DCC integrates innovation directly into their investment case, showing how digital and technological capabilities drive efficiency, returns and long-term growth. This makes it a clear best-practice example of presenting innovation as a core value driver, not a standalone initiative.
UK 2025-2026
Webranking by Comprend evaluates the UK’s largest listed companies on how well their corporate websites meet stakeholder expectations. Now in its 29th year, the ranking evaluates the digital communications of the largest UK and European companies. This year, UK companies achieved an average score of 46.4 out of 100, slightly below the Europe 500 average of 47.1.
This year’s survey of 104 businesses showed that while 79% of UK companies discuss how emerging technologies such as AI are affecting their business and 65% publish detailed information or examples, only 10% disclose how they use AI responsibly. This puts the UK slightly behind the European average of just 12%.
While UK companies continue to perform well on the fundamentals - particularly in accessibility - the results reveal growing pressure to communicate more clearly on new and complex topics such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and sustainability governance.
James Handslip, Managing Director, Comprend UK says:
“Top performers in Webranking demonstrate consistent strengths in financial transparency, accessibility, and cohesive storytelling - linking strategy, sustainability, and digital transformation across their corporate sites. This year, more than ever, interest in how companies use emerging technologies is high. Yet the findings show a clear gap between discussing AI and demonstrating responsible governance, highlighting a critical opportunity for companies to build trust through greater transparency.”
46.4/100
Average score UK 2025-2026
47.1/100
Average score Europe 500
Key findings
The findings reflect how UK companies are navigating a rapidly changing communication landscape shaped by regulation and technology. As frameworks like the EU AI Act, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the European Accessibility Act set new benchmarks for disclosure, companies are expected to present complex information in an accessible, credible, and consistent way.
- Responsible AI disclosure remains a major blind spot as only 10% of companies disclose how they use AI responsibly.
- Three-quarters of UK companies (75%) publish an accessibility statement but lag behind European companies in disclosing responsible AI.
- Sustainability communication is expanding but still uneven.
Strengths and challenges for UK companies
75%
of the UK companies publish an accessibility statement
Strong accessibility performance
Accessibility continues to stand out as a clear strength among UK companies. Three out of four publish an accessibility statement, a level of transparency that places the UK far ahead of the Europe 500 average of 42%. The commitment is also reflected in performance: 86% of UK corporate websites receive an Accessibility Cloud rating of A or B, compared with 79% across Europe.
Taken together, these results indicate that UK companies are further ahead in integrating accessibility into their broader approach to digital quality and inclusion. This is an encouraging development at a time when new accessibility regulations are beginning to take effect.
86%
achieve an Accessibility Cloud rating of A or B
AI communication expands, but responsibility remains under-addressed
The survey shows that 79% of UK companies provide at least brief information on how technologies such as AI, IoT or blockchain affect their business, and 65% go a step further by offering detailed examples or dedicated pages. This indicates that most companies recognise the strategic importance of emerging technologies and are beginning to integrate them into their broader corporate narrative.
However, only 10% disclose how they manage ethical or responsible AI through a policy, framework or similar guidance – slightly below the European average of 12%. This limited transparency reveals a clear gap between discussing the opportunities of new technologies and demonstrating mature governance practices.
As investor expectations rise and regulatory developments accelerate, this gap presents an opportunity for UK companies to take a more proactive and visible leadership role in AI governance, strengthening trust through clearer communication.
79%
provide brief information about how emerging technologies affect their business
65%
provide detailed information about how emerging technologies affect their business
10%
disclose their approach to ethical or responsible AI
9%
publish a double materiality analysis
Sustainability disclosure diversifies
As sustainability reporting enters a new era, UK companies are gradually broadening and strengthening their communication. Nearly one in five now disclose external assurance of their sustainability data, compared with 12% across Europe, signalling a growing focus on credibility and robustness.
A smaller but notable share – 9% – publish a double materiality assessment, reflecting early adoption of evolving reporting standards. Sustainability is also becoming more visible in employer communication, with 57% of UK companies presenting sustainability information within their careers section to demonstrate purpose and engage prospective employees.
