Gardener Highgate Modern Slavery Statement
Gardener Highgate publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to confirm our commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. This slavery and human trafficking statement outlines our approach to assessing and managing risks, the steps we take to reduce the likelihood of exploitation, and the mechanisms we maintain to respond to concerns. We recognise that a robust anti-slavery policy is essential to protect workers, suppliers and the communities we serve.
We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards forced labour, child labour, human trafficking and related abuses. Our zero-tolerance stance applies across all business units and to third parties supplying goods and services to Gardener Highgate. All employees and suppliers are made aware that non-compliance may lead to immediate remedial action, including contract termination, legal action and reporting to relevant authorities where appropriate.
Our due diligence and monitoring programme for the supply chain includes regular supplier audits, risk-based assessments and contractual safeguards. We conduct supplier audits that combine remote assessments with on-site inspections where risk indicators are present. Audit processes focus on worker interviews, pay records, working hours and health and safety standards. Key controls include:
- Pre-engagement checks on new suppliers to assess labour practices;
- Periodic supplier audits — both scheduled and unannounced — to verify ongoing compliance;
- Corrective action plans with timelines and follow-up audits for any non-conformances.
Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing
We maintain clear reporting channels for workers, contractors and third parties to raise concerns about exploitation or breaches of our anti-slavery statement. These channels include secure internal reporting routes and third-party hotlines. Reports are treated with confidentiality and investigated promptly by our compliance team. We encourage employees and suppliers to come forward without fear of retaliation; whistleblowing protections are actively enforced to safeguard reporters.
Training and awareness are central to our prevention strategy. All staff in procurement, HR and management receive mandatory training on recognising signs of modern slavery and following reporting procedures. We also provide targeted training for suppliers and subcontractors to build capacity and align expectations with Gardener Highgate's anti-slavery policy. Risk assessments are updated regularly to reflect changing geographic and sectoral risks.
We embed anti-slavery obligations into our contractual terms and purchasing processes. Supplier agreements include explicit clauses requiring compliance with our slavery and human trafficking statement and granting us rights to audit. Remediation pathways are established to support workers where issues are identified, while preserving the right to remove suppliers who fail to meet minimum standards. Our procurement teams apply a risk-based approach to prioritise audits in higher-risk categories.
Governance and accountability for this modern slavery and human trafficking statement rest with senior management and the board. Responsibility for operational delivery sits with our Head of Compliance and procurement leads who report on progress and incidents to the executive team. We track performance using key indicators such as number of supplier audits completed, corrective actions closed, and training completion rates.
This statement is subject to an annual review to ensure it remains effective and aligned with evolving best practice. During each review we assess the outcomes of audits, feedback from stakeholders, changes in our supply chains, and legal developments. Any material changes are incorporated into policy updates, and we adjust our programme of supplier audits and training accordingly. Gardener Highgate remains committed to continuous improvement and to upholding a robust, enforceable anti-slavery statement across all operations.