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Scottish Enterprise has established an organisational model with clear lines of responsibility and accountability through our organisational structure, linked to budgets and our Delegation of Internal Authority framework.

The delivery of our aims and objectives is underpinned by an operational framework comprising key corporate business processes, policies and a comprehensive range of control mechanisms which all aim to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the effective development and delivery of strategies and plans, compliance with approved policies as well as the accuracy, timeliness and integrity of financial statements and other published information, in accordance with relevant standards and best practice.

These processes and controls form an integral part of our overall system of internal control. The system of internal control is based on an ongoing process designed to identify the principal risks to the achievement of Scottish Enterprise's policies, aims and objectives, to assess the likelihood and impact of those risks and to manage them efficiently, effectively and economically. These span Scottish Enterprise's entire range of activities and include the following:

Scottish Enterprise has a formal approach considering best value each year through a structured self-evaluation process, supporting continuous improvement across the organisation.

To demonstrate that Scottish Enterprise is meeting its statutory best value duties and is exhibiting the characteristics of a best value organisation, we compare our arrangements against the strategic and operational best value characteristics outlined in the Accountable Officer guidance on best value. This assessment identifies any gaps or areas for development.

Robust evidence is gathered to support the evaluation of each theme, including evidence from assurance providers where available. Findings from the self-evaluation are reported to the Audit and Risk Committee and the Board.

During 2025-26, two thematic deep dives were undertaken on the best value themes of Sustainability and Use of Resources, with a range of actions for further development and improvement now being progressed. These recent best value reviews build on prior work in 2024-25 on the three best value themes of Vision and Leadership, Governance and Accountability and Fairness and Equality.