WHAT WILL DISCOVER THE JAMES CROPPER CULTURE - CREATING OPPORTUNITY, EMBRACING DIVERSITY, PROMOTING EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE The James Cropper story is one of global reach and ambition. We create some of the world s most distinctive and technically advanced paper products, using materials from cotton and wood to carbon fibre. We support industries from packaging to digital imaging and aerospace with products that are at the cutting edge of performance. In short, we break down barriers to innovate for a better world. That means we thrive on diversity, and strive for equality in our global community of employees. 01
BRING YOUR AMBITION, BE PART OF OURS In over 170 years, we ve always known that our people are at the heart of what we do. Today, as a company with global reach and ambition, a fantastic heritage and a focus on world-class innovation, diversity and equality are not just nice to haves, they re an essential part of securing the future of our business. We have lots of positive examples of existing employees progressing through and across the organisation. There are no barriers to joining James Cropper PLC, and no barriers to progressing your career within the company. 02
A CULTURE OF PROGRESS, FOR OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR PEOPLE Everyone in our business benefits from our vision for leadership. It s important to us, because great leadership not only delivers results, but creates a rewarding environment for every one of our employees. We believe in a culture where every idea is listened to, every employee is given the training and tools they need to progress, and every team has a clear and exciting vision for the future. OUR SEVEN LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES ARE: 03
A GLOBAL COMMUNITY At James Cropper, we believe in the importance of embracing cultural diversity, in each of our global locations. We value people and we go above and beyond to ensure fair and ethical employment in all our territories just like we do at Burneside Mills. We value sustainability and natural resources not only in our local environment, but globally, as we remain committed to ethical sourcing of raw materials and innovation with recycled fibres. We value our communities providing support for local education, infrastructure and local charities. To us, this is what it means to be a global business. It means seeing ourselves as a global community, too. 1 12 13 15 14 2 3 7 6 8 4 5 9 16 10 11 1 BURNESIDE, UK HEAD OFFICE 2 PARIS, FRANCE 3 COLOGNE, GERMANY 4 DUBAI 5 INDIA 6 SHANGHAI, PRC 7 GUANGZHOU, PRC 8 HONG KONG, PRC 9 MALAYSIA 10 AUSTRALIA 11 SOUTH AFRICA 12 PHILADELPHIA, USA 13 SCHENECTADY, USA 14 NEW YORK, USA 15 CREWE, UK 16 BRAZIL MANUFACTURING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNER SALES OFFICE 04
STRIVING FOR GENDER EQUALITY IT MATTERS TO OUR BUSINESS In line with the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017, we have carried out six calculations that show the difference between the average earnings of men and women in our organisation. James Cropper PLC is a business where we believe that men and women should be paid equally in equivalent roles, as supported by our job evaluation process. Diversity in all its forms (including gender) is not a factor in performance and is valued by our business. GENDER IS NOT A FACTOR IN CAPABILITY, OR POTENTIAL James Cropper PLC is a manufacturing business. Across the group, and within our Paper business, it is typical that a greater proportion of men are attracted to our manufacturing operational roles which are mostly shift-based. In fact, 93% of roles in manufacturing operation are fulfilled by men across the James Cropper PLC Group. This trend feeds into the overall gender balance across our Group - we employ 84% men vs. 16% women. We are confident that men and women are paid equally in equivalent roles across the business, simply because we believe gender is not a factor in capability. We never assess any applicant s suitability based on their gender, and we never will. We are employing a number of strategies to attract the best people to join our business. These range from work with schools and universities, to delivering equal opportunities in our numerous apprentice and graduate programmes. 05
OUR GENDER PAY GAP IS NARROWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE Overall, the gender pay gap measured across the James Cropper PLC Group, and within our large James Cropper Speciality Paper subsidiary, falls well below the National Average. We are also confident that men and women in equal roles are paid equally. However, we continually work hard to evaluate and understand any reasons for gender pay differences in our businesses, to ensure they are not the result of any limitations in recruitment or career progression for either gender. NATIONAL AVG. GENDER PAY GAP WOMEN ARE PAID 18.1% LESS THAN MEN (Office National Statistics 2016) WHEREAS, THE FIGURES BELOW SHOW THAT JAMES CROPPER S RESULTS ARE BETTER THAN THIS The charts below show how female pay compares to male pay at James Cropper JAMES CROPPER PLC JAMES CROPPER SPECIALITY PAPER Mean 3.6% Mean -9.1% Median -3.1% Median -10.8% The above figures show that, on average, men are paid 3.6% more than women in James Cropper PLC. However, women are paid 9.1% more than men in James Cropper Speciality Paper. The graphs below show the proportion of men and women in each pay quartile. Percentage of males and females in each quartile band Percentage of males and females in each quartile band 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 0 0 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Quartiles Quartiles Male Female Male Female 06
