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Corporate governance

Close Brothers Group plc (the “Company”) is committed to high standards of corporate governance, corporate responsibility and risk management in directing and controlling its business. The UK Corporate Governance Code (the “Code”), issued by the Financial Reporting Council, is the governance code which applies to UK companies with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange.

The version of the Code, published in July 2018, was applicable to the Company throughout the year to 31 July 2023.

It is the board’s view that throughout the year the company has applied the principles and complied with the provisions set out in the Code.

Further detail and examples as to how the company has applied and complied with the Code are set out in the Corporate Governance Report in the 2023 Annual Report.

     

    The board comprises two executive directors, eight independent non-executive directors and the Chairman who contribute a wide range of complementary skills and experience.

    Brief biographical details of each director are set out on the Leadership section of the Who we are page of this website.

    The non-executive Chairman, Mike Biggs, was considered independent on his appointment as Chairman. The senior independent director is Mark Pain.

    The board believes that there is an appropriate balance of executive and non-executive directors on the board, with no individual or small group dominating its decision-making process.

    The board has determined its non-executive directors to be independent in character and judgement.

    The formal schedule of Matters Reserved for the board is designed to enable the board and executive management to operate within a clear governance framework. The schedule details the areas of the board’s focus which is on activities that enable it to promote shareholders’ interests, including the active consideration of strategy, the monitoring of executive action including sound systems of internal controls, and ongoing board and executive management succession. The board has developed these principles to help it fulfil its responsibilities. The board regularly keeps its work and performance under review.

    Matters Reserved for the Board

    Statement of Responsibilities of the Chairman, CEO and Senior Independent Director

    Board Diversity & Inclusion Policy

     

    The board has established four committees, composed entirely of independent non-executive directors, each with responsibility for the review and oversight of activities within its terms of reference.

    Audit Committee

    The Audit Committee is chaired by Kari Hale and its other members are Patricia Halliday, Tesula Mohindra and Sally Williams. The Committee normally meets five times a year and the external auditor partner attends these meetings. The Committee chairman, Kari Hale, is deemed by the board to have recent and relevant financial experience.

    Click here to read the Audit Committee's terms of reference

    Remuneration Committee

    The Remuneration Committee is chaired by Tracey Graham and its other members are Mike Biggs and Mark Pain. The Committee normally meets five times a year.

    Click here to read the Remuneration Committee's terms of reference

    Nomination and Governance Committee

    The Nomination and Governance Committee is chaired by Mike Biggs and its other members are Tracey Graham and Mark Pain. The Committee normally meets no less than three times a year.

    Click here to read the Nomination and Governance Committee's terms of reference

    Risk Committee

    The Risk Committee is chaired by Patricia Halliday and its other members are Tracey Graham, Kari Hale, Tesula Mohindra, Mark Pain and Sally Williams. The Committee normally meets five times a year.

    Click here to read the Risk Committee's terms of reference

     

    The Company’s latest Corporate Governance report, as included in its Annual Report 2023, is available here.

     

    The Company’s Sustainability Report, as included in its Annual Report 2023, is available here.

     

    Close Brothers approach to tax

    Our approach to tax is part of our wider commitment to responsible finance. For our tax affairs, responsible finance means that we are committed to complying with our tax obligations and doing so in a manner consistent with the spirit as well as the letter of tax laws. This includes a transparent and cooperative relationship with the tax authorities.

    In the sections below we outline in more detail the group’s approach to tax and what we do to ensure we deliver on these objectives. Our approach covers all direct and indirect taxes.

    Our core businesses – lending, deposit-taking, wealth management and market-making – each have straightforward product offerings. Our tax obligations arise mainly in the UK where our operations and customers are predominately based. Our straightforward business model and approach to our markets reduces the complexity of our tax affairs and helps us maintain a lower risk tax profile.

    Approach to risk management and governance arrangements

    Close Brothers Group plc ("CBG") is the parent company of the group, and takes ultimate responsibility for the tax affairs of all group companies.

    The CBG board of directors sets the group's tax policy, including the approach to tax risk management and governance. The Audit Committee of the CBG board reviews material developments in the area of taxation at least annually and more frequently as required.

    Ensuring compliance with the group’s tax risk management and governance policies is part of our group-wide Enterprise Risk Management Framework, outlined in the Risk Report on pages 74 to 75 of our 2022 Annual Report and Accounts (which can be read at www.closebrothers.com).

