Gardeners Gospel Oak Modern Slavery Statement

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps Gardeners Gospel Oak has taken, and continues to take, to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. We recognise that modern slavery is a severe violation of fundamental human rights and we are committed to continually improving our practices to combat it.

Our Commitment and Zero-Tolerance Policy

Gardeners Gospel Oak operates a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and child labour. This applies to every aspect of our business, from direct employment and subcontracted services to the sourcing of goods, materials, and equipment. We are committed to conducting all our activities ethically, transparently, and in full compliance with applicable legislation relating to modern slavery and human rights.

All employees, contractors, and suppliers are expected to act with integrity and uphold our standards. Any breach of this policy is treated as a serious matter that may result in termination of contracts or working relationships, as well as reporting to appropriate authorities where required.

Our Operations and Supply Chain

Gardeners Gospel Oak provides gardening and related services, and our supply chain includes suppliers of plants, soils, aggregates, tools, machinery, uniforms, and professional services. While our operations are relatively low risk compared with certain global industries, we recognise that risks can still exist, particularly where supply chains are extended or involve outsourced or seasonal labour.

We aim to work only with suppliers who share our commitment to ethical labour practices. We expect them to maintain appropriate policies, due diligence processes, and controls to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking do not occur within their own operations or supply chains.

Supplier Standards and Audits

All new key suppliers are assessed against our ethical standards before we commence a trading relationship. This assessment may include requests for information about their labour practices, policies, and relevant certifications. Where appropriate, suppliers are asked to confirm that they comply with modern slavery legislation and that they require the same of their own suppliers.

We conduct periodic reviews and audits of higher-risk or strategic suppliers. These reviews may involve site visits where feasible, documentation checks, and discussions with management about working conditions, recruitment practices, and grievance procedures. If we identify areas of concern, we work with the supplier on corrective action plans with agreed timeframes. Failure to demonstrate adequate improvement may result in suspension or termination of the relationship.

Reporting Concerns and Whistleblowing Channels

Gardeners Gospel Oak encourages a culture of openness and accountability. Employees, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to report any concerns they may have about modern slavery or unethical labour practices connected with our business or supply chain.

Concerns can be raised directly with line managers or senior management, or through internal reporting routes made known to staff and key suppliers. Reports can be made in confidence, and we will not tolerate any form of victimisation or retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith. All reports are taken seriously, investigated promptly, and addressed with appropriate action, which may include notifying authorities where there is a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

Training and Awareness

We provide appropriate training and guidance to relevant employees, especially those involved in procurement, supplier management, and site supervision. Training covers the indicators of modern slavery, how to respond to suspected cases, and the importance of adhering to our zero-tolerance policy.

We also raise awareness among our teams about our commitment to ethical working practices and ensure that our expectations are clearly communicated to contractors and suppliers who work on our sites.

Monitoring, Governance and Annual Review

Responsibility for overseeing our approach to modern slavery rests with Gardeners Gospel Oak senior management, who ensure that this statement and the associated policies are implemented, communicated, and periodically reviewed. We monitor the effectiveness of our measures through supplier assessments, feedback from staff, incident reporting, and the outcomes of any investigations.

This statement will be reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in our operations, legislation, or best practice. As part of each annual review, we will consider whether additional due diligence, training, or supplier engagement is required to strengthen our controls. Gardeners Gospel Oak remains committed to continuous improvement in preventing modern slavery wherever we operate or source services and materials.