Gardeners Spitalfields Modern Slavery Statement

Gardeners Spitalfields affirms its commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking across all areas of our operations. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps we take to uphold human rights, enforce a zero-tolerance policy on forced labour, and ensure that our teams and partners act ethically and transparently.

We publish this modern slavery statement to provide clarity on our approach to addressing exploitation in supply chains. Our policy covers recruitment, working conditions, and subcontracting arrangements. The policy applies to all employees, contractors and suppliers who provide goods and services to Gardeners Spitalfields.

Scope and principles: This slavery and human trafficking statement includes our principal commitments: prevention, detection and remediation. We recognise that a robust anti-slavery approach requires ongoing vigilance, and we are committed to continuous improvement through training, oversight and collaborative engagement with suppliers and stakeholders.

We operate a zero-tolerance policy for any form of modern slavery, including forced labour, debt bondage, and human trafficking. Management is responsible for ensuring compliance, and breaches of the policy will lead to disciplinary action or termination of supplier contracts. Our anti-slavery stance is clear: exploitation will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

To support this, we maintain a structured programme of supplier due diligence. New suppliers undergo risk-based assessments before engagement, and existing partners are evaluated periodically. These checks focus on workforce rights, wage practices, and recruitment methods to identify potential modern slavery risks early.

Supplier audits and monitoring

We conduct routine supplier audits and on-site inspections, prioritising higher-risk categories. Audit methods include document reviews, worker interviews and third-party verifications. Findings result in corrective action plans, and persistent non-compliance may lead to contract suspension or termination. We also promote capacity building in our supply chain, offering guidance on good labour practices and ethical recruitment.

Our

training and awareness

initiatives are designed to equip staff with the skills to spot signs of modern slavery. All procurement and HR personnel receive regular training on the Modern Slavery Policy, how to conduct basic risk checks, and how to escalate concerns. We encourage a culture of responsibility where every colleague recognises their role in preventing exploitation.

Reporting channels are a critical part of our framework. We operate multiple secure and confidential routes for concerns to be raised, including an internal whistleblowing system and designated safeguarding leads. Reports are taken seriously and investigated promptly; safeguards are in place to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.

To ensure transparency and accountability, we document all investigations, remediation steps and outcomes. When instances of exploitation are identified, Gardeners Spitalfields commits to supporting victims and working with relevant authorities and NGOs to ensure appropriate remediation and prevention of recurrence.

Procurement standards and contractual terms are applied to all supplier agreements. Contracts include clauses requiring compliance with anti-slavery laws and the right to audit. Suppliers must maintain accurate records of employment practices and demonstrate compliance upon request. These contractual obligations are an essential component of our supplier management strategy.

We publish a summary of our approach and progress in an annual review. This review examines the effectiveness of our anti-slavery measures, audit outcomes, training completion rates and any incidents handled during the year. The annual Modern Slavery review supports continuous improvement and informs adjustments to policy, resources and priorities.

Governance and accountability: Ultimate responsibility for this modern slavery and human trafficking statement rests with senior leadership. Oversight is provided by our compliance committee, which reviews performance against objectives, approves the annual statement, and allocates resources to strengthen prevention and response measures. We are committed to fostering ethical supply chains and protecting the dignity of all workers connected to Gardeners Spitalfields.

We will continue to refine our anti-slavery programme through stakeholder engagement, supplier collaboration and enhanced risk analytics. Our commitment to an anti-slavery stance is enduring: we seek to ensure that our procurement and operational practices reflect the highest standards of human rights and labour protection.

Gardeners Spitalfields publishes this statement to be open about our responsibilities, actions and ongoing goals. The organisation aims to embed anti-slavery principles into procurement, operations and corporate culture across all activities.

Annual review: This modern slavery policy will be reviewed at least annually to measure effectiveness, incorporate lessons learned and update procedures. The next scheduled review will include a refreshed supplier risk mapping exercise, further training modules and strengthened reporting protocols to ensure that our zero-tolerance promise results in real, measurable progress.