Gardener Woolwich Modern Slavery Statement

Gardener Woolwich publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to set out our commitment to preventing any form of modern slavery, forced labour or human trafficking within our business and supply chains. This anti-slavery statement clarifies the principles we follow, the actions we take, and the expectations we place on our partners. We recognise that a clear, proactive position is essential: we have a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of exploitation.

Our modern slavery policy applies across every division of Gardener Woolwich and to all suppliers, contractors and agents engaged on our behalf. This slavery and human trafficking statement explains governance arrangements, roles and responsibilities, and how we enforce compliance. The policy is endorsed by senior leadership and is an integral part of our procurement and HR processes.

Zero-Tolerance Policy

We operate a zero-tolerance policy where any verified instance of forced labour, child exploitation, debt bondage or related abuses will trigger immediate and appropriate action. This includes corrective action plans, suspension of contracts and, where necessary, termination of relationships with non-compliant suppliers. We will also cooperate with law enforcement and authorities when incidents are identified.

Supplier Audits and Due Diligence

Gardener Woolwich requires that all suppliers undergo a robust due diligence process before engagement and at regular intervals thereafter. Our supplier audits form a central part of our modern slavery compliance programme and are designed to detect, deter and remediate risks.

• Risk assessment: We assess suppliers for geographical, sectoral and operational risk indicators as part of our procurement checks.
• On-site audits: We conduct scheduled and unannounced audits to verify labour practices, working conditions and documentation.
• Corrective action: Where issues are identified we require time-bound remediation plans, monitored by our compliance team.
• Escalation: Persistent non-compliance results in contract termination and restrictions on future engagement.

Training and Capacity Building

We deliver targeted training for procurement staff, site managers and relevant suppliers to ensure clear understanding of the anti-modern slavery policy and practical steps for compliance. Training emphasises recognising signs of exploitation, record-keeping and responsible recruitment practices.

We maintain clear reporting channels for concerns relating to modern slavery. Employees, temporary staff and supply chain workers are encouraged to raise issues through confidential internal reporting mechanisms and designated whistleblowing routes. Our reporting framework ensures allegations are handled promptly, with anonymity protected where requested and investigations carried out in line with legal and procedural standards.

To support transparency we document all findings, corrective actions and outcomes. Records are reviewed by governance bodies at Gardener Woolwich and used to update risk profiles, contract terms and procurement criteria. Our purchasing teams are trained to include anti-slavery clauses in contracts and to verify that sub-contractors adhere to the same standards.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

We commit to an annual review of this modern slavery statement and our anti-slavery measures. Each year the review evaluates the effectiveness of due diligence, audit findings, training uptake and reported incidents. Results inform an action plan that strengthens controls, enhances supplier engagement and updates policy language to reflect evolving best practice.

Governance and Accountability

Responsibility for implementing this anti-slavery statement rests with Gardener Woolwich's senior leadership and a designated compliance officer. Performance metrics related to modern slavery risk management are included in regular management reporting and considered in strategic procurement decisions.

We believe that preventing modern slavery requires collaboration across industries. Gardener Woolwich will continue to work with peers, sector partners and external auditors to refine our processes and extend responsible purchasing practices. Our anti-slavery commitment is ongoing: we will keep strengthening supplier audits, enhancing reporting channels and embedding remediation measures.

Conclusion: This slavery and human trafficking statement is part of Gardener Woolwich's broader duty to operate ethically and protect human rights. We will review this statement annually, publish outcomes of our assessments internally, and ensure that our zero-tolerance approach remains a defining feature of how we conduct business.