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Engaging with stakeholders

Maintaining a clear, consistent dialogue with our
stakeholders is key to fulfilling our purpose and
ensuring the long-term success of our business.

Robust Board decision
making, assessed against a
comprehensive stakeholder framework

By understanding our stakeholders, and by considering
their diverse needs, the Board factors into boardroom
discussions the potential impact of our decisions on each
stakeholder group; adhering to the following principles:

Considering the long-term
consequences of our decisions

Considering the interests
of our employees

The need to foster good relationships
with our stakeholders

Considering our impact on the
environment and our community

Maintaining high standards of conduct

Acting fairly between stakeholders

Balancing stakeholder needs to
make the best possible decisions

Our consumers

Maintaining a large, engaged consumer base
of in-market car buyers, sellers and researchers
who have high levels of trust and confidence in
Auto Trader, underpins the success of our business model.

 

>75%

of all minutes spent on automotive classified sites were spent on Auto Trader in 2024

HOW WE ENGAGE

  • We speak to consumers regularly for
    research and insight.

  • We continually ask for feedback on our
    user experience through on and offsite surveys.

  • We regularly conduct consumer user
    testing of new products, services and
    brand designs of our website.

  • We have consumer facing teams operating
    seven days a week.

  • We utilise social media and marketing channels.

Our customers

Our partnerships with almost 14,000
vehicle retailers, with manufacturers
and other customers (such as leasing
companies) mean that we continue to
have the greatest choice of vehicles
for consumers. The majority of our
revenue is generated from our customers.

13,783

average retailer forecourts advertising with Auto Trader in 2024

HOW WE ENGAGE

  • We host monthly retailer sentiment surveys,
    evaluating product improvements and value.
  • We arrange Board customer visits and our Operational
    Leadership Team ('OLT') takes part in a business
    partnering programme.
  • We have sales teams, both telesales and field sales,
    that are in constant dialogue with all our customers.
  • We have customers to attend select Board meetings.
  • We provide regular thought leadership and
    insight-driven reports, such as the Road to 2030 Report.
  • We hold regular forums with CEOs of big and
    mid-tier retailers, OEMs, car supermarkets and
    automotive finance companies to share latest
    data and insight.

Our people

Our people are fundamental to our
continued success. This requires us
to attract new talent and to nurture,
motivate and inspire a highly skilled
workforce. We commit to ensuring that
we continue to build a diverse and
inclusive culture where everyone feels
valued and able to achieve their full potential.

97%

of employees surveyed in 2024 are proud to work for Auto Trader

HOW WE ENGAGE

  • We maintain our Board Engagement Guild
    which engages directly with the Board
    (without management present) on matters
    which are important to our people or topics
    which are current and relevant.

  • We conduct regular employee checkin surveys.

  • We run health and safety assessments.

  • We offer wellbeing forums.

  • We have an independent whistleblowing service.

  • We host biannual all employee conferences,
    and regular CEO and OLT

Our partners
& suppliers

We rely on our suppliers and partners
to provide technology infrastructure,
supply of data about vehicles and their
financing, and in the fulfilment of some
of our revenue generating products.
Building trusted partnerships helps us to
work better together and continue to provide
the highest quality products and services.

 

90%

of eligible stock on site uses AT Connect: Retail Essentials

HOW WE ENGAGE

  • We maintain regular engagement with
    suppliers and partners at senior level.

  • We put in place procurement processes
    to onboard new suppliers into our
    business, as well as arranging regular
    check-ins for ongoing relationships.

  • We agree ways of working with new
    suppliers or partners and providing
    feedback during ongoing projects.

  • We encourage an open dialogue to ensure
    we work collaboratively and share learnings.

The community
& the environment

We aim to give back more to the
planet than we take out and protect
our business from the impact of climate
change. We also strive to create stronger
communities and have a positive social
and environmental impact.

Net zero

by 2040 (our targets have been validated by the SBTi)

HOW WE ENGAGE

  • We empower employee networks to
    manage our charitable support including
    our Auto Trader Community Fund and
    our sustainability strategy.

  • We support organisations such as
    Manchester Digital and the Automotive
    30% Club, and local schools and colleges
    through our STEM ambassadors.

  • We share data and insight with industry bodies
    and Government departments to support policy
    required to enable the mass adoption of
    electric vehicles.

Our investors

Maintaining a continuous transparent
dialogue with current and potential investors
promotes confidence, resulting in continued
access to capital to enable us to invest in the
long-term success of the business.

£250.3m

returned to shareholders in 2024

HOW WE ENGAGE

  • We make open, honest and balanced
    communication available to all shareholders.

  • We encourage private shareholders
    to communicate with the Board
    through ir@autotrader.co.uk.

  • We maintain a comprehensive investor
    relations programme.

  • We provide regular corporate updates
    including via Annual Report, AGM,
    corporate website and regulatory news
    announcements.

  • We have open dialogue with proxy
    advisors and other agencies.

  • We ensured the Chair and the
    Chair of the Remuneration Committee
    made contact and corresponded with
    investors throughout the year.

  • We ensure meetings which relate to
    governance are attended by the Chair
    or another Non-Executive Director.

  • We make sure there is feedback
    regularly provided to the Board.

  • We ensure relevant industry-related
    data and internally produced market
    reports are shared with analysts.


Understanding what matters most

An issue is material to us if it significantly
impacts our business and our strategic
priorities but also if it is viewed as being
important to our stakeholders.

In order to remain successful in the long term, an understanding of what ESG topics matter most to our key stakeholders is essential. Our materiality assessment helps to inform our ESG strategy and captures our impacts in a non-financial manner. The findings of our materiality assessment guide the focus areas of our ESG strategy.

 

To learn more about which material issues are important to our stakeholders, visit the ESG section via the link below:

 

ESG

Related links

Our people & communities

At Auto Trader, we recognise that our people are fundamental to our success.

Read More

Our governance & compliance

Always upholding the values of good corporate governance and risk management.

Read More

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  • @2024 Auto Trader Group plc. Registered in England with company number: 09439967.