    The group maintains internal procedures which document the roles and responsibilities in relation to management of all tax types. These procedures ensure that tax sensitive matters are addressed on a timely basis by staff of appropriate experience and seniority. A tax review is required for all new products and services and for significant transactions and business developments which might involve tax risk.

    The responsibility for early identification of potentially tax sensitive matters is assigned primarily to senior finance managers (who have timely awareness of developments in their business areas) and to the group’s tax team. The group employs suitably qualified and experienced tax specialists who work closely with their finance colleagues and the wider business, and take the lead role in assessing the need for external advice.

    The group regularly reviews all business areas to identify and document tax risks. Tax processes are in place to manage these risks, including testing of the systems and internal controls relied on to produce accurate tax returns.

    Level of risk in relation to UK taxation that the group is prepared to accept

    We manage tax risk within the risk appetite set by the Board. The group has a low appetite for tax risk.

    We seek to minimise uncertainty in relation to our tax affairs by proactively identifying and addressing potential tax issues. Where the tax risk profile of a material transaction or other business development is unclear then typically we will seek external advice, and if the position is still unclear then we discuss with HM Revenue & Customs.

    Attitude towards tax planning

    CBG takes a conservative approach to tax planning, and has undertaken to abide by the Code of Practice on Taxation for Banks in relation to all group companies. As a result:

    • Group companies do not engage in tax planning other than that which supports genuine commercial activity;
    • The tax affairs of the group reflect the underlying economic realities of the group's business (unless the relevant tax legislation is clearly designed to give a different result);
    • We do not promote products and services to customers unless we reasonably believe the tax result for the customer is not contrary to the intentions of Parliament;
    • Remuneration packages for group employees are structured so that the proper amounts of tax and national insurance contributions are paid.

    Consideration of our future relationship with the tax authorities will form part of any decision whether to proceed with tax planning.

    We also consider the risk of public reputational damage which could result from our participation in tax related arrangements, even where we believe the outcome is otherwise consistent with the above principles.

    Subject to the above the group will seek to pursue its commercial objectives in a tax efficient manner.

    The group’s approach towards its dealings with tax authorities

    The group seeks to maintain a favourable long-term relationship with the tax authorities, and works proactively to achieve this. As a predominately UK group our main tax authority relationship is with HM Revenue & Customs.

    Employees of group companies are required to maintain an open, professional, and constructive relationship with the tax authorities. For any material issues, they will seek to work collaboratively to achieve early resolution and hence certainty, and will make full and accurate disclosure of the relevant facts.

    We are in regular contact with HM Revenue & Customs personnel, in particular those assigned an ongoing relationship with our group. Where appropriate we can and do discuss tax issues with them in real-time.

    We consider that the above statements meet the group’s obligation under para 16(2) Schedule 19 Finance Act 2016 for the year ended 31 July 2023.

     

    Close Brothers Group has a zero tolerance to bribery and corruption. This policy extends to all the group’s business dealings and transactions in all countries in which it or its subsidiaries and associates operate. All directors and employees are required to comply with this policy.

     

    Please click below to view the company's Articles of Association. If you would like a hard copy, contact:

    The Company Secretary
    Close Brothers Group plc
    10 Crown Place
    London EC2A 4FT

    Email: company.secretary@closebrothers.com

    Articles of Association

    The board retains overall responsibility for overseeing the maintenance of a system of internal control, which ensures that an effective risk management framework and oversight process operate across the group. The risk management framework and associated governance arrangements are designed to ensure a clear organisational structure with distinct, transparent and consistent lines of responsibility and effective processes to identify, manage, monitor and report the risks to which the group is, or may become, exposed. On an annual basis, the board reviews the effectiveness of the group’s risk management and internal control systems.

    For more information on the risk management framework, please click here.

    The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 (the “Regulations”) require companies, where they meet certain qualifying conditions, to include a statement in their strategic report describing how the directors have had regard to the matters set out in section 172 of the Companies Act 2006. 

    A separate section 172 statement for all companies within the group which meet the qualifying conditions must be made available on a website.

    Please find below the section 172 statements for Close Brothers Group plc and its subsidiaries which meet the qualifying conditions, other than in respect of those subsidiaries whose section 172 statement is displayed separately on their own website. 

    A statement of corporate governance arrangements for Close Brothers Limited, as required by the Regulations, can also be found in the link below:

    Close Brothers Group plc - Section 172 Statement 

    Close Brothers Limited  - Section 172 Statement

    Close Brothers Limited - Statement of Corporate Governance Arrangements

    Close Brothers Holdings Limited  - Section 172 Statement

    Close Brothers Finance plc - Section 172 Statement