Policies

Financial and investment policy

Hakon Invest’s business involves exposure to financial risks. This applies in particular to financial management but also to investment operations.

The financial and investment policy combined with guidelines for financial management and investments provide the framework for Hakon Invest’s financial management and management of financial risks. The purpose of the policy and guidelines is to provide guidance in the day-to-day work for people, both within Hakon Invest and externally, who are engaged in financial management.

According to the policy Hakon Invest shall, among other things

• seek to create financial flexibility and reduce the risks in its financial management.
• seek flexibility in its financial management and avoid dependence on single funding sources.
• invest liquid assets in operations that can be accepted on the basis of the core values.
• as an owner of equity act on the basis on the long-term perspective characterized by an active standpoint.

Hakon Invest does not invest in companies with operations in the arms industry or pornography, a guideline that applies to both the company’s own and external management.

Investment policy

Hakon Invest shall, with its ownership of ICA AB as a foundation, be the leading development partner for retail companies in the Nordic and Baltic regions. The policy is only to invest in retail companies that have a strong and clear concept and major opportunities for growth. Furthermore, Hakon Invest only invests in companies with operations that can be accepted in relation to our core values.

If acquisition candidates suit Hakon Invest’s business concept they are assessed against our investment criteria.

Sustainability policy

The sustainability policy guides the way Hakon Invest exercises active and responsible ownership. It is based on our business concept, vision and mission and the company’s core values: responsibility, expertise, dedication, entrepreneurial spirit and partnership. The intention is to support Hakon Invest’s internal operations, portfolio companies and to clarify objectives ahead of future investments.

The sustainability policy applies to all Hakon Invest’s employees and at the same time provides guidance for the operations of the portfolio companies. Other policies and guidelines are also linked to this policy to allow a more detailed explanation of what the sustainability policy means in practice.

Hakon Invest seeks to contribute to the sustainable development of society. Hakon Invest shall, with its ownership of ICA AB as a foundation, be the leading development company for retail companies in the Nordic and Baltic regions. We carry out long-term investments and are an active and responsible owner.

This means that:

• we wish to encourage and be a driving force for entrepreneurship within retail. We want to utilize and spread knowledge and develop retail and entrepreneurial skills for our employees and the companies in which we invest.
• we seek to achieve a good physical and mental working environment that promotes good health and contributes to the development of employees and the company’s operations. We promote diversity and equal opportunities and we do not accept invidious discrimination.
• we try to minimize the environmental impact of our own operations. This means that we sort at source, seek low energy consumption, use renewable electricity and take the environment into consideration in purchasing and business travel.
• we shall always act correctly and according to good practice in terms of competition and insider issues.
• we invest our liquid assets in a way that can be accepted on the basis of our core values.
• we invest in companies with operations that can be accepted on the basis on our core values. Together we develop acquired companies’ business operations in a sustainable direction based on the needs and situation of each company.
• Hakon Invest seeks to ensure that the portfolio companies continually improve within sustainability through active work on the companies’ boards.
• it is the responsibility of the portfolio companies, based on their own operations, to develop relevant policies (within two years from acquisition), systems for control and monitoring as well as communication within sustainability.
• Hakon Invest and our portfolio companies shall comply with all legislation where we conduct operations.
• employees who discover circumstances they perceive contravene legislation and/or Hakon Invest’s core values must inform their immediate manager or the company’s legal counsel without any repercussions whatsoever for the person making the report.

Working environment policy

A good working environment characterized by respect and trust in the individual is a key competitive tool and therefore a strategic issue for Hakon Invest. The working environment policy is intended to create a working environment with cooperation between people and work through social contacts, varied and stimulating working duties and technical development. Hakon Invest’s working environment must also promote health, job satisfaction, motivation, fellowship and acceptance of responsibility for every employee.

Guidelines relating to the working environment, wellness and health care, crisis management, invidious discrimination and non-conformances are linked to the policy.

Environmental policy

Hakon Invest shall based on its area of operations and taking into account the company’s requirements for quality, confidentiality and service, seek to reduce its environmental impact. The environmental policy is intended to facilitate these efforts.

The objectives of Hakon Invest’s environmental work are:

• that all employees shall possess the requisite skills and awareness of environmental issues to be able to accept responsibility for the environment in their day-to-day work.
• that the company should economize with resources and thus limit consumption of energy and input materials.
• that environmental aspects should be taken into account when purchasing equipment, consumables and services.
• that environmental consideration should be exercised in conjunction with travel and transport.
• that as far as possible paper and other waste should be taken care of in an environmentally acceptable manner.
• to continually improve environmental initiatives and continuously evaluate opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of the company’s operations.
• compliance with legislation and other regulations related to the environment comprises a minimum level for environmental work.
• to seek to minimize the environmental impact of Hakon Invest’s portfolio companies and future investments.

Equal opportunities and diversity policy

Hakon Invest regards it as positive if employees have different education, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic and national backgrounds or if they are disabled. According to the equal opportunities and diversity policy everyone at Hakon Invest should show a positive attitude to equal opportunities and diversity. Managers are expected to pursue this issue through active measures.

Diversity requires equal opportunities. As an employer Hakon Invest is responsible for ensuring that active equal opportunities work is conducted and that conditions are created in which every employee and manager can accept part of this responsibility. This makes a positive contribution to Hakon Invest being an attractive employer.

Communication policy

The purpose of the communication policy is to support a long-term efficient exchange of information between Hakon Invest’s employees and between the company and our external stakeholders. It is intended to make it easier for everyone at Hakon Invest to communicate clearly, so that stakeholders at any time have an accurate picture of the company. In this way the communication policy helps to support Hakon Invest’s vision, business concept and strategies.

According to the policy Hakon Invest’s communication must be:

• Transparent – work with communication shall be characterized by openness.
• Trustworthy – al communication shall be trustworthy and accurate to instill confidence in the company.
• Relevant –information communicated by Hakon Invest shall be relevant, thus avoiding an excess of information.
• Active – the aim is to conduct an active and continuous dialogue with Hakon Invest’s stakeholders to ensure that they are well-informed and have an up-to-date perception of the company.
• Available – the aim is to act fast in the provision of information and to be available to answer any questions.

Insider policy

Hakon Invest’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq OMX Nordic, which among other things means that Hakon Invest and certain people associated with Hakon Invest are subject to the rules in the following Swedish legislation: The Insider Penal Act, the Reporting Duty for Certain Holdings of Financial Instruments Act and the Trading in Financial Instruments Act.

Hakon Invest is also obliged to meet the requirements stipulated in the listing requirements from the Nasdaq OMX Nordic.

In order to reduce the risk of insider trading and other prohibited trading procedures, Hakon Invest’s board has decided on an insider policy with associated guidelines.