC. – Our Chair leads the European Round Table for Industrialists, engaging with European and global institutions and governments. What were the key topics raised? – The EU regulatory and policy environment, including a review of the Single Market. Spectrum and licensing, including prolongation of existing licence holdings. – Security of critical infrastructure and supply chain resilience, from subsea cables to satellites. – Protection of investments abroad and inward investment screening. – Vodafone UK and Three merger approval. How did we respond? – Contributed to the Commission’s White Paper on EU Connectivity. – Participated in three European Commission studies. – Contributed to EU consultations. – Responded to the 2025 Single Market Strategy Call for Evidence. – Submitted policy responses to trade questions from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade. C lick to read more about our social contract in our investor briefing. The materials set out the importance of a reset of the European regulatory framework; how through our social contract we have taken a leadership role in improving our relationship with governments and policymakers; and what is needed in terms of policy reform: investors.vodafone.com/social-contract
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. 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 covering investor events and interviews with Board Directors. – Regulatory News Service (‘RNS’) announcements. – Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’). – Investor perception study and regular feedback survey. – Online presentations aimed at retail investors, in our ’Investor Meet Company’ in FY25. – Our Registrar operates a portfolio service which provides shareholders with the ability to manage their holdings. 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. – Environmental, Social and Governance (‘ESG’) strategy, targets and reporting. How did we respond? – We conducted over 1,000 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, 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: investors.vodafone.com
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