Strategic report Governance Financial statements Other information INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HARGREAVES LANSDOWN PLC CONTINUED Based on our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 requires us also Our review of the directors’ statement regarding the longer-term viability of the group was to report certain opinions and matters as described below: substantially less in scope than an audit and only consisted of making inquiries and considering the directors’ process supporting their statement; checking that the statement is in alignment with the Strategic report and Directors’ report relevant provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code; and considering whether the statement In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in is consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge and understanding of the group and the Strategic report and Directors’ report for the year ended 30 June 2021 is consistent with the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit. financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. In addition, based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the In light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent company and their following elements of the corporate governance statement is materially consistent with the financial environment obtained in the course of the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements statements and our knowledge obtained during the audit: in the Strategic report and Directors’ report. The directors’ statement that they consider the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced • Directors’ Remuneration and understandable, and provides the information necessary for the members to assess the In our opinion, the part of the Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared group’s and parent company’s position, performance, business model and strategy; in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The section of the Annual Report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management • and internal control systems; and Corporate governance statement •The section of the Annual Report describing the work of the Audit Committee. The Listing Rules require us to review the directors’ statements in relation to going concern, longer- term viability and that part of the corporate governance statement relating to the parent company’s We have nothing to report in respect of our responsibility to report when the directors’ statement compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our review. Our relating to the parent company’s compliance with the Code does not properly disclose a departure additional responsibilities with respect to the corporate governance statement as other information from a relevant provision of the Code specified under the Listing Rules for review by the auditors. are described in the Reporting on other information section of this report. Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements elements of the corporate governance statement, included within the directors’ report is materially As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors’ responsibilities, the directors are responsible for consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge obtained during the audit, and we have the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to: satisfied that they give a true and fair view. The directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from •The directors’ confirmation that they have carried out a robust assessment of the emerging material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. and principal risks; In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group’s and the •The disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those principal risks, what procedures are in parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to place to identify emerging risks and an explanation of how these are being managed or mitigated; going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to The directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether they considered it appropriate liquidate the group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but • to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing them, and their identification of any to do so. material uncertainties to the group’s and parent company’s ability to continue to do so over a period Auditors’ responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements; Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole The directors’ explanation as to their assessment of the group’s and parent company’s prospects, are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report • the period this assessment covers and why the period is appropriate; and that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it •The directors’ statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the parent exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the company will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the periodaggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on of its assessment, including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary the basis of these financial statements. qualificationsor assumptions. 141 Hargreaves Lansdown Report and Financial Statements 2021