Directors' responsibility statement
The following statement, which should be read in conjunction with the report of the independent auditors, is made with a view to distinguishing for shareholders the respective responsibilities of the Directors and the auditors in relation to the financial statements.
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Accounts. The Directors have responsibility for ensuring that the Group keeps proper accounting records. They are required by company law to prepare financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the Group at the end of the financial year and of the results for the year. They are also responsible for taking reasonable steps to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
The Directors remain satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to continue in business and accordingly that the financial statements should be drawn up on a going concern basis. Further, appropriate accounting policies consistently applied and supported by reasonable and prudent judgments and estimates have been used in the preparation of these financial statements and applicable accounting standards have been followed. These policies and standards, for which the Directors accept responsibility, have been discussed with the auditors.
The Directors, having prepared the financial statements, have requested the auditors to take whatever steps and to undertake whatever inspections they consider appropriate for the purpose of giving their report.
From Chairman's and Chief Executive's statement to Corporate governance report and from Nominations Committee report to Directors' responsibility statement contain the Directors' report and Remuneration report, both of which have been drawn up and presented in accordance with and in reliance upon applicable English company law and the liabilities of the Directors in connection with that report shall be subject to the limitations and restrictions provided by such law.
The statement in Continued progress of Chairman and the Chief Executive and the business review contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, and results of, operations and businesses of the Group. These statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and forecasts. Forward-looking statements and forecasts are based on the Directors' current view and information known to them at the date of this report. The Directors do not make any undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Nothing in this report should be construed as a profit forecast.