Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance Statement
The Board
Board balance and independence
Board appointments
Information and professional development
Board performance evaluation
Conflicts of interest
Committees
Audit committee
Remuneration committee
Nomination committee
Corporate Responsibility
Accountability and audit
Internal control
Risk assessment
Control environment and control activities
Information and communication
Monitoring
Relations with shareholders
Annual General Meeting

Corporate Governance Statement

The Board remains committed to high standards of corporate governance which it considers to be central to the effective management of the business and to maintaining the confidence of investors. The Group complies with the laws and endeavours to observe the customs and culture in the countries in which it operates and does business. The Group expects all directors and employees to drive to achieve the highest standards and to act with respect and integrity. The Board monitors and keeps under review the Company's corporate governance framework.

In accordance with the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority, the Company confirms that throughout the financial year ended 31 March 2010 and as at the date of this Annual Report it complied in full with the relevant provisions set out in section 1 of the UK Combined Code on Corporate Governance ('the Code'). This report, together with the Directors' Remuneration Report on pages 70 to 79, provide details of how the Company has applied the principles and complies with the provisions of the Code.

The Board

The Board is collectively responsible for promoting the success of the Company. The Board provides leadership for the Group and concentrates its efforts on strategy, performance, governance and internal control. As at the date of this report, the Board has eight members: the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer and five independent non-executive directors. The names and biographical details of each of the directors and details of their membership of the Board's committees are set out on page 61.

The Board has a formal schedule of matters reserved to it for decision and approval which include, but are not limited to:

the Group's business strategy
annual budget and operating plans
major capital expenditure, acquisitions or divestments
the systems of corporate governance, internal control and risk management
the approval of the interim and annual financial statements
any interim dividend and the recommendation of the final dividend

The Board held six scheduled meetings during the year and also held one ad hoc meeting. The Group's strategy was regularly reviewed. All directors participate in discussions relating to the Group's strategy, financial and trading performance and risk management. The Board considers that it met sufficiently often to enable the directors to discharge their duties effectively.

The table below gives details of directors' attendance at Board and Committee meetings during the financial year ended 31 March 2010.

	Board		Audit Committee	Remuneration Committee	Nomination Committee
	Scheduled	Ad hoc
John Peace	6/6	1/1	-	4/4	2/2
Angela Ahrendts	6/6	1/1	-	-	2/2
Philip Bowman	5/6	0/1	3/3	4/4	1/2
Ian Carter	6/6	1/1	3/3	4/4	2/2
Stacey Cartwright	6/6	1/1	-	-	-
Stephanie George	6/6	1/1	3/3	4/4	2/2
David Tyler	6/6	1/1	3/3	4/4	2/2
John Smith ⁽¹⁾	2/2	-	-	1/1	1/1

At the request of any non-executive director, the Chairman will arrange meetings consisting of only the non-executive directors to allow the opportunity for any concerns to be expressed. During the year, the Chairman maintained regular contact and met with the Senior Independent Director and other non-executive directors.

The Board is chaired by John Peace. The Chairman is responsible for leading the Board and for its effectiveness. Angela Ahrendts is the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the execution of strategy and the day-to-day management of the Group, supported by the Executive Operations Committee. The division of the roles and responsibilities of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are formally set out in writing and agreed by the Board.

(1) John Smith was appointed a non-executive director on 1 December 2009 and was appointed to each of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees on 2 February 2010. He has attended all Board and Committee meetings held since his appointment.

Board balance and independence

John Peace, Philip Bowman, Ian Carter, Stephanie George, John Smith and David Tyler are, in the opinion of the Board, independent of management and free from any business relationship which could materially interfere with the exercise of their independent judgement. During the year under review, the majority of the Board (excluding the Chairman) comprised independent non-executive directors.

The Senior Independent Director, Philip Bowman, supports the Chairman in his role and leads the non-executive directors in the oversight of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Senior Independent Director has a specific responsibility to be available to shareholders if they have concerns which the normal channels have failed to resolve or where such contact is inappropriate.

