The Board is responsible to shareholders for creating and delivering sustainable shareholder value through the management of the Group’s business. This report explains Prudential’s approach to governance, including how the Board manages the business for the benefit of shareholders, promoting long-term shareholder interest.

As a UK company listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, Prudential is subject to the governance rules set out in the Combined Code on Corporate Governance (the Combined Code). The Board has approved a governance framework which maps out the internal approvals processes and those matters which may be delegated. These principally relate to the operational management of the Group’s businesses and include pre-determined authority limits delegated by the Board to the Group Chief Executive for further delegation by him in respect of matters which are necessary for the effective day-to-day running and management of the business. The chief executive of each business unit has authority for the management of that business unit and has established a management board comprising its most senior executives.

The Board has overall responsibility for the system of internal control and risk management and for reviewing its effectiveness. The framework setting out the Group’s approach to internal control, risk management and corporate responsibility comprises the following:

• Group governance framework: Documents the Group’s internal control policies and processes in an online manual, including the Group’s risk framework, code of business conduct and detailed policies on key operational and financial risks. Business units are also required to follow any additional processes necessary to comply with local statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Group risk framework: Provides an overview of the Group-wide philosophy and approach to risk management, and sets out the key risk management processes which support the Group’s compliance with internal, statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Corporate responsibility framework: Provides an overview of the Group-wide philosophy and approach to corporate responsibility; supports the Group’s commercial focus and the increasing challenges faced including changes in stakeholder expectations. A key element is the Group Code of Business Conduct which sets out the ethical standards the Board requires of itself, employees, agents and others working on behalf of the Group, in their dealings with employees, customers, shareholders, suppliers, and competitors, in the wider community and in respect of the environment.

The Business Review provides further detail on Prudential’s risk appetite and exposures and corporate responsibility activities.