Environmental, Social and Governance
Our commitment
As our company continues to grow, everyone at Dale Underwriting Partners is increasingly aware of the role we play as individuals and collectively as a business to ensure we work in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Consistent with our culture, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate practice and governance.
In insurance, Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) factors have taken centre-stage for all of us, and at Dale Underwriting Partners we never underestimate their importance to the future of our business and our industry. Our clients, colleagues, investors, and regulators expect us to conduct business in a way that reduces our environmental impact, promotes positive social change, and helps us to be responsible corporate citizens. As with everything else we do, this commitment amounts to more than just words, and is demonstrated by our actions as we go about our day-to-day business.
This is a huge commitment for our business and everyone who works here. We have therefore committed to six key principles which will help to inform our behaviour, attitude and approach to everything we do in the office and beyond. Whilst we won’t get everything right first time, I believe these principles will guide us in building a more sustainable future for our business, our industry and the wider world in which we operate.
Duncan Dale
Chief Executive
Our ESG Principles
Culture and values
The way we do business is underpinned by our company values and culture. This means that we are always transparent and act with integrity with everyone we interact with. It also means being proactive and doing more than anticipated, by understanding and focusing on our clients’ requirements and service expectations.
Read more about our Culture and values.
Sustainable underwriting
Where required, our underwriting policies are guided by the Lloyd’s Sustainability report and are kept under regular review to ensure that our portfolio is not exposed to coal, oil sands and new Arctic exploration with effect from Jan 2022.
We are also actively considering how ESG principles should help us shape our long term underwriting strategies.
Diversity and inclusion
We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce and have zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, or any kind of discrimination. We maintain a working environment where all staff are respected and valued, and where they can develop their careers to realise their full potential.
Environmental responsibility
We aim to minimise our environmental impact and carbon emissions through energy efficiency in our operations and reducing our need for business travel. When we do travel internationally by air, we commit to carbon off-setting our journeys through our work with Alectro.
We also provide recycling facilities aimed at minimising waste. We only use environmentally friendly office supplies and encourage our colleagues to develop and adopt environmentally responsible behaviour.
Charity and community
We are committed to improving our local communities and opportunities for young people by providing charitable donations where they are most needed. We also enable our staff to devote time to participating in volunteering and mentoring programmes.
We are pleased to support The Wilderness Programme and Aching Arms as our Charity Partners for 2024.
Read more about our Charity and community activities.
Corporate Governance
Dale has a clear governance structure for decision making, with decisions made collectively, following input from each Board and Committee member. Our Board plays a vital role in providing advice, challenge, and scrutiny to management and to ensure our vision and strategy are met by the highest standard of corporate governance.
Access to management and company information is provided at every Board and Committee meeting and through updates and reports on important matters, and Board and Committee members are encouraged to spend time with colleagues and shareholders outside of these meetings.