EQUALITY AND TRENDS IN BONUS PAY At James Cropper PLC all UK-based employees are entitled to take part in our Profit Bonus Scheme, with each person having the option to take cash or shares. We re confident that bonuses are offered equally to men and women in return for equal performance or service but we prefer to offer flexibility in the way bonus payments are received, with the outcome that women are more likely to take shares than men. However, the following figures show the cash bonus payment only in line with reporting requirements. PROPORTION OF MALE AND FEMALE EMPLOYEES RECEIVING A BONUS JAMES CROPPER PLC Male JAMES CROPPER SPECIALITY PAPER 88% Male 88% Female 72.3% Female 50% BONUS GENDER PAY GAP JAMES CROPPER PLC Mean JAMES CROPPER SPECIALITY PAPER 23.6% Mean -18.7% Median -0.9% Median -15.7% The above figures show that on average men are paid 23.6% more in cash bonuses than women in James Cropper PLC. However, women are paid 18.7% more in cash bonuses than men in James Cropper Speciality Paper. Phil Wild Chief Executive Officer March 2018 07
THE CHANCE TO MEET AND PRESENT THE TECHNICAL PROCESS OF PAPERMAKING TO THE QUEEN WAS SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET! WHAT WILL ALISON RIGG PURSUING A PASSION FOR COLOUR AND A TALENT FOR TECHNICAL CHALLENGES I began my career at James Cropper PLC in July 2011 after completing a university degree in Psychology. The role I took on was Colour Technician I was provided with on the job training in the Technical Department focusing on colour within the mill and lab matches for customers. I progressed in this role and then became a Technical Specialist in Paper. My speciality is still in the art and science of colour - but I m now also part of a team who provide technical support for our converting division, including across complex processes such as lamination and coating. In my specialism in the colour lab, I produce colour matches for customers and new projects - while also looking at more efficient ways to run products. We support trials for new projects and also provide technical trouble shooting across the Paper business. I currently also supervise a student on the Year in Industry scheme that James Cropper PLC is supporting. There have been some incredibly rewarding moments in my career so far. The chance to meet and present the technical process of papermaking to the Queen was something I will never forget! Also, in the first few years of my job I had the chance to supervise four work experience students. To see the change in the students confidence and attitude towards work, and to be trusted with that mentoring responsibility, was fantastic. I love the fact that no one day is ever the same in my role. The variety of the job makes it uniquely interesting. I m looking forward to continuing to expand my knowledge across the Group and seeing where that knowledge takes me next! 08
JUST ONE YEAR AFTER JOINING JAMES CROPPER PLC AS AN APPRENTICE, I WAS COMPLETING A BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT DEGREE WHILE MANAGING THE COMPANY S BIGGEST CUSTOMER ACCOUNT ALONGSIDE THE UK SALES MANAGER. STEFAN PRYOR FROM APPRENTICE, TO GRADUATE, TO PACKAGING PROJECT MANAGER I joined James Cropper PLC as a Business Administration Apprentice in 2008 attending college every Wednesday to complete my NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Business Administration. In 2009 I started taking over my first customer accounts, working as a trainee within the Sales team. Later that year, James Cropper PLC supported my decision to pursue a Business and Management degree via distance learning and when necessary allowed me to complete some study during working hours. While studying, I also started a new role as UK Internal Sales Executive managing the company s biggest customer account alongside the UK Sales Manager! Since graduating I ve been promoted to another great role, this time away from Sales. As Product and Luxury Packaging Manager, I support the commercial team with product support and manage packaging projects as they are introduced. James Cropper PLC is a rewarding environment to work in. It feels great to see our paper used in products for world famous brands, from Royal British Legion Poppies to Selfridges bags. But it s also a company that encourages progression James Cropper PLC will support you with advice and training, even if you wish to seek an alternative route to what others may see as your obvious career path. WHAT WILL 09
