Ascential PLC.
ASCL.LSE | Other information service activities n.e.c.
Ascential PLC is a global business-to-business media company that provides specialist information, analytics, and e-commerce optimization platforms to its customers. The company operates through several segments, including: Marketing, which offers events, intelligence, and advisory services for mark...Show More
Better Health for All
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Ascential PLC reports no major health and safety incidents at its live events in Amsterdam, Cannes, and Las Vegas.
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The company demonstrates strong healthcare data responsibility through standardized global cybersecurity, data privacy, and data protection policies.
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An external audit by Ernst and Young was conducted in 2023, and all employees completed cyber security e-learning training, with over 3,000 receiving face-to-face training.
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Only 15 minor data security incidents were logged in 2023, none classified as high risk.
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During public health emergencies, Ascential Medical & Life Sciences enabled manufacturers globally to meet demand for at-home and point-of-care tests during the pandemic, and donated £4,000 in cash and gathered 18,700 products for hospitals affected by floods in Rio Grande do Sul.
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For mental health, the company offers comprehensive employee support, including over 30 Mental Health First Aiders, a confidential advice line, and Psychological Safety training for managers.
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In healthcare education, Ascential's events provided 135 hours of education for the health and nutrition industry, offered free educational content to over 800 healthcare professionals through 10 tracks of workshops, and invited 150 students to learn from industry leaders.
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The company's core business activities are generally health-neutral.
Fair Money & Economic Opportunity
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Ascential PLC is a business-to-business media and information company that provides specialist information, analytics, and e-commerce optimization platforms to its customers.
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The company does not offer lending, insurance, or deposit services to consumers, nor does it provide consumer credit products or operate financial service access points.
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Therefore, all KPIs related to fair money and economic opportunity, which are designed for financial institutions, are not applicable to Ascential's core business model.
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Fair Pay & Worker Respect
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Ascential's overall employee engagement score was 7.5/10 (75%) in 2023.
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The company reported a median gender pay gap of 18% in 2021, meaning women earned 82% of men's median pay, and has an action plan to address this.
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In 2023, no instances of modern slavery were identified in the company or its supply chain.
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Additionally, five complaints were received through the whistleblowing tool in 2023, none of which were identified as formal whistleblowing concerns.
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Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing
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Ascential, a business-to-business media company, does not procure or trade physical commodities, rendering fair trade certification and materials risk index not applicable. The company reported zero instances of modern slavery in its company or supply chain in 2023.
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This is supported by a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery
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and a Third Party Code of Conduct that explicitly prohibits forced, involuntary, or child labor.
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All suppliers signing new contracts in 2022 signed up to this code of conduct,
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and 100% of suppliers with an annual spend over £50,000 also signed up to a climate change statement in their RFPs, which is part of the updated code.
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The company reserves the right to terminate supplier relationships if minimum standards are not met.
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Honest & Fair Business
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Ascential restated its 2022 and 2023 financial figures due to discontinued operations and business transfers, averaging at least one restatement per year.
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The company reported no regulatory fines related to the Bribery Act in 2023 and no mention of fines in the last three years.
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Its audit coverage for revenue from continuing operations was 86%.
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Ascential maintains a formal anti-bribery and corruption policy, communicated to all employees, with zero tolerance for bribery or small payments, and its implementation is reviewed and monitored by the Audit Committee.
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The company also has a formal whistleblowing policy with a confidential helpline operated by an independent third party, and in 2023, five complaints were received through this tool, none identified as formal whistleblowing concerns.
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Kind to Animals
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Ascential PLC operates as a business-to-business media and information services company. While some articles mention general ethical conduct, supplier codes, or contributions to broader sustainability initiatives (such as a €279,000 contribution from SDG Lions to a wildlife conservation fund
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), these do not provide the specific data points required by the rubric for measurable biodiversity impact, animal testing, animal-derived inputs, or humane certifications related to Ascential's direct activities.
