The Group's policy is one of equal opportunity in the selection, training, career development and promotion of employees, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion and whether disabled or otherwise.

The Group treats applicants and employees with disabilities equally and fairly and provides facilities, equipment and training to assist disabled employees to do their jobs. Should an employee become disabled during their employment, efforts are made to retain them in their current employment or to explore the opportunities for their retraining or redeployment within the Group. The Group also provides financial support to disabled employees who are unable to work, as appropriate to local market conditions.

The Group's principal means of keeping in touch with the views of its employees are through employee appraisals, informal consultations, team briefings, and staff conferences and surveys. Managers throughout the Group have a continuing responsibility to keep their staff fully informed of developments and to communicate financial results and other matters of interest. This is achieved by structured communication including regular meetings of employees.

The Group has clear grievance and disciplinary procedures in place, which include comprehensive procedures on discrimination and the Group's equal opportunities policy. The Group also has an employee assistance programme which provides a confidential, free and independent counselling service and is available to all staff and their families in the UK.

There are clearly defined staff policies for pay and working conditions. The Group's employment policies are designed to provide a competitive reward package which will attract and retain high quality staff, whilst ensuring that the cost element of these rewards remains at an appropriate level.

The Group's remuneration policy is influenced by market conditions and practices in the countries in which it operates. All employees receive a base salary and are eligible for a performance related bonus. Where appropriate, employees are eligible to participate in Group share schemes to encourage employees' involvement in the performance of the Group. Investment executives may also participate in co-investment plans and carried interest schemes, which allow executives to share directly in the future profits on investments. Further details of these plans are set out in the Directors' remuneration report. Employees participate in local state or company pension schemes as appropriate to local market conditions.