Gardening Acton Modern Slavery Statement

Gardening Acton is committed to preventing modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking in all areas of our operations. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out our policy and the steps we take to ensure that our services, supply chains and procurement practices are free from exploitation. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of modern slavery and expect the same standard from our partners and suppliers.

Our anti-slavery commitment applies to all employees, contractors and entities controlled by the organisation. The scope of this anti-slavery statement covers direct staff and indirect labour across our supply chain including seasonal workers, subcontractors and suppliers of plants, materials and equipment. We require compliance with our code of conduct and Modern Slavery Policy and communicate expectations through contracts, purchase orders and supplier onboarding.

To embed best practice in our slavery and human trafficking statement, Gardening Acton operates a proportionate, risk-based approach to due diligence and continuous improvement. Key elements include:

• Risk assessment of suppliers and sourcing regions;
• Supplier audits and on-site inspections where required;
• Training for staff with procurement and operational responsibilities.

Zero-Tolerance Policy and Expectations

We uphold a strict zero-tolerance approach: any evidence of forced labour, debt bondage, human trafficking or child labour will trigger immediate remedial action. This anti-slavery statement aligns with relevant legislation and internationally recognised standards. We will terminate relationships with suppliers who fail to remedy serious non-compliances and will consider legal action where appropriate.

Our procurement teams incorporate modern slavery risk screening at key stages: prior to contract award, during contract execution and when supply chain changes occur. We require suppliers to complete self-assessment questionnaires and to provide documentation demonstrating labour practices, contractual arrangements and payroll transparency. Where risk indicators arise, we escalate to on-site audits or third-party verification.

Supplier audits are integral to our approach. Audits are selected based on risk, spend and geographic exposure and include document review, worker interviews and management interviews. We use corrective action plans to address findings and monitor implementation. Typical audit follow-up measures include:

• Corrective action timelines and verification;
• Enhanced monitoring and repeat audits;
• Capacity building and supplier development support.

Reporting Channels and Governance

Gardening Acton provides multiple reporting channels for concerns about exploitation or unethical labour practices. Employees and third parties can raise concerns through confidential internal reporting lines, anonymous whistleblowing routes or by notifying a nominated compliance officer within the organisation. All reports are treated seriously, investigated promptly and handled with appropriate confidentiality to protect reporters and affected individuals.

We maintain a clear governance structure for our slavery and human trafficking statement: senior management oversight, designated responsibility for compliance and cross-functional involvement from procurement, HR and operations. Records of supplier evaluations, audit results and remediation activity are retained and reviewed to ensure accountability.

Annual review: Gardening Acton will review this modern slavery statement and our anti-slavery measures at least once every year. The review will assess the effectiveness of our policies, auditing programme, training and reporting channels, and will update practices in response to new risks or regulatory developments. We are committed to transparent reporting of progress and continual improvement across our supply chain and operations.