No War, No Weapons
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Ascential PLC has not been involved in arms manufacturing, military contracts, or conflict facilitation, and has distanced itself from military associations, indicating 0% revenue from such activities.
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The company states it will not do business with sanctioned countries, groups, companies, or individuals.
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,
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Ascential publishes an annual modern slavery and human trafficking statement.
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,
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In 2023, no instances of modern slavery were identified in its company or supply chain.
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Its Third Party Code of Conduct emphasizes ethical sourcing, prohibiting forced or child labor, and promoting human rights.
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,
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Ascential has no defense assets to divest, as it has not been involved in military activities, and its divestments of non-core businesses reinforce its non-military focus.
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,
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However, its peacebuilding investments, including donations to humanitarian charities and profits from SDG and Glass Lion awards, totaled approximately 0.0663% of its 2023 revenue.
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,
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Planet-Friendly Business
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Ascential is developing plans to achieve operational net zero by 2030.
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A costed Climate Transition Plan, which will outline the roadmap to net zero, is targeted for completion by the end of 2025, meaning interim targets are currently undefined.
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The company is setting carbon reduction targets for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), with verification planned for 2025.
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Ascential has included TCFD-aligned disclosures in its Annual Report for the third year, having completed TCFD for the first time in 2021.
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However, it acknowledges that further work is needed for full compliance, specifically in fully quantifying the financial impact of climate change over the short, medium, and long term, with a plan to be fully compliant by the end of 2025.
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In 2023, Ascential measured the carbon and waste footprints of three major events: Cannes Lions, Money20/20 Amsterdam, and Money20/20 Las Vegas.
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Respect for Cultures & Communities
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Ascential has established 13 formal partnership agreements with community groups, including The Prince's Trust, Media Trust, Just Like Us, Black Executive CMO Alliance (BECA), and others.
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The company's business model, which focuses on B2B media, events, and analytics, does not involve operations that require Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes with indigenous communities.
Safe & Smart Tech
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In 2023, Ascential logged 15 data security incidents, none of which were classified as high risk, and all personal data incidents were minor.
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The company provides users with rights including access, correction, erasure, objection to processing, restriction of processing, data transfer, withdrawal of consent, opt-out from marketing, and data deletion, committing to respond to verifiable consumer requests within 45 days.
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Ascential states compliance with GDPR and CCPA/CPRA, supported by a formal compliance framework, a legal team monitoring regulatory changes, and group monitoring and auditing programs.
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In 2020, Ascential divested its 35% stake in Jumpshot Inc.
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following reports that the subsidiary was selling user data, demonstrating a commitment to ethical data practices and user privacy.
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Zero Waste & Sustainable Products
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Ascential, now part of Informa, achieved a 62% waste diversion rate in 2024.
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The company has set ambitious waste reduction targets, aiming to halve waste generated through products and events by 2025
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and become a zero-waste business by 2030.
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Specific reduction targets for waste going to landfill have been set for Cannes Lions and Money20/20 Amsterdam in 2024.
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Waste reduction initiatives include the Ascential Sustainable Events Standards, rolled out in H1 2024 with 20 ambitions,
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and a partnership with GreenBee Event Upcycling.
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As part of Informa, the FasterForward program aims to halve waste by 2025,
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and the Better Stands program promotes reusable exhibition stands,
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with 390 events participating and 45,000 stands assessed in 2024.
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These efforts contributed to a 35% reduction in pulping waste since 2017.
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Circular design principles were applied to the 'Na.i.ture Stage' at Money20/20 Europe 2024, using live plants for reuse.
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Ascential's Supplier Code of Conduct requires suppliers to adhere to environmental laws and mitigate climate change risk, including operational waste,
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and a Green Supplier Guide is provided.
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Customer education includes the Better Stands program, which educates exhibitors on reusable stands,
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and seminars at events like ProPak Philippines on recycling and waste reduction.
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