Board appointments

Board nominations are recommended to the Board by the Nomination Committee under its terms of reference. All directors are subject to election by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting following their appointment and thereafter to re-election at least once every three years in line with the Company's Articles of Association and provision A.7.1. of the Code. The biographical details of those directors seeking election and re-election at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting can be found on page 61 of this Annual Report.

Information and professional development

On appointment, directors receive a full, formal and tailored induction, including meetings with members of the management team and briefings on particular issues. In addition, directors are furnished with an induction pack of information, which includes key Group policies, guidance notes and information on corporate governance matters.

As an ongoing process, directors are briefed and provided with information concerning major developments affecting their roles and responsibilities. In particular, the directors' knowledge of the Group's worldwide operations is regularly updated by arranging presentations from senior management throughout the Group.

The Chairman works closely with the Company Secretary to ensure that the Board is supplied in a timely manner with information in a form and of a quality appropriate to enable it to effectively discharge its duties. Where there are occasions when directors are unable to attend a meeting they have the opportunity to review meeting papers and submit comments to the relevant Chairman. Directors are also supplied with a monthly management report, which provides information on operational and financial performance and the Group's business plans.

All directors are able to consult with the Company Secretary. The appointment and removal of the Company Secretary is a matter reserved for the Board as a whole. Directors may obtain, in the furtherance of their duties, independent professional advice, if necessary, at the Group's expense. In addition, all directors have direct access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary and all senior management.

Board performance evaluation

The Board undertakes a formal and rigorous review of its performance and that of its committees each financial year. In 2009/10, the evaluation was led by the Chairman and involved the completion of a detailed questionnaire. The review considered the outcomes of previous evaluations, the current composition and responsibilities of the Board and each of its committees, together with the frequency and structure of meetings. In addition, the review considered the contribution and effectiveness of the executive and non-executive directors. Feedback from the review was considered and it was concluded that the Board and its committees operate efficiently and effectively.

As a result of the review in 2008/09, it was agreed that the Board would dedicate more time to meeting with senior management. In October 2009, the Board Strategy meeting was attended by senior management from around the world who presented at the meeting.

The evaluation of the Chairman, which was led by the Senior Independent Director, was undertaken at a formal meeting of the non-executive directors. The review concluded that the Chairman continues to provide effective leadership and that he committed sufficient time to the performance of his duties. The major commitments of the Chairman are detailed in his biography on page 61.

The Board has agreed that the evaluation of its performance will be undertaken using an external facilitator in 2010/11.

Conflicts of interest

The Board has authority to approve directors' conflicts and potential conflicts of interest and has adopted a policy and procedures to manage and, where appropriate, to approve such conflicts.

A review of situational conflicts which have been authorised is undertaken by the Board annually. Following the review for 2009/10, the Board concluded that there is currently no compromise to the independence of any director arising from an external appointment or any outside commercial interest.

Committees

The Board is supported by a number of committees including the following principal committees: Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee. All the non-executive directors are members of each of the principal committees of the Board.

The terms of reference of each of the principal committees are available on request and can be viewed on the Company's website www.burberryplc.com.

The committees, if they consider it necessary, can engage with third-party consultants and independent professional advisors and can call upon other resources of the Group to assist them in developing their respective roles. In addition to the relevant committee members and the Company Secretary, external advisors and, on occasion, other directors attend committee meetings but only at the invitation of the chairmen of the committees.

Audit committee

Terms of Reference - Audit Committee

The Audit Committee comprises five independent non-executive directors:

Philip Bowman (Chairman)
Ian Carter
Stephanie George
John Smith (appointed 2 February 2010)
David Tyler

The main roles and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set out in written terms of reference.

The Audit Committee is responsible for:

reviewing financial statements and formal announcements relating to the Group's performance
reviewing the Group's internal financial controls and risk management systems
monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the Group's internal audit function
assessing the independence, objectivity and effectiveness of the external auditors
developing and implementing policies on the engagement of the external auditors for the supply of non-audit services
making recommendations for the appointment, reappointment and removal of the external auditors and approving their remuneration and terms of engagement
reviewing arrangements by which employees may, in confidence, raise concerns about possible improprieties in matters of financial reporting and other matters

The Board is satisfied, in accordance with the provisions of the Code, that at least one member of the Audit Committee has recent and relevant financial experience, given the nature of the senior management positions held by Philip Bowman, David Tyler and John Smith (see biographical details on page 61).

