POLICY STATEMENT 

Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a person's liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implement and enforce effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or our supply chain. 

We are also committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chain. We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners. As part of our contracting processes, we include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude and we expect that our suppliers will hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.  

This policy applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners. 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POLICY  

The Procurement Manager has primary and day-to-day responsibility for implementing this policy, dealing with any queries about it and auditing internal control systems and procedures to ensure they are effective in countering modern slavery. 

The Management has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it. Management at all levels are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them understand and comply with this policy and are given any required training.  

COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICY  

You must ensure that you read, understand and comply with this policy.  

The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chain is the responsibility of all those working for us or under our control. They are required to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this policy.  

If it is believed or suspected that a conflict with this policy has occurred or may occur in the future, it must be report to us as a matter of urgency in accordance with our Whistleblowing Policy. 

We aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith their suspicion that modern slavery of whatever form is or may be taking place in any part of our own business or in any part of our supply chain.  

COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESS OF POLICY  

Training on this policy, and on the risk our business faces from modern slavery in its supply chain is given where needed.  

Our zero tolerance approach to modern slavery is communicated to all suppliers, contractors and business partners at the outset of our business relationship with them and reinforced as appropriate thereafter.  

BREACHES OF THIS POLICY  

We may terminate our relationship with any individuals and organisations working on our behalf if they breach this policy.