Together, these developments show that many UK companies are beginning to weave sustainability more consistently throughout their corporate narrative, rather than limiting it to dedicated ESG sections.
57%
include sustainability information in the careers section
Innovation and digitalisation gaining visibility
A growing focus on future-readiness is also visible in how UK companies articulate their equity story. This year, 37% include information about innovation, digitalisation or AI initiatives within their investment case.
While still emerging, this marks a clear shift: these themes are no longer presented as standalone transformation projects, but increasingly positioned as strategic drivers of growth, efficiency and long-term competitiveness.
For investors, this provides a more complete picture of how companies are adapting to technological change and where they see value creation in the years ahead.
37%
include information about innovation, AI or digitalisation in their investment case
1. Coca-Cola HBC
63.0/100 points
2. BP
61.8/100 points
3. Centrica
59.7/100 points
Top 3 - UK
Coca-Cola HBC take the top spot in the UK this year, rising from sixth place and improving their score by 2 points.
Their website performs strongly in sustainability communication, supported by engaging homepage and about us sections that reflect openness and clear stakeholder focus.
Last year's UK winner BP have dropped one placement, losing 6.4 points compared with last year. However, the website still stands out for its careers and sustainability sections, offering comprehensive content. Focused messaging supports transparency and stakeholder communication.
Centrica have climbed two placements since last year and are now in the UK top three. Centrica's website features clear structure and appealing design. Strong sustainability and about us sections, as well as features and functionalities, highlight the company’s purpose and progress.
"We are delighted to be ranked in third place for UK companies in this year’s Webranking by Comprend. This achievement reflects our continued efforts to deliver clear, accessible digital content and a user-centric online experience. It is a strong endorsement of our ongoing commitment to transparency, best practice and meaningful engagement with our stakeholders." says Michael Pullan, Head of Digital Communications, Centrica.
Best climber
This year’s best climber is Croda International, which has increased its score by 5.7 points compared with last year – the strongest improvement among all UK companies. The uplift is driven by notable enhancements across several key areas, including a more informative and structured press section, a strengthened homepage that provides clearer entry points for stakeholders, and improved sustainability communication. Well done!
+ 5.7
points
Top 20 - UK
| Rank | Company | Sector | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coca-Cola HBC | Food, Beverage and Tobacco | 63.0 |
| 2 | BP | Energy | 61.8 |
| 3 | Centrica | Utilities | 59.7 |
| 4 | Diageo | Food, Beverage and Tobacco | 58.4 |
| 5 | Halma | Industrial Goods and Services | 57.7 |
| 6 | Croda International | Chemicals | 57.6 |
| 7 | GlaxoSmithKline | Health Care | 57.3 |
| 8 | HSBC | Banks | 57.2 |
| 9 | Phoenix Group | Insurance | 56.6 |
| 10 | Shell | Energy | 56.3 |
| 11 | Vodafone Group | Telecommunications | 56.1 |
| 12 | Weir Group | Industrial Goods and Services | 56.0 |
| 13 | Aviva | Insurance | 55.9 |
| 14 | Rolls-Royce Holdings | Industrial Goods and Services | 55.7 |
| 15 | Smiths Group | Industrial Goods and Services | 55.5 |
| 16 | NatWest Group | Banks | 55.3 |
| 17 | Rio Tinto | Basic Resources | 54.9 |
| 18 | BT Group | Telecommunications | 54.7 |
| 19 | Experian | Industrial Goods and Services | 54.5 |
| 20 | Hiscox | Insurance | 54.0 |
Webranking by Comprend
Understand your audience's expectations and improve your communication. We base our insights on stakeholder expectations and provide actionable insights and benchmarking.
The Webranking report
The Webranking report is an online tool featuring 50 core criteria and 50 in-depth criteria. Buying the report gives you full access to this information – it allows you to check your results, view the survey criteria and data, compare your performance against selected peers, and much more.
Contact us
We’re more than happy to talk you through Webranking over a call, or perhaps a cup of coffee.
Humla TördHead of Webranking
Freja NilssonProject manager, Webranking