Effective risk management and control is key to the delivery of our business strategy and objectives.

Our risk management and control processes are designed to identify, assess, mitigate and monitor significant risks, and provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that the Group will be successful in delivering its objectives.

Effective Management

Risk Management Process

Our strategy informs the setting of objectives across the business and is widely communicated. Strategic risks and opportunities are identified as an integral part of the strategy setting process.

The Board oversees the risk management and internal control framework and the Audit Committee reviews the effectiveness of the risk management process and the internal control framework.

Our Senior Executive Team (SET) owns the risk management process and is responsible for managing specific Group risks. The SET members are also responsible for embedding sound risk management in strategy, planning, budgeting, performance management, and operational processes within their respective Operating Segments and business units.

The Board and the SET together set the tone and decide the level of risk and control to be taken in achieving the Group's objectives.

SET members present their risks, controls and mitigation plans to the Board for review on a rolling programme throughout the year. The SET is responsible for conducting self-assessments of their risks and the effectiveness of their control processes. Where control weaknesses are identified, remedial action plans are developed, and these are included in the risk reports presented to the Board.

Internal Audit co-ordinates the risk reporting process and provides independent assurance on the internal control framework.

Dechra Culture

The Dechra Values are the foundation of our entire business culture including our approach to risk management and control. The Board expects that these Values should drive the behaviours and actions of all employees. We encourage an open communication style where it is normal practice to escalate issues promptly so that appropriate action can be taken quickly to minimise any impact on the business.

Internal Control Framework

Our internal control framework is designed to ensure:

  • proper financial records are maintained;
  • the Group's assets are safeguarded;
  • compliance with laws and regulations; and
  • effective and efficient operation of business processes.

Management Structure

Our management structure has clearly defined reporting lines, accountabilities and authority levels. The Group is organised into business units. Each business unit is led by a SET member and has its own management team.

Policies and Procedures

Our key financial, legal and compliance policies that apply across the Group are:

  • Code of Business Conduct and How to Raise a Concern;
  • Delegation of Authorities;
  • Dechra Finance Manual, including Tax and Treasury policies;
  • Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption;
  • Data Protection;
  • Sanctions; and
  • Charitable Donations.

Strategy and Business Planning

We have a five year strategic plan which is developed by the SET and endorsed by the Board annually. Business objectives and performance measures are defined annually, together with budgets and forecasts. Monthly business performance reviews are conducted at both Group and business unit levels.

Operational Controls

Our key operational control processes are as follows:

  • Product Pipeline Reviews: We review our pipeline regularly to identify new product ideas and assess fit with our product portfolio, review whether products in development are progressing according to schedule; and assess the expected commercial return on new products.
  • Lifecycle Management: We manage and monitor lifecycle management activities for our key products to meet evolving customer needs.
  • Pricing Policies: We manage and monitor our national and European pricing policies to deliver equitable pricing for each customer group.
  • Quality Assurance: Each of our manufacturing sites have an established Quality Management System. These systems are designed to ensure that our products are manufactured to a high standard and in compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements.
  • Pharmacovigilance: Our regulatory team operates a robust system with a view to ensuring that any adverse reactions related to the use of our products are reported and dealt with promptly.
  • Financial Controls: Our controls are designed to prevent and detect financial misstatement or fraud and operate at three levels:
    • Entity Level Controls performed by senior managers at Group and business unit level;
    • Month-end and year-end procedures performed as part of our regular financial reporting and management processes; and
    • Transactional Level Controls operated on a day-to-day basis.

The key controls in place to manage our principal risks are described in further detail on Understanding Our Key Risks.

Internal Audit provides independent and objective assurance and advice on the design and operation of the Group's internal control framework. The internal audit plan seeks to provide balanced coverage of the Group's material financial, operational and compliance control processes.

Improvements in 2019

We have continued to strengthen and improve our governance and control processes and the following changes have been implemented:

  • a Strategic Portfolio Prioritisation Committee has been established to prioritise better our product development projects and new project management tools have been implemented to improve the planning and delivery of our product pipeline;
  • a Treasury management system and Zero Balancing processes have been implemented to enable more effective cash pooling;
  • our Third Party Code of Conduct and online training have been communicated to our higher risk third parties as part of our ongoing Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABC) compliance programme;
  • changes to the leadership team in our Manufacturing and Supply organisation and additional investments to strengthen our manufacturing and supply capabilities; and
  • we are in the process of embedding our financial control framework and have implemented our ABC compliance programme in Venco, our recent acquisition in Brazil.

Plans for 2020

We will continue to refine and strengthen our internal control framework where required in response to changes in our risk profile and improvement opportunities identified by business management, quality assurance and internal audit. Our Manufacturing and Supply processes are the primary focus area for 2020.

Our business growth and the continued expansion of our product portfolio through acquisition, has contributed to increased complexity in our Manufacturing and Supply network. We have experienced challenges with the production and supply of some products from both our internal and external network in 2019, but these have not had a material impact on the Group's performance. The majority of issues have now been remedied with all but two products to be back in supply in the first six months of the year.

We are committed to maintaining a robust network that complies with rigorous product quality and regulatory standards, in order to provide a reliable supply of high quality products to our worldwide customer base.

To continue to meet this commitment, we plan to make further investments in our people, manufacturing, quality and supply processes, and production facilities. We are also making improvements to the governance and oversight processes and the performance measures to monitor our internal and external network.