Giving meaning
Lagardère SCA General Shareholders’ Meeting, May 2019 (Paris, France).
Like all businesses and society as a whole, we have seen our operations affected at the start of 2020 by the Covid-19 epidemic. The Group will draw on the values that for decades have formed the basis of its strength in order to rebound.
Our main priority in dealing with this unprecedented crisis was protecting our employees. At the same time, the Group has created a “Covid solidarity fund” to support our most severely affected employees and, where possible, our partners, all of whom are suffering the severe effects of this crisis. Given the uncertainty relating to what the outcome will be, we have had to refocus on what we are intrinsically and want to continue to be.
First and foremost, we are a Group that – thanks to its entrepreneurial spirit, agility and creativity – knows how to adapt to the evolutions and ups and downs of a world that is sometimes subject to abrupt change. The diversity and complementarity of our operations – at the crossroads of knowledge and travel – will ensure our durability.
Secondly, we are a Group that is committed more than anything to the engagement of our employees all over the world, and for whom we intend to defend the values of gender balance, promoting diversity and inclusion, making us a more attractive employer. This commitment was reflected in 2019 by the training of all staff in charge of human resources in combating sexism, as well as the development in the UK of the Changing the Story programme.
Thirdly, we are a Group that protects and disseminates the local and cultural heritage of the countries in which we operate, whether in terms of literature or education, entertainment or foodservice. The development of Lagardère Travel Retail local store concepts is one of the ways we seek to promote cultural diversity within the Group.
Lastly, we are a Group that intends to contribute to creating a better environment. 2019 saw a shift of opinion in collective awareness about climate change, primarily due to pressure from the younger generations. This resulted in a fourth carbon footprint assessment of French-speaking operations at Lagardère Publishing and the launch of the PEPS (Planet, Ethics, People, Social) strategy at Lagardère Travel Retail, which now permeates into its three areas of activity. This momentum should be reinforced in 2020, driven internally by our LL Network, which is developing its openness to debating the societal issues dear to our employees, who more and more are looking for meaning.
On the back of these values, which form the foundation of its raison d’être, our Group is ready to take on a new stage of its development. The dialogue initiated in 2019 with our panel of stakeholders will continue within the Group in 2020 in order to make this raison d’être the heart of our strategy.
Arnaud Lagardère