The Audit Committee met three times during the year. The attendance record of Committee members is recorded in the table on page 65. At the invitation of the Chairman of the Audit Committee, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President-Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Audit and Risk Assurance, the Senior Vice President Group Finance, the Director of Tax and the external auditors regularly attend meetings. The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the effectiveness of the Group's internal control procedures and risk management systems. During the year, the Committee reviewed the Group's internal audit plan and approved the internal audit plan for the financial year to 31 March 2011. In addition, the Committee reviewed the adequacy of the 'whistle-blowing' arrangements in place to enable employees to raise, in confidence, any concerns they may have. The Committee is satisfied that such arrangements remain appropriate.

During the financial year, the Audit Committee reviewed the effectiveness of the external audit process and the qualification, expertise, resources and independence of the external auditors. The Committee also reviewed the proposed audit fee and terms of engagement for the financial year to 31 March 2010 and has recommended to the Board that it propose to shareholders that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP be re-appointed as the Group's external auditors.

The Committee recognises that the independence of the auditors is an essential part of the audit framework and the assurance that it provides. The Committee monitors the types of non-audit work that are undertaken by the external auditors to ensure that their objectivity and Independence is not compromised. Any proposed non-audit assignments require prior approval and the Committee receives a report at each meeting providing details of non-audit assignments carried out by the external auditors in addition to their normal work.

Details of the fees paid to the external auditors during the financial year can be found in note 5 in the financial statements.

Remuneration committee

Terms of Reference – Remuneration Committee

The report of the Remuneration Committee is set out on pages 70 to 79.

Nomination committee

Terms of Reference – Nomination Committee

The Nomination Committee comprises:

John Peace (Chairman)
Angela Ahrendts
Philip Bowman
Ian Carter
Stephanie George
John Smith (appointed 2 February 2010)
David Tyler

The Nomination Committee is responsible for reviewing the balance and composition of the Board and its committees and for identifying and recommending appointments or renewal of appointments to the Board. These regular reviews ensure that the Group and the Board are able to draw from a complementary balance of skills and experience and that there is in place an appropriate plan for orderly succession to the Board. The procedure for appointments is set out in its terms of reference.

During the year under review, the Nomination Committee considered and reviewed the structure of the Board and its committees, the Group’s succession planning arrangements and Board Performance Evaluation. These arrangements will be kept under review by the Committee.

The Nomination Committee met twice during the year under review. The table on page 65 gives details of directors’ attendance at these meetings.

An external consultancy was used in connection with the appointment of John Smith as a non-executive director.

The terms and conditions of appointment of non-executive directors are available for inspection at Horseferry House, Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AW and will be made available for 15 minutes before the Annual General Meeting and during the meeting itself.

Corporate Responsibility

Details of the Group's approach to Corporate Responsibility are given on pages 52 to 57.

Accountability and audit

The Board acknowledges that it should present a balanced and understandable assessment of the Group's position and prospects. In this context, reference should be made to the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities on page 80, which includes a statement in compliance with the Code regarding the Group's status as a going concern, and to the Report of the Auditors on page 81 which includes a statement by the auditors about their reporting responsibilities. The Board recognises that its responsibility to present a balanced and understandable assessment extends to interim and other price-sensitive public reports and reports to regulators as well as to information required to be presented by law.

Internal control

The Board acknowledges that it is responsible for the Group's system of internal control and the Audit Committee reviews its effectiveness. Such a system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. The Audit Committee has reviewed the effectiveness of the key procedures, which have been established to provide internal control. As part of the process that the Board has in place to review the effectiveness of the internal control system, there are procedures designed to capture and evaluate failings and weaknesses, and in the case of those categorised by the Board as 'significant', procedures exist to ensure that necessary action is taken to remedy the failings.

