Corporate Governance and Sustainability

Independent Directors, Code of Ethics, and Whistleblowing belong to Webuild's best corporate governance practices

Blackrock, the largest American fund, a champion of sustainability, has stakes in over 5,000 companies: A huge figure. Still, in the United States, 60% of market shares (and in the United Kingdom, even 70%) are in the portfolio of institutional investors, who must account for their choices to millions of savers. Thus, in addition to the commitment of entrepreneurs and managers, Blackrock's thrust, and that of many other financial organizations, has also meant that active sustainability policies have become an indispensable business card. And among these, is corporate management, with its modern and transparent rules: the third pillar on which companies base their ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) strategy, also with environmental protection, and socially responsible behaviours.

A Corporate Governance system in line with international best practices

Webuild has a Corporate Governance system in line with international best practice standards, starting from its Board of Directors – which is composed of fifteen members, of which six are women. Ten directors also possess independence requirements. The Board has therefore appointed three internal board committees made exclusively of independent directors: the Control, Risk and Sustainability Committee, the Compensation and Nomination Committee (chaired by the Director appointed from the minority list), and the Committee for Related - Party Transactions. A Strategic Committee was also established, composed of three non-independent directors, and two independent directors, with the task of assisting the activities related to Progetto Italia, the consolidation operation for Italy's construction sector.

Our Code of Ethics and Supplier Code of Conduct

Besides its internal organization, Webuild also insists on its relations with the outside world. The Group has in fact adopted a Code of Ethics for its employees, but also for all those with any relations with the company, like our suppliers. At the beginning of 2020, a Supplier Code of Conduct was also adopted, to extend responsible management practices to our supply chain. Our Supplier Code is binding for all Webuild suppliers. And, with our Code of Ethics, it stands as an integral part of our contractual relationships.

Our whistleblowing initiative is open to all those with a relationship with Webuild

To fight corruption, Webuild adopts a whistleblowing system based on an external web portal. It allows employees to anonymously communicate potential violations, guaranteeing protection from all forms of retaliation, discrimination, or penalization, in compliance with international best practices. Since 2018, the portal has also been available to third parties (i.e. our suppliers, and subcontractors). And from 2020, its accessibility has been further expanded, with sections dedicated to companies and joint ventures led by Webuild. All received reports are analysed in detail. Investigation results are then sent to our Board of Directors, in order to guarantee maximum commitment with regard to any corrective actions.