Modern Slavery Statement for Gardeners St Margarets

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps that Gardeners St Margarets has taken and will continue to take to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking within our business operations and supply chains. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our relationships and to implementing effective systems and controls to safeguard individuals from exploitation.

Our Zero-Tolerance Approach

Gardeners St Margarets maintains a clear zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, child labour, and servitude. This policy applies to every aspect of our business activities, including our gardening services, procurement of goods and materials, and any contracted or subcontracted services.

All employees, contractors, and suppliers are expected to uphold this standard. We will not knowingly work with any individual or organisation that engages in or condones modern slavery or that fails to demonstrate adequate efforts to prevent it. Where instances of non-compliance are identified, Gardeners St Margarets reserves the right to suspend or terminate business relationships.

Governance and Responsibility

The overall responsibility for our modern slavery compliance rests with the senior management of Gardeners St Margarets. Management is responsible for ensuring that appropriate policies, procedures, and training are in place and that these are effectively communicated and enforced throughout the organisation.

Line managers are required to ensure that team members are aware of our zero-tolerance stance and understand how to identify and report potential indicators of exploitation. All employees share responsibility for safeguarding vulnerable individuals by remaining vigilant and raising concerns at the earliest opportunity.

Our Supply Chains and Supplier Audits

Our supply chains include the sourcing of horticultural products, tools, equipment, uniforms, and ancillary services related to our gardening operations. We recognise that modern slavery risks can be heightened in complex or multi-tier supply chains and in sectors where temporary or low-paid labour is common.

Gardeners St Margarets undertakes proportionate due diligence on existing and new suppliers. This may include requesting information on labour practices, ethical sourcing policies, and compliance with relevant legislation. Where appropriate, we carry out audits or assessments to verify that suppliers are operating to acceptable standards and that they have their own procedures to prevent modern slavery.

If a supplier is found to be in breach of our expectations on modern slavery, we will work with them to implement corrective actions within a reasonable timeframe. Persistent non-compliance or failure to remediate serious issues may result in the termination of the commercial relationship.

Training and Awareness

Gardeners St Margarets is committed to raising awareness of modern slavery indicators and best practice among employees who are involved in procurement, recruitment, or supplier management. Training and guidance are provided so that staff can recognise signs of exploitation, understand their responsibilities, and know what to do if they have concerns.

We also encourage open discussions about ethical practices within our teams to reinforce a culture in which exploitation is not tolerated and in which people feel empowered to speak up.

Reporting Concerns and Whistleblowing

Employees, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to report any concerns about possible modern slavery or unethical labour practices connected to Gardeners St Margarets or our supply chains. Concerns may relate to working conditions, recruitment practices, withholding of wages, restrictions on movement, or any other suspected form of exploitation.

Reports can be made through our internal reporting channels or directly to management. All reports will be treated seriously and, where possible, confidentially. We will investigate concerns promptly, take appropriate corrective or protective measures, and ensure that no one who raises a concern in good faith suffers any form of retaliation.

Continuous Improvement and Annual Review

Gardeners St Margarets recognises that tackling modern slavery is an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement. We are committed to regularly reviewing and enhancing our policies, due diligence processes, and training to reflect evolving risks, best practice, and legislative changes.

This Modern Slavery Statement will be reviewed annually by senior management to assess its effectiveness and to identify opportunities for improvement. Where necessary, we will update the statement and our internal procedures to strengthen our approach. By doing so, Gardeners St Margarets aims to contribute meaningfully to the elimination of modern slavery and to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all our activities.