GOVERNANCE

The primary role of the Audit and Risk Committee is to ensure the integrity of the financial reporting and audit process and to oversee the maintenance of sound internal control and risk management systems. This includes the responsibility to:

• Make recommendations to the Board on the appointment and remuneration of the external auditor, review and monitor the external auditors’ performance, expertise, independence, and objectivity, along with the effectiveness of the audit process and its scope;
• Review and monitor the integrity of the Group’s financial statements and the significant reporting judgements contained in them;
• Monitor the appropriateness of accounting policies and practices;
• Review the adequacy and effectiveness of financial reporting and internal control policies and procedures, and risk management systems.
• Monitor and review the activities and effectiveness of the internal audit function;
• Review the effectiveness of the Group’s whistleblowing policies.

• Monitor risks and compliance procedures across the Group.

   

External and internal auditors are invited to attend the Audit and Risk Committee meetings, along with any other Director or member of staff considered necessary by the Committee to complete its work. The Committee meets with external auditors and internal auditors without Executive Directors or members of staff present at least once a year, and additionally, as it considers appropriate.

Further information regarding External Auditors, Risk Management Processes, Internal Controls, and the principal matters considered by the Audit and Risk Committee during 2024 is available in our 2024 Annual Report and Accounts found here.

Click here for the Audit and Risk Committee terms of reference.

The Governance and Sustainability Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company’s corporate governance framework and making recommendations to the Board with regards to any adjustments that the Committee considers necessary, and for ensuring that the Company’s corporate governance structure complies with the applicable corporate governance principles and the best governance practices, with a view to ensuring that the Company implements the highest governance standards.

The Governance and Sustainability Committee is also responsible for setting, reviewing, approving and overseeing the Company’s sustainability strategy and management of environmental, social, and governance matters, as well as reviewing and approving the Company’s sustainability policies, programmes, targets and performance.

Further information regarding the Governance and Sustainability Committee and its activities during 2024 is available in our 2024 Annual Report and Accounts found here.

Click here for the Governance and Sustainability Committee terms of reference.