GIA represents the third line of defence and provides independent assurance of the effectiveness of management’s control of business activities (the first line) and of the control processes maintained by the Risk Framework Owners and Policy Owners (the second line). GIA works with the Group’s other control functions, such as Finance, Risk and Compliance, but does not place unqualified reliance on their work. GIA is an independent function whose primary role is to help the Board and Executive Management to protect the assets, reputation and sustainability of the Group. As defined in the Audit Charter, all staff in GIA must exhibit the highest level of professional objectivity in gathering, evaluating and communicating information about the activity or process being examined. They must make a balanced assessment of all the relevant circumstances and not be unduly influenced by their own interests or by others in forming judgments. GIA will adhere to the Defini...