Governance

Governance

The Directors recognise the importance of sound corporate governance, particularly the requirements of the Association of Investment Companies Code of Corporate Governance ("AIC Code").

The Company became a member of the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC") effective 27 February 2013. The Directors have considered the principles and recommendations of the AIC Code by reference to the AIC Corporate Governance Guide for Investment Companies ("AIC Guide").

The Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) published the GFSC Finance Sector Code of Corporate Governance ("Guernsey Code") in 2011. The introduction to the Guernsey Code states that "Companies which report against the UK Corporate Governance Code or the Association of Investment Companies Code of Corporate Governance are also deemed to meet this Code". Therefore, AIC Members which are Guernsey-domiciled and which report against the AIC Code are not required to report separately against the Guernsey Code.

The AIC Code, as explained by the AIC Guide, provides a 'comply or explain' code of corporate governance and addresses all the principles set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code ("UK Code") as well as setting out additional principles and recommendations on issues that are of specific relevance to specialist debt companies such as the Company. The Board considers that reporting against the principles and recommendations of the AIC Code, and by reference to the AIC Guide (which incorporates the UK Code), provides better information to shareholders.

The AIC Code and the AIC Guide are available on the AIC's website, www.theaic.co.uk. The UK Code is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website, www.frc.org.uk.

The Company has no executive officers; there is no Chief Executive position and no Senior Independent Director. As an investment company the Company has no employees, all directors are non-executive and independent of the Investment Manager and therefore the Directors consider the Company has no requirement for a Chief Executive or Senior Independent Director and the Board is satisfied that any relevant issues can be properly considered by the Board. The absence of an internal audit function is discussed in the Audit and Operational Risk Committee report of the annual report.

The Board monitors developments in corporate governance to ensure the Board remains aligned with best practice especially with respect to the increased focus on diversity. The Board acknowledges the importance of diversity, including gender, for the effective functioning of the Board and commits to supporting diversity in the boardroom. It is the Board's on-going aspiration to have a well-diversified representation. The Board also values diversity of business skills and experience because Directors with diverse skills sets, capabilities and experience gained from different geographical backgrounds enhance the Board by bringing a wide range of perspectives to the Company. The Board is satisfied with the current composition and functioning of its Members.