1. Purpose
This policy sets out Murzo Group's approach to managing physical assets, property, collections, stock, prototypes, samples, tools, equipment, cultural objects, fashion items, food-related assets, farming assets, and other tangible property.
The purpose is to protect asset value, evidence ownership and custody, reduce loss and misuse, support insurance and accounting, and ensure assets are stored, moved, used, maintained, valued, and disposed of responsibly.
2. Scope
This policy applies to physical assets owned, leased, borrowed, loaned, stored, handled, developed, displayed, repaired, transported, insured, or controlled by Murzo Group.
It may apply to land, buildings, fixtures, vehicles, equipment, tools, devices, stock, artworks, antiques, cultural objects, design samples, garments, fabrics, food products, farming materials, chemicals, documents, archives, prototypes, packaging, and client or third-party property held by Murzo Group.
3. Asset Principles
Murzo Group will manage physical assets in a controlled, proportionate, and evidence-led manner.
- Important assets should have clear ownership, custody, location, condition, value, and status records
- High-value, rare, sensitive, regulated, dangerous, perishable, or culturally significant assets require enhanced controls
- Assets must not be used, moved, loaned, altered, disposed of, or transferred without suitable authorisation
- Client, supplier, partner, or third-party assets must be protected and clearly distinguished from Murzo Group assets
- Asset controls should support security, insurance, audit, tax, legal, health and safety, and operational requirements
4. Inventory & Identification
Murzo Group may maintain asset registers, collection records, stock systems, equipment logs, custody logs, or location records depending on asset risk.
Asset records may include description, photographs, serial numbers, dimensions, quantity, batch numbers, acquisition date, supplier, owner, custodian, location, value, condition, insurance status, restrictions, permits, and disposal status.
5. Condition, Valuation & Insurance
High-value or sensitive assets should be supported by condition reports, valuation evidence, insurance review, photographs, and movement history where appropriate.
Valuations should be obtained or refreshed where value may materially affect insurance, sale, loan, finance, tax, dispute, acquisition, disposal, or risk decisions.
6. Storage & Handling
Assets must be stored and handled in a way that reflects their nature and risk.
- Protect against theft, loss, fire, flood, humidity, pests, contamination, unauthorised access, and accidental damage
- Use appropriate packaging, shelving, containers, environmental controls, segregation, and labelling
- Control hazardous, chemical, biological, food, allergen, CITES, cultural, security-sensitive, or confidential materials
- Separate quarantined, returned, damaged, recalled, disputed, or awaiting-review assets
- Record movements and changes of custody for important assets
7. Movement, Loan & Transfer
Movement, loan, shipment, repair, exhibition, sale, disposal, transfer, or return of important assets must be authorised and documented.
Movement checks may include customs status, export controls, cultural object licensing, CITES permits, insurance, condition reports, courier instructions, packaging, chain of custody, security arrangements, and delivery confirmation.
8. Loss, Damage, Theft & Incident Response
Loss, theft, damage, suspected substitution, unauthorised movement, contamination, deterioration, or disputed ownership must be reported promptly.
Murzo Group may preserve evidence, restrict access, notify insurers, notify owners, notify authorities, suspend movement, review CCTV, investigate custody records, or take corrective action.
9. Disposal, Destruction & Deaccession
Assets must not be disposed of, destroyed, recycled, donated, sold, written off, or deaccessioned without appropriate authorisation.
Disposal decisions should consider ownership, legal restrictions, cultural restrictions, environmental impact, data security, product safety, food safety, hazardous materials, tax, insurance, and reputational impact.
10. Records, Review & Responsibilities
Murzo Group will keep proportionate records of acquisition, ownership, custody, condition, value, movement, maintenance, insurance, incident, loan, disposal, and audit activity.
Asset owners, managers, collection custodians, operations leads, finance contacts, logistics contacts, and authorised representatives are responsible for implementing this policy. It will be reviewed periodically and when asset categories, sites, legal requirements, or risk profile change.
