Discuss the role played by external audits in helping companies like Next Plc to achieve their strategic objectives.

Part A (50%)

Using the 2021 annual report, analyse NEXT Plc’s overall corporate governance principles and discuss whether or not they are compliant with the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018. Your discussions should be along the lines of the five parts to UK Corporate Governance Code.

Part B (30%)

Our purpose is to offer beautifully designed, excellent quality clothing and homeware which are responsibly sourced and accessibly priced, and in doing so build shareholder value through long term, sustainable growth in Earnings Per Share (EPS)” (Next Plc, 2021).

Discuss the role played by external audits in helping companies like Next Plc to achieve their strategic objectives. Support your argument with some examples from the 2021 annual report.

Introduction, Conclusion, Structure and Harvard Referencing (20%)

The report should be well structured (maximum 1,500 words +/- 10%).

It should contain:

Introduction (must cover parts A and B)

Body of the report broken down into parts A and B

Conclusion(must reflect parts A and B

Reference list

No executive summary is required*

See section 2.2 on the module document attached

Will send over any additional info in coming days