Integration at all levels

The integration of CR across all our activities worldwide continues to be a core priority.

We have national CR governance groups and management frameworks in place in the US, the UK and Sweden, our three main business hubs where around 46% of our employees are located.  Elsewhere in the world, CR continues to be integrated into leadership team agendas and interpreted at a local level.

Following the recent changes to our global CR management and governance structures, we are in the process of reviewing the way in which we support and monitor all of our global activity going forward. Our commitment to GRI reporting is also helping to inform this process.

In the US, to further improve efficiency, AstraZeneca US has aligned US CR with global and US business governance model teams. CR is now managed through an integrated, cross-functional group of leaders, the Responsible Business Team, which reports to a senior US management team. We electronically published our third annual US CR Report in April 2008, which provides country-specific information about how AstraZeneca is delivering on its CR commitment in the US. To read our US CR Report, visit our US website.

At MedImmune, CR is managed by a dedicated group, which works closely with the Global CR Team and Global Compliance, and with MedImmune business owners to consolidate information and align activity.

In the UK, we reviewed and strengthened the membership of our cross-functional governance group of UK- business leaders who have accountability for legal and regulatory compliance and reputation management (including corporate responsibility) at a national level. This UK Governance and Reputation Group is chaired by David Smith, Executive Vice-President, Operations, and is accountable for the development of national CR strategy, targets and action plans. Visit AstraZeneca UK.

In Sweden, the Sweden Governance Group (SGG), chaired by Jan Lundberg, Executive Vice President of Discovery, is accountable for national reputation and CR plans, including communication with Swedish stakeholders. SGG is supported by a dedicated CR function, which leads the development and implementation of CR across Sweden. Visit AstraZeneca Sweden.

In China, an important emerging market where we continue to increase our presence, governance and compliance issues are overseen by a dedicated Compliance and Risk Management function, supported by a Compliance Committee chaired by the President of AstraZeneca China. Visit AstraZeneca China.

In the Philippines, a cross-functional steering committee identifies and reviews the relevant CR issues, based on, among other things, input from stakeholders such as key opinion leaders, industry groups and non-governmental organisations, such as Voluntary Service Overseas.  

In Mexico, CR is managed by a cross-functional CR Committee of senior leaders, including the local Compliance Officer. The Committee is responsible for setting local objectives in line with the global framework, deciding and cascading action plans and reviewing progress against these.

In Brazil, CR is fully embedded into the agenda of the Local Compliance Committee, comprising members of the senior management team representing all business functions.

Examples of how our global commitment is being implemented at a local level are included throughout this Responsibility section of our website.

The content of this page was externally assured by Bureau Veritas, February 2009.