Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon PLC Regulatory News (BGS)

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Financial risk: The Company's assets consist mainly of listed securities (96.3% of the investment portfolio) and its principal financial risks are therefore market related and include market risk (comprising currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk), liquidity risk and credit risk. An explanation of those risks and how they are managed is contained in note 19 to the Financial Statements on pages 109 to 115 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

The Board has, in particular, considered the impact of heightened market volatility during recent months due to macroeconomic factors such as higher inflation, interest rates and geopolitical concerns. To mitigate this risk the Board considers at each meeting various portfolio metrics including individual stock performance and weightings, the top and bottom contributors to performance and relative sector weightings against the comparative index. The portfolio manager provides rationale for stock selection decisions. A comprehensive strategy meeting is held annually to facilitate challenge of the Company's strategy. The Board has considered the potential impact on the yen/sterling exchange rate of various geopolitical events. The value of the Company's investment portfolio would be affected by any impact, positively or negatively, on sterling but would be partially offset by the effect of exchange movements on the Company's yen denominated borrowings.

Market risk is increasing due to increased volatility as a result of heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical concerns.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Private company (unlisted) investment risk: The Company's liquidity risk could be increased by its investment in private company securities. These assets may be more difficult to buy or sell, so changes in their prices may be greater than for quoted investments.

To mitigate this risk, the Board considers the private company securities in the context of the overall investment strategy and provides guidance to the Managers on the maximum exposure to private company securities. The investment policy limits the amount which may be invested in private company securities to 10% of the total assets of the Company in aggregate, measured at the time of investment.

There has been no change to the number of private company investments during the period.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Investment strategy risk: Pursuit of an investment strategy to fulfil the Company's objective which the market perceives to be unattractive or inappropriate, or the ineffective implementation of an attractive or appropriate strategy, may lead to reduced returns for shareholders and, as a result, a decreased demand for the Company's shares. This may lead to the Company's shares trading at a widening discount to their net asset value.

To mitigate this risk, the Board regularly reviews and monitors the Company's objective and investment policy and strategy, the investment portfolio and its performance, the level of discount/premium to net asset value at which the shares trade and movements in the share register and raises any matters of concern with the Managers.

This risk is increasing as the market's appetite for growth stocks, typically held by the Company, has decreased during the recent period of heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical concern.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Environmental, social and governance risk: Perceived problems on environmental, social and governance ('ESG') matters in an investee company could lead to that company's shares being less attractive to investors, adversely affecting its share price, in addition to potential valuation issues arising from any direct impact of the failure to address the ESG weakness on the operations or management of the investee company (for example in the event of an industrial accident or spillage). Repeated failure by the Managers to identify ESG weaknesses in investee companies could lead to the Company's own shares being less attractive to investors, adversely affecting its own share price.

This is mitigated by the Managers' strong ESG stewardship and engagement policies which are available to view on the Managers' website, bailliegifford.com, and which have been reviewed and endorsed by the Company, and which have been fully integrated into the investment process as well as the extensive up-front and ongoing due diligence which the Manager undertakes on each investee company. Due diligence includes assessment of the risks inherent in climate change (see page 77 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements).

The Manager continues to employ strong ESG stewardship and engagement policies.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Discount risk: The discount/premium at which the Company's shares trade relative to its net asset value can change. The risk of a widening discount is that it may undermine investor confidence in the Company and shareholders selling their shares will get less than the net asset value of those shares.

To manage this risk, the Board monitors the level of discount/premium at which the shares trade and the Company has authority to buy back its existing shares, when deemed by the Board to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

The Company's discount widened during the year. Over the year to 31 January 2024 and the Company bought back 4,395,000 shares to be held in treasury. The Board continue to closely monitor the discount and the impact of the current buyback programme being deployed.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Regulatory risk: Failure to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements such as the tax rules for investment trust companies, the FCA Listing Rules and the Companies Act could lead to suspension of the Company's Stock Exchange listing, financial penalties, a qualified audit report or the Company being subject to tax on capital gains.

To mitigate this risk, Baillie Gifford's Business Risk, Internal Audit and Compliance departments provide regular reports to the Audit Committee on Baillie Gifford's monitoring programmes. Major regulatory change could impose disproportionate compliance burdens on the Company. In such circumstances representation is made to ensure that the special circumstances of investment trusts are recognised. Shareholder documents and announcements, including the Company's published Interim and Annual Report and Financial Statements, are subject to stringent review processes and procedures are in place to ensure adherence to the Transparency Directive and the Market Abuse Directive with reference to inside information.

