Strategic report Governance Financial statements Other information DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED Employee engagement and involvement Electronic communications and dividend payments Disclosure of information to external auditor The Group is committed to engaging and communicating with Shareholder communications are only sent in paper format to Each of the persons who are Directors at the time when this report colleagues to ensure they understand the Group’s purpose, vision shareholders who have elected to receive documents in this way. is approved confirms that: and priorities and how they each play their part in the development This approach enables the Company to reduce printing and So far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of its business. Information on action taken to ensure colleagues distribution costs and the impact of the documents on the • are provided with information on matters that concern them and environment. Shareholders who wish to receive email notification of which the Company’s external auditor is unaware; and to promote awareness of the factors affecting the Group’s instead of paper copies can register online at www.shareview.co.uk. •They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as performance can be found on pages 34 to 35 of the Strategic Shareholders can also request that dividends are paid directly into a Director to make themselves aware of any relevant audit Report. Details of how the Group engages with colleagues and how their bank or building society account via Shareview. This saves information and to establish that the Company’s external auditor their interests are considered in decision making can be found on time and is more secure than receiving dividends by cheque, is aware of that information. pages 34 to 35 of the Strategic Report and in the Group’s Section which could arrive late or be lost in the post. 172 Statement on pages 130 to 133. This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance Going concern with Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006. Further details of how we encourage colleague involvement in the In adopting the going concern basis for preparing the financial Group’s performance, including by way of participation in share Approved by and signed by order of the Board. schemes, can be found on page 33 of the Strategic Report. statements, the Directors have considered the Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future Details of the Group’s policies for the recruitment, continuing development, performance and position including the impact Victoria Orme employment and career development of disabled persons can be of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the Group’s Group Company Secretary found on pages 33 of the Strategic Report. principal risks and uncertainties, details of which can be found in the Strategic Report. The Operating and Financial Review on pages 8 August 2021 Post-balance sheet events 59 to 64 of the Strategic Report describes the Group’s robust Details of important events affecting the Group that have occurred balance sheet, managed to internal risk appetite and regulatory since the end of the period under review can be found in note 5.5 capital limits, and a business with a high conversion of operating to the consolidated financial statements on page 164. profit to cash and a strong net cash position. Political donations Having regard to the Group’s financial, liquidity and capital position, The Group did not make any political donations or contributions the Board has concluded that it remains appropriate to adopt the or incur any political expenditure during the period under review. going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Group’s Annual General Meeting financial statements. The challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may Long-term viability necessitate a change from the usual manner in which the Company In accordance with Provision 31 of the Code, the Directors have holds its AGM. The Board will consider all options having regard to assessed the prospects of the Group over a longer period than the any restrictions on public gatherings, and the possibility of more 12 months required by the going concern provision. Details of this severe restrictions being imposed at short notice. Further assessment can be found on page 52 of the Strategic Report. information, along with details of all resolutions to be proposed to the Company’s shareholders and how to vote, will be set out in the Notice of AGM that will be circulated ahead of the meeting. 129 Hargreaves Lansdown Report and Financial Statements 2021