In accordance with the revised guidance for directors on internal control ('the Revised Turnbull Guidance'), the Board confirms that there is an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks faced by the Group. These include those relating to social, environmental and ethical matters. This process was in place throughout the year under review and up to the date of approval of the Annual Report and Accounts. The process is regularly reviewed by the Audit Committee which reports its findings for consideration by the Board, and is in accordance with the Revised Turnbull Guidance. The key procedures operating within the Group are as follows:

Risk assessment

The Group's business objectives are incorporated into the annual budgeting and planning cycle. Progress towards the achievement of such objectives is monitored by a variety of financial measures and non-financial performance indicators.

The Group Risk Committee of executive management meets formally at least three times a year to re-evaluate risk and to consider the work of the Internal Audit and Risk Assurance and other assurance teams. During the year, the Committee met on three occasions. The Director of Audit and Risk Assurance attends these meetings.

The Board acknowledges that it is responsible for considering operational, financial, compliance and other risks to the business and has delegated responsibility for reviewing the risk management procedures to the Audit Committee.

Control environment and control activities

The Group consists of a number of businesses, each with its own management structure which forms part of the overall management structure of the Group. The senior executives of these units report to the executive directors.

The Group has established procedures for the delegation of authorities for matters that are considered significant, either because of their value or the impact on the Group, to ensure that approval is considered at an appropriate level.

The Group's trading units operate within a framework of policies and procedures which are either already laid down or are being established in organisation or authority manuals. Policies and procedures cover key issues such as authorisation levels, compliance with legislation and physical security.

The Group has implemented various strategies to deal with the risk factors that have been identified. Such strategies include a framework of internal control and the use of third-party services to assist in monitoring specific issues. In addition, other approaches are taken, such as insurance.

Information and communication

The Group has a comprehensive system of budgetary control, focused on monthly performance reporting which is at an appropriately detailed level. A summary of results supported by commentary and performance measures is provided to the Board each month. The performance measures are subject to review to ensure that they provide relevant and reliable indications of business performance.

A summary of the key business risks and relevant control measures is submitted by the executive directors at each Audit Committee meeting. The Audit Committee meets with both external and internal auditors.

Monitoring

A range of procedures is used to monitor the effective application of internal control within the Group. These include management review, management confirmations of compliance with standards and procedures as well as internal audit and other specialist reviews. The Internal Audit department is responsible for reporting to the Audit Committee on the effectiveness of internal control systems.

Relations with shareholders

The Board recognises the importance of maintaining good communications with its shareholders and does this through the Annual Report, preliminary and interim announcements, interim management statements, the Annual General Meeting and through the additional processes described below.

The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer make presentations to institutional shareholders and analysts immediately following the release of the preliminary and interim results; these presentations are made available on the Company's website www.burberryplc.com.

The Company communicates with its institutional investors frequently and regularly through a combination of formal meetings, participation at investor conferences and informal briefings with management. The Board is kept abreast of the views of major shareholders by briefings from the Director of Investor Relations. During the year, the Board obtained an independent insight into the views of major shareholders through research undertaken by Makinson Cowell, an external capital markets advisory firm. The outcomes of that research were presented and reviewed by the Board. In addition, analysts' notes and brokers' briefings are also used to achieve a wide understanding of investors' views.

The non-executive directors, including the Senior Independent Director, are available to meet with major shareholders to discuss issues of importance to them, should a meeting be requested.

Annual General Meeting

In accordance with the provisions of the Code, the Notice of the 2009 Annual General Meeting was sent to shareholders at least 20 working days before the Meeting. A poll vote was taken on each of the resolutions put before shareholders. All directors attended the 2009 Annual General Meeting and the Chairman of the Board and the chairmen of each of the committees were available to answer shareholders' questions.

Voting at the 2010 Annual General Meeting will be by way of poll. The results of the voting at the Annual General Meeting will be announced and details of the votes will be available to view on the Company's website www.burberryplc.com as soon as possible after the meeting.

It is the intention that all directors, including the chairmen of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees, will attend the forthcoming Annual General Meeting and will be available to answer shareholders' questions.

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