Strategic report Governance Financial statements Other information CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT SAFEGUARDING FUTURE SUCCESS The Board is responsible for promoting the sustainable success of the Group, generating value for the Company’s shareholders over the long-term, and contributing to wider society by building strong and lasting relationships with its other stakeholders. Board leadership and Company purpose The Board has overseen the embedding of SMCR and the changes The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Head The Board sets the Group’s purpose, values and strategy, and introduced last year to the Group’s governance framework, of Investor Relations regularly meet with the Company’s major is responsible for developing and overseeing its framework of including in relation to oversight of investment decisions and shareholders to discuss performance and strategy. This includes, governance, risk management and internal controls to ensure decisions relating to the Wealth Shortlist, This has continued to albeit primarily virtually this year, a series of investor roadshows that its business is managed effectively in an environment that contribute to developing the Group’s culture by promoting greater following the release of the Group’s interim and full year results, promotes and safeguards its future success. clarity on responsibilities and accountability and better decision and meetings throughout the year with existing and prospective You can read more about the Board’s role in setting and monitoring making processes within the organisation. investors both one-on-one and in groups at investor conferences. the Group’s strategic priorities on page 80 of this report and in You can read more about the Group’s values and how the Group’s The Chair meets or speaks with the Company’s major the Group’s Section 172 Statement on pages 130 to 133. You can approach to investing in and rewarding its workforce aligns to those shareholders throughout the year to discuss governance matters read more about how the Board has considered the Group’s values on page 33 of the Strategic Report. and the Senior Independent Director, Head of Investor Relations opportunities and risks, the sustainability of its business model, Engagement with stakeholders and Group Company Secretary are also available to major and how governance around the Group’s risk management The Board recognises that active engagement with the Company’s shareholders who wish to raise questions, queries or concerns. framework contributes to the delivery of its strategic objectives, key stakeholders is fundamental to promoting the Group’s The Committee Chairs are available to meet with shareholders on pages 50 to 58 of the Strategic Report. long-term success. to discuss matters relevant to their roles. The Board also plays a key role in setting the Group’s culture and Details of how the Group engages with its key stakeholders can be The outcome of interactions with the Company’s shareholders monitoring how it is being embedded to ensure alignment with the found on pages 36 to 38 of the Strategic Report, and information are regularly fed back to the Board to ensure that, as a whole, it has Group’s business priorities. An action plan was agreed last financialon how stakeholder interests have been considered in Board a clear understanding of shareholder views. To provide further year to capitalise on the opportunities to develop the Group’s discussions and decision making can be found in the Group’s perspective, analyst and broker briefings are regularly provided to culture identified following an internal culture audit and feedback Section 172 Statement on pages 130 to 133. the Board. This includes insights into investor sentiment following from colleagues. The Board has been involved in a number of the release of the Group’s interim and final results. Following the ongoing key initiatives including the development of the HL Way Investor relations appointment of Adrian Collins as the Nominated Director, the Board (for further information on the HL Way please see page 31), more The Board recognises the importance of maintaining good also benefits from having someone able to represent a founder accessible and effective communication of the Group’s strategy communication with the Company’s shareholders and there is a shareholder, Peter Hargreaves, on all issues considered by the Board. and vision to create a clearer sense of purpose and common goals, comprehensive investor relations programme in place to ensure The Group has a programme of communication to the Company’s improvements to the KPIs used to oversee culture and leadership effective engagement. wider shareholder base and the market centred around its financial capabilities, and reviewing and updating colleague development reporting calendar. The Investor Relations pages of the Group’s programmes and performance management frameworks. website at www.hl.co.uk/investor-relations contain a variety of online content for shareholders, including presentations, key financial data and other shareholder news and business insights. 71 Hargreaves Lansdown Report and Financial Statements 2021