Gardening Richmond - Modern Slavery Statement

Gardening Richmond publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to affirm our absolute commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all forms across our operations and supply chain. This modern slavery and human trafficking statement describes our policies, actions and expectations. We maintain a clear zero-tolerance position and approach every procurement and labour arrangement with diligence and care.

Our zero-tolerance policy

We operate a zero-tolerance policy for any instance of forced labour, bonded labour, child exploitation or human trafficking within Gardening Richmond. Our anti-slavery policy is embedded in staff handbooks, supplier terms and contractor agreements, and we require all team members and partners to comply. This slavery statement reinforces that breaches will result in termination of contracts and appropriate action.

Gardening Richmond’s responsible sourcing statement sets out expectations for suppliers and partners. We require transparency about labour practices, working conditions and recruitment. To monitor compliance we maintain documented procedures for supplier selection, ongoing review and escalation where concerns arise. The document clarifies roles and responsibilities for senior management and procurement teams.

Supplier audits and due diligence

We conduct regular supplier audits and risk-based assessments across our supply chain. Supplier audits include site visits, documentation checks and interviews to verify legal employment, working hours, pay, health and safety and freedom of movement. Our supplier audit program is part of an integrated approach to responsible procurement and supports continuous improvement.

Key elements of our supplier audit and due diligence process include:

• Risk profiling suppliers by geography, sector and contract value.
• On-site inspections and third-party verification where necessary.
• Contractual obligations requiring compliance with our anti-slavery policy.
• Corrective action plans and follow-up audits for identified issues.

We use a mix of internal audits and independent assessments to reduce bias. Where audits identify non-compliance we require prompt remediation, and if suppliers fail to rectify serious breaches we will suspend or terminate relationships. Supplier audits are a cornerstone of our approach to preventing modern slavery in our procurement activities.

Gardening Richmond promotes responsible labour practices within our operations. We carry out enhanced recruitment checks, verify right-to-work documentation, and ensure wages and benefits meet legal and industry standards. Our code of conduct for staff and contractors reiterates our intolerance of exploitation and the expectation that all workers are treated with dignity.

Transparency and accessible reporting channels are essential. We provide multiple confidential reporting channels for staff, contractors and suppliers to raise concerns about forced labour and related issues. Reporting channels include anonymous hotlines, an internal whistleblowing process and escalation to senior compliance officers. Reports are investigated promptly, with protection against retaliation for those who report in good faith.

Gardening Richmond commits to an annual review of this statement, our policies and practices. Each year we evaluate the effectiveness of our anti-slavery measures, review audit outcomes, update risk assessments and set improvement targets. The annual review is led by senior management and presented to the board to ensure accountability and resourcing.

Training and awareness form a critical part of our prevention strategy. We deliver regular training to procurement teams, site managers and human resources staff on recognising indicators of modern slavery, handling disclosures and escalating concerns. Continuous learning ensures our people are equipped to act in accordance with the Gardening Richmond slavery statement.

We will continue to deepen collaboration with suppliers, peers and industry groups to share best practice and support improvements. Our approach to tackling modern slavery includes clear contractual clauses, remediation pathways and the expectation that suppliers establish equivalent or stronger policies. Strong governance underpins our anti-slavery efforts.

In summary, Gardening Richmond’s modern slavery statement reaffirms our commitment to zero tolerance, rigorous supplier audits, clear reporting channels and an annual review cycle to drive continual improvement. We will actively monitor progress, update procedures in response to emerging risks and ensure that our procurement and employment practices reflect our ethical obligations and community expectations.