Gardener Battersea: Modern Slavery Statement and Commitment

Gardener Battersea publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to set out our unwavering commitment to prevent modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour in all aspects of our operations and supply chains. This anti-slavery statement reflects our values, demonstrates a zero-tolerance policy and explains the steps we take to identify, mitigate and remedy risks. We use the term modern slavery declaration and related phrases interchangeably to make clear that eradication of exploitation is central to our corporate responsibility.

We operate on the principle that everyone engaged with our organisation must be treated with dignity and respect. Our slavery statement covers employees, contractors and suppliers, and applies to all activities under Gardener Battersea control. The Board endorses this statement and expects every manager to implement our standards consistently.

As part of our Modern slavery policy, we maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any form of forced labour. Allegations are taken seriously, investigated promptly and, where substantiated, will result in decisive action including contract termination, remedial measures and reporting to appropriate authorities. We require all partners to adhere to our code of conduct that prohibits exploitation and supports fair working conditions.

Due Diligence, Supplier Audits and Risk Management

We conduct targeted due diligence and ongoing supplier audits to assess risks across our procurement network. Our risk-based approach focuses on sectors and geographies where the likelihood of exploitation is higher. Audit activities include document checks, on-site inspections, worker interviews and review of payroll and recruitment practices. Findings are recorded and acted upon through corrective action plans.

Our procurement teams embed anti-slavery clauses into contracts and require suppliers to provide evidence of compliance. We use a combination of third-party audits, self-assessment questionnaires and spot checks to verify that employment standards meet our expectations. Non-compliant suppliers must implement remediation plans or face suspension or termination of business relationships.

We also provide training to staff involved in sourcing and contract management so that they can recognise indicators of trafficking and coercion. Our training emphasises how to escalate concerns and how to support effective supplier audits that prioritise worker voices.

Reporting Channels, Whistleblowing and Remediation

Gardener Battersea maintains clear reporting channels for suspected modern slavery. Employees and third parties can raise concerns confidentially and without fear of retaliation. Our whistleblowing procedures include secure internal reporting lines and independent investigation mechanisms to ensure impartiality and swift action.

We respond to reports with thorough investigations, victim-centred remedies and cooperation with law enforcement or NGOs when appropriate. Remediation might include support for affected individuals, changes to supplier contracts, repayment of unlawful deductions and improvements to working conditions. We document all cases and outcomes to strengthen future prevention.

Key elements of our approach include:

• Prevention: contractual clauses, worker awareness and recruitment checks.
• Detection: audits, supplier assessments and anonymous reporting options.
• Response: investigation, remediation and contractual remedies.

We publish this anti-slavery statement annually and commit to continuous improvement. Our slavery prevention statement is reviewed each year by senior leadership and the Board, and is updated to reflect changing risks, regulatory developments and lessons learned from incidents. The annual review evaluates policy effectiveness, audit results, training uptake and remediation outcomes.

To ensure transparency and accountability, we maintain records of supplier due diligence, corrective actions and training completion. Performance metrics guide resource allocation and improvements in supplier management. Where systemic issues are identified, we collaborate with industry peers and non-governmental organisations to promote sector-wide solutions.

Conclusion: Gardener Battersea will not tolerate modern slavery in any form. Through robust policies, regular supplier audits, accessible reporting channels and an annual review cycle, we strive to prevent exploitation in our operations and supply chain and to protect the rights and welfare of all workers.