All control procedures are working effectively. There have been no material regulatory changes that have impacted the Company during the year.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Custody and depositary risk: Safe custody of the Company's assets may be compromised through control failures by the Depositary, including breaches of cyber security.

To mitigate this risk, the Audit Committee receives six-monthly reports from the Depositary confirming safe custody of the Company's assets held by the Custodian. Cash and portfolio holdings are independently reconciled to the Custodian's records by the Managers who also agree uncertificated private portfolio holdings to confirmations from investee companies. The Custodian's audited internal controls reports are reviewed by Baillie Gifford's Business Risk department and a summary of the key points is reported to the Audit Committee and any concerns investigated.

All control procedures are working effectively.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Small company risk: The Company has investments in smaller companies which are generally considered higher risk as changes in their share prices may be greater and the shares may be harder to sell. Smaller companies may do less well in periods of unfavourable economic conditions.

To mitigate this risk, the Board reviews the investment portfolio at each meeting and discusses the investment case and portfolio weightings with the Managers. A spread of risk is achieved by holding a minimum of 40 companies and the relative industry weightings against the comparative index are considered at each Board meeting.

No change in small company risk.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Operational risk: Failure of Baillie Gifford's systems or those of other third party service providers could lead to an inability to provide accurate reporting and monitoring or a misappropriation of assets.

To mitigate this risk, Baillie Gifford has a comprehensive business continuity plan which facilitates continued operation of the business in the event of a service disruption. The Audit Committee reviews Baillie Gifford's Report on Internal Controls and reports by other key third party providers are reviewed by Baillie Gifford on behalf of the Board and a summary of the key points is reported to the Audit Committee and any concerns investigated. The other key third party service providers have not experienced significant operational difficulties affecting their respective services to the Company.

All control procedures are working effectively.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Cyber security risk: A cyber attack on Baillie Gifford's network or that of a third party service provider could impact the confidentiality, integrity or availability of data and systems.

To mitigate this risk, the Audit Committee reviews Reports on Internal Controls published by Baillie Gifford and other third party service providers. Baillie Gifford's Business Risk Department report to the Audit Committee on the effectiveness of information security controls in place at Baillie Gifford and its business continuity framework. Cyber security due diligence is performed by Baillie Gifford on third party service providers which includes a review of crisis management and business continuity frameworks.

All control procedures are working effectively.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Leverage risk: The Company may borrow money for investment purposes. If the investments fall in value, any borrowings will magnify the impact of this loss. If borrowing facilities are not renewed, the Company may have to sell investments to repay borrowings. The Company can also make use of derivative contracts.

To mitigate this risk, all borrowings require the prior approval of the Board and leverage levels are discussed by the Board and Managers at every meeting. Covenant levels are monitored regularly. The majority of the Company's investments are in quoted securities that are readily realisable. Further information

on leverage can be found on page 124 and the Glossary of terms and Alternative Performance Measures on pages 129 to 132 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

The ¥5,000 million and ¥2,100 million fixed

rate facilities mature on 8 November 2024 and

18 December 2024. The Company's revolving credit facilities can be repaid with no penalties, should the decision be taken to reduce gearing. Gearing has increased during

the year due to the draw down of the ¥2,000 million revolving credit facility on 3 March 2023.

What is the risk?

How is it managed?

Current assessment of risk

Political and associated economic risk: The Board is of the view that political change in areas in which the Company invests or may invest may have financial consequences for the Company.

Political developments are closely monitored and considered by the Board. The Board has particular regard to macroeconomic and geopolitical tensions, and monitors portfolio diversification by revenue stream where appropriate to mitigate against the negative impact of military action or trade barriers.

This risk is increasing as governments and

consumers around the world continue to assess the impact of geopolitical and macroeconomic tensions.

Emerging risks: As explained on pages 75 and 76 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements, the Board has regular discussions on principal risks and uncertainties, including any risks which are not an immediate threat but could arise in the longer term. The Board considers that the key emerging risks arise from the interconnectedness of global economies and the related exposure of the investment portfolio to external and emerging threats such as the societal and financial implications of escalating geopolitical tensions, cyber security risks including developing AI and quantum computing capabilities, and new coronavirus variants or similar public health threats. This is mitigated by the Managers' close links to the investee companies and their ability to ask questions on contingency plans. The Managers believe the impact of such events may be to slow growth rather than to invalidate the investment rationale over the long term.