AFTER WORKING IN R&D, THEN TEACHING CHEMISTRY, I WANTED A MORE HANDS-ON ROLE WHERE I COULD DEVELOP NEW SKILLS AND INTERESTS. THE CHEMISTRY BEHIND PAPERMAKING IS FASCINATING AND I ENJOY THE AMBITIOUS CULTURE. WHAT WILL JOANNE STOREY FROM TEACHER TO TECHNICAL EXPERT IN PAPER INNOVATION I started my career as a scientific apprentice based at the National Nuclear Laboratory, Sellafield. After leaving I taught BTEC Applied Chemistry but felt that I missed the more hands on experience of lab work and learning new skills that s what I was looking for when I came to James Cropper PLC. I m one of four graduates who joined the James Cropper Graduate Scheme in August 2016 I m based in the Technical Department. My role varies on a day to day basis. I have daily duties including operations support in JCC, conducting lab analysis on competitor samples, complaints analysis and troubleshooting operations issues. I am also involved with IBP (Integrated Business Planning) where I help to coordinate and gather information each month. I am also Technical Lead for NPI (New Product Introduction) projects, and help coordinate and manage the NPI process. There is a great working environment within the Technical Department. The knowledge within the team is vast and continues to grow through continuous training. My most rewarding time at James Cropper PLC was my first business project. We gave over 30 presentations, to more than 400 people, explaining the work of the Technical & Quality Team and its positive impact on the success of the business. The graduate team won a special commendation for creativity and innovation in the Pride Awards for that project. I m looking forward to more achievements as I complete my graduate scheme in the next 18 months I ll complete at least 5 more training programmes. 10
AFTER 10 YEARS IN THE PULPERS AND BLENDERS THE COMPANY SUPPORTED ME THROUGH HOME STUDY FOR AN HNC IN BUSINESS WITH FINANCE AT KENDAL COLLEGE. STEVE ATKINSON FROM PULPER ASSISTANT TO FINANCE MANAGER I started at James Cropper PLC in May 1988 on the same day as Mark Denney, Paul Capstick-Newell and Craig Elshaw. This May we will celebrate a combined 120 years of employment at the mill. Mark, Paul and Craig have all progressed to being highly skilled Paper Makers whilst my career path took a different turn. After 10 years working with the Pulpers and Blenders the company supported me through home study for an HNC in Business with Finance at Kendal College. This led to an opportunity to move away from Production into the Finance team working in the costing department. Since then, I have completed my Accountancy Qualifications and currently work as Finance Manager for the Paper division. I am a big supporter of the Company developing its own talent whilst at the same time, recognising the benefits of best practice and wider experience that new recruits from outside the organisation can bring. WHAT WILL 11
WHILE WORKING IN ADMINISTRATION, JAMES CROPPER PLC ENABLED ME TO CONTINUE MY ROLE WHILE COMPLETING MY ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN AAT LEVEL 3 AT KENDAL COLLEGE. THAT OPPORTUNITY WILL ENABLE ME TO PROGRESS INTO AN ACCOUNTANCY ROLE. KERRY WILSON FROM ADMINISTRATOR TO ACCOUNTANCY APPRENTICE I first started working at James Cropper PLC in a part-time role, providing administration support to the Payroll department. I recently had the opportunity to begin an Accountancy Apprenticeship supported by James Cropper PLC. This means I can continue my current role while studying for an Advanced Diploma in AAT at Kendal College an opportunity that will enable me to progress from working in administration to an accountancy-based role. I d describe James Cropper PLC as a progressive company where there are opportunities to grow and develop as an individual that s encouraged and supported in this company. Communication is frequently circulated around the company so you always have a sense of the company s forward plans and what s going on even if you aren t directly involved in all aspects. The environment is friendly and motivated hard work and achievements inside and outside work are rewarded formally and via the annual PRIDE awards. Employee s opinions and suggestions are valued there s an annual employee survey and we all see the results. The social committee creates a fun environment to get to know others from different departments too and be inspired by what they do. WHAT WILL 12
IN ANY WALK OF LIFE YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR WORK YOU LL SHINE THROUGH. DAVID ATKINSON WHO RETIRED IN MARCH 2018 AFTER NEARLY 49 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN PAPER (and not one day off sick) I started working at James Cropper PLC on 1st October 1969. I ve always worked on the paper machines I ve learned everything about them and how to get the best out of them. I ve seen incredible changes over the years, and I m given a great deal of responsibility that I enjoy. Since day one, I ve always got up and looked forward to coming to work. I can t praise James Cropper PLC highly enough as an employer. I ve always felt completely dedicated to my work and have found it rewarding and satisfying. In any walk of life, you need to be able to use your knowledge. If you re able to have confidence in your work you ll shine through. When other employees come to me and say they learned something from me, I get great pleasure from that. I ve got plenty to do when I retire but I ll be giving 110% right up until the last minute. WHAT WILL 13