1. Marketplace
Top Dogs: Hiscox and Lion Finance Group
The world is only becoming more unstable and unpredictable, and the best reporters are responding to this with topical and/or detailed marketplace sections. Many reporters could benefit from fresh thinking on this front, given how much the political, trade and business environment has changed in recent years.
2. Business model
Top Dogs: IHG and Experian
The best business model descriptions offer thoughtful and meaningful insights into how a business really functions and – critically – how it makes money. Graphics are a nice-to have but not necessary for success. Discussing stakeholder outcomes, which almost every reporter seems to do, falls into the same category.
3. Strategy
Top Dogs: Whitbread and Coca-Cola HBC
It’s clear that, in response to a more difficult economic and political backdrop, the vast majority of reporters have pulled back on forward‑looking content, and strategy in particular. It’s now extraordinarily rare to find meaningful statements about plans beyond the next twelve months. The best instead offer an overview of medium-term plans, paired with clear quantitative or qualitative goals.
4. Reporting on AI
Top Dogs: Experian and NEXT
The dawn of the AI era is a major source of change and volatility for reporters. The best are able to explain why AI is a strategic asset or consideration, and share a nuanced picture of the related opportunities, trends and risks.
5. Sustainability
Top Dogs: Severn Trent and ConvaTec
While early compliance with UK SRS is limited (we found that only 20% set out clear plans for compliance), the best are still going above and beyond. Some are combining TCFD and TNFD disclosure, and focusing on truly material topics, fresh from conducting a credible double materiality exercise. As ever, transparency around challenges is also a mark of high-quality sustainability reporting.
6. Risk
Top Dogs: British Land and Smiths Group
As with the marketplace section, the best reporters ensure that their risk reporting feels topical and relevant, with plenty of discussion around emerging risks, changes to internal processes and movement in their overall risk profile and approach. Making sure there is a strong connection between risk and strategy is also vital.