Internal control
The directors are responsible for, and reviewing the effectiveness of, the Company’s system of internal control, including internal financial control, which is designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance regarding: (a) the safeguarding of assets against unauthorised use or disposition, and (b) the maintenance of proper accounting records and the reliability of financial information used within the business or for publication. These controls are designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives due to circumstances which may reasonably be foreseen and can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. The Company has a Statement of Business Principles applicable to all employees. The Company also has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which applies to all employees. These are two of a number of Standing Instructions to employees of the Group designed to enhance internal control. Along with the Finance Standing Instructions, these are regularly updated and made available to staff through the Company’s intranet.