The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to dominate the global agenda over the last year, bringing unprecedented uncertainty for many communities across the world. As governments tackle both the health crisis and economic stability, our professionals have continued to play a fundamental role in helping society to respond and ‘build back better’, shifting focus to economic recovery and the reopening of society. This includes shaping a post-pandemic future for workplaces and more sustainable and resilient communities, as well as tackling pre-COVID-19 issues that have grown in relevance. Maintaining trust in the profession and its critical expertise has proved vital as it acts in the public interest to effect positive change.

As a standard setter, regulator, educator and global professional body, we are constantly assessing our role in delivering confidence to governments, markets and the public, and acting as a force for positive social impact. This report summarises our performance during the course of 2020–2021 towards our 153-year-old purpose: to promote the usefulness of the profession for public advantage.