Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2008

purpose during the year. Non-executive Directors are offered the
opportunity to attend meetings with major shareholders.
The Group participates in a share Deal service offered by Capita
Registrars whereby small existing shareholders have the opportunity,
through an online and telephone share dealing service, to buy or sell
shares in many leading uK Companies. An online and telephone facility
is available allowing instant trading at prices provided at the time you
give your instruction. There is no need to pre-register. This is a quick and
easy share dealing service and is available to either sell or buy Evolution
Group plc shares. This benefits both the Group and shareholders in
extending the market for the Group’s shares and facilitating dealing for
private shareholders.
To deal online or by telephone you will need your surname, investor Code
reference number (which may be found on a recent share certificate,
statement or tax voucher), full postcode and your date of birth.
For further information on this service, or to buy and sell shares please
contact:
• www.capitadeal.com (online dealing)
• 0871 664 0454 (telephone dealing – calls cost 10p per minute plus
network extras)
Full terms, conditions and risks apply and are available on request or by
visiting www.capitadeal.com. This is not a recommendation to buy or sell
shares. The price of shares can go down as well as up, and you are not
guaranteed to get back the amount that you originally invested.
shareholders who may wish to donate their shares to charity may do so
free of charge through share Gift. Further details are available at www.
sharegift.org.uk or by telephoning 020 7930 3737.
The Group's website at www.evgplc.com contains information on the
Group, its Board and Committees, its operating subsidiaries and the
products and services that it offers as well as share price performance
and recent announcements.
corporaTe governance CONTiNuED
30 THE EvOluTiON GROup plC ANNuAl REpORT & ACCOuNTs 2008
report from the chairman of the audit committee
for the year ended 31 december 2008
The composition and Terms of Reference of the Audit Committee are
detailed on page 27.
The principal activities of the Audit Committee in the year to 31
December 2008 are summarised below:
financial statements
The Audit Committee reviewed the 2008 Annual Report, the interim
results and reports from the external auditors, pricewaterhouseCoopers
llp, on the outcome of their audits during 2008.
external audit
The Committee liaised with the external auditors during 2008 to review
the scope and findings of the external audit at the interim and final stages.
The Committee recommended to the Board for shareholder approval the
re-appointment, remuneration and terms of engagement of the auditors
during 2008.
Through their review of the balance of audit and non-audit work
performed and fees paid to pricewaterhouseCoopers llp, the
Committee concluded that auditors’ independence has been maintained
throughout 2008 and the audit process was effective.
Meetings were held between the auditors and the Committee after each
meeting at which the auditors were present, without the presence of
Executive Directors, to ensure there were no restrictions on the scope of
their audit and that there were no unresolved issues of concern.
internal audit
in March 2008 the Committee asked the Board to consider the
introduction of an internal audit function. in May 2008, Ernst & Young
were appointed as the Group’s internal auditors. The internal Audit plan
was considered and approved in May 2008 for the year ahead and
again in March 2009. The internal audit reports were reviewed and
discussed with the internal auditors and management.
internal controls
The Committee reviewed and evaluated the process by which the Group
implemented its system of internal controls and risk management.
audit committee effectiveness
The members reviewed the Committee’s effectiveness and concluded
the Committee to be working effectively.
nick irens
Chairman of the Audit Committee
8 April 2009
REPORT FROm THE CHAIRmAN
OF THE AUdIT COmmITTEE