Gardener Herne Hill Modern Slavery Statement

Gardener Herne Hill publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to declare our commitment to preventing exploitation in all areas of our operations. This anti-slavery policy reflects our zero-tolerance approach to forced labour, human trafficking and any form of exploitation across our gardening and grounds services. We recognise our responsibility to be vigilant and to act where risks are identified.

We are committed to transparency in how we manage labour and supply chains. Gardener Herne Hill has clear expectations for employees, contractors and suppliers, and we require compliance with our standards as a condition of engagement. This slavery and human trafficking statement explains the steps we take to identify, assess and mitigate risks of modern slavery in the business.

Our policy applies across direct employment, subcontracted services and procurement activities. We expect suppliers to adhere to labour standards that prohibit forced labour and debt bondage. We will not tolerate any form of modern slavery and we take allegations seriously, investigating promptly and taking remedial action when necessary.

Prevention and Due Diligence Procedures

To reduce the risk of exploitation, we conduct due diligence at the start of contractual relationships and periodically thereafter. Our checks include vetting right to work documentation, verifying identity, and reviewing working conditions in supplier operations. We use a risk-based approach to focus resources where the potential for harm is greater.

We maintain a code of conduct for suppliers and a supplier onboarding process that emphasises the expectations set out in this anti-slavery statement. Compliance is monitored through contractual clauses that require adherence to labour standards, and through regular communication and training for procurement staff to spot indicators of forced labour.

Key measures include:

• Zero-tolerance policy: immediate action on any credible allegation of modern slavery or human trafficking;
• Supplier audits: scheduled and random audits focusing on labour practices, working hours, and recruitment channels;
• Reporting channels: confidential routes for workers and third parties to raise concerns without fear of reprisal;
• Annual review: a documented process to evaluate effectiveness and update controls based on findings.

Reporting and Remediation

We provide clear reporting channels to ensure that issues can be raised safely and investigated thoroughly. Workers, subcontractors and members of the public can report concerns through established whistleblowing routes. All reports are treated confidentially and assessed by our compliance team with appropriate follow-up actions.

When an incident is verified, we will take proportionate steps which may include terminating contracts, supporting affected individuals, and working with authorities and specialist agencies to provide remedies. Our approach balances legal obligations, ethical responsibilities and the welfare of those impacted. We also use corrective action plans with suppliers to address deficiencies where appropriate.

Monitoring and continual improvement form part of our strategy. Each year we conduct an annual review of policies, supplier performance and the outcomes of audits and reports. The findings inform updates to our procedures, training content and procurement practices. This governance cycle ensures the Gardener Herne Hill slavery statement remains relevant and effective in managing modern slavery risk across operations.