SUMMARY OF THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE’S The quality of our leadership team PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES has never been more important. We • Appointment of Arja Taaveniku as an continue to balance required skills Independent Non-Executive Director. and experience, build individual • Appointment of William Reeve as Senior Independent Director. calibre, and enhance teamwork.” • Welcomed our newest Board member Arja into the business through a comprehensive induction programme, co-ordinated by the The importance of carefully planned succession applies equally to the Company Secretary. role of Chair. My term as Chairman is due to end by September 2023, • Announced the appointment of Vijay Talwar, and we have started the process to identify my successor, led by William who can bring experience of large scale Reeve, our Senior Independent Director. We are at the early stages of digital commerce. this process, allowing sufficient time for a seamless transition. Dunelm • Commenced the search for an additional remains my first priority and my timing is flexible to suit the wishes of the female NED. Board. • Prepared specification for Chair succession in September 2023. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION • Played an active role in the increased focus We fully support diversity and inclusion in all its dimensions as an on succession and talent management important contribution to high quality decision-making and innovative throughout the business. thinking. In the past year, the Board and Executive Board have significantly increased our focus on this, developing and rolling out a full • Oversight of the Board and the Group’s ‘This programme across the business under the theme ‘This is Me’. Further is Me’ programme to increase inclusion and details are in the Sustainability section on page 68 and page 128. At the diversity of gender, ethnicity, background, Board level we have received stimulating presentations from a number thought and skills throughout the business. of speakers on a range of topics, which have built our awareness and • Oversight of Annual Board review to ensure understanding of how our business can take active steps to promote that the Board is working as effectively as diversity and inclusion, see page 128. When making our Board possible. appointments our policy is that our Board should always be of mixed • Ongoing review of theBoard’s composition, gender, and in all recent appointments we have requested that a range to ensure it follows best practice and meets of candidates from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds be brought the strategic needs of the business, taking forward for consideration. Further details are in our report on page 129. into account the main trends and factors affecting the long-term success and future SUCCESSION AND TALENT viability of the Company. As I mention above, having a talented and cohesive leadership team is a key capability for our business, and this year the Committee has overseen a step change in our focus on succession and talent management. With the support of a specialist external consultant, we have built a tailored structure that isbeing rolled out throughout the business and which is being well received. Our investment in this process and our diversity and inclusion programme will ensure that we have the capabilities that we need to deliver our growth ambitions. BOARD EFFECTIVENESS This year we held an internal Board review, as usual focused on increasing the Board’s effectiveness for the future, as we accelerate our growth strategy and develop our stakeholder relationships. The review concluded that the Board is performing effectively, capturing new ways of working during the pandemic. As always, we challenge ourselves to continue to improve, and the actions which we have agreed are set out on page 127. I look forward to meeting shareholders at the AGM. Yours faithfully, Andy Harrison Chair of the Nominations Committee 8 September 2021 DUNELM GROUP PLC ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2021 121 GOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORT FINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION