Building Trust: lessons from the Remuneration Report

Workspace’s Remuneration Report is considered one of the best in the FTSE 350. In October, it was awarded the PwC Building Trust Award. The gong identifies how effectively companies communicate and justify the pay of their executive directors, considering the experiences of various stakeholders, such as employees, shareholders, customers, and suppliers.

To achieve “best in class” status, Workspace partnered with Gather, the integrated corporate communication agency that, in 2024, also won Best Annual Report, Best Corporate Website, Best ESG Report, Best Digital Reporting, Best Capital Markets Day, and Best Use of Digital Media for its clients.

Corporate communication is about clear stories, consistently delivered. Gather focuses on what makes companies stand out and be unique, then super-connects that across communication channels.

Remuneration reporting in the FTSE 350 focuses on fairness and governance, and on providing transparent disclosures that illustrate the appropriateness of executive director remuneration. PwC’s award emphasises how well Workspace’s report aligns executive pay with its corporate strategy, ESG priorities, and overall performance.

By all accounts, Workspace deserved the recognition. The company never underestimates its audience. In a world where beliefs, views, and facts are increasingly challenged, Workspace meets complex expectations. The strength of the Remuneration Report is its clarity. The light touch belies hard work and attention to detail.

In the fast-paced world of business, communicating success is paramount. It’s an art form that weaves together several threads. To define success, companies must clearly articulate their long-term goals and demonstrate how these align with their purpose. A successful business strategy is not just about financial performance; it is deeply rooted in a company’s values and culture. Success is relative to the actual or perceived implications of strategic choices for various stakeholders and emphasises the company’s commitment to sustainability, viability, and resilience.

Authenticity carries weight. In an age of fear of greenwashing and easy digital access, corporations are under unprecedented pressure and scrutiny. The way success is achieved matters. Audiences are digging deeper into how companies report on governance issues. That’s not bad, but it poses challenges for communicators.

The public can be sceptical about executive directors’ remuneration. Policy frameworks should ensure that compensation packages reward fairly while supporting overarching business goals. People expect companies to go beyond paying salaries to align performance and motivation directly with the organisation’s vision or purpose.

Workspace and Gather understand that if the remuneration report is heavily regulated, it also allows for a degree of flexibility that can turn mandatory disclosures into reputational and brand assets.

Get in touch

To find out more and discuss how Gather can help embrace your difference, contact Richard Costa, Consultancy Director at Gather, richardc@gather.london