Gardener Wallington Modern Slavery Statement
Gardener Wallington publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to make clear our firm commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking across our business and supply networks. We operate a zero-tolerance approach to any form of forced labour, bonded labour, or human trafficking. This anti-slavery statement sets out our policies, expectations of suppliers, and the measures we take to identify and address modern slavery risks.
Our statement on modern slavery applies to all employees, contractors and third-party partners engaged by Gardener Wallington. We mean business when we say we have zero tolerance for slavery and exploitation. The modern slavery policy is embedded in our procurement
We are committed to transparency and proportional action. In this modern slavery policy we describe the controls we apply, the training we provide and the ways people can raise concerns. We will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who reports wrongdoing in good faith.
Supply Chain Due Diligence and Supplier Audits
Gardener Wallington conducts risk-based due diligence across our supply chain and expects suppliers to meet our standards. Our supplier audits are a core part of our approach: we assess labour conditions, contractual practices and recruitment processes. Audit activities include document reviews, site visits and worker interviews where appropriate, and are supported by contractual clauses that require compliance with our anti-slavery requirements.
Our supplier audit programme is tiered and prioritises higher risk categories. We provide guidance and capacity building to suppliers found wanting, and we reserve the right to suspend or terminate relationships where serious breaches of our anti-slavery commitments are identified. We seek to work collaboratively to remediate issues where feasible, and to hold parties accountable where necessary.
Key due diligence actions include:
- Pre-engagement risk assessments for new suppliers
- Regular on-site and remote supplier audits
- Contract clauses requiring compliance with our anti-slavery statement
- Training and support to improve labour standards
Reporting Channels and Protections
We maintain secure and accessible reporting channels for all workers, suppliers and stakeholders. Reports of suspected modern slavery, exploitation or compliance violations may be raised through designated internal routes. We ensure confidentiality and protection from retaliation. Our whistleblowing procedures are clear: reports will be investigated promptly, fairly and objectively.
All concerns are handled by trained compliance staff and senior leadership, and we maintain records of incidents, investigations and outcomes. Where appropriate, we will engage external experts, partner NGOs or law enforcement to ensure effective resolution. Reporting channels are maintained to provide anonymity and safety for whistleblowers.
Remediation and continuous improvement are central to our response. If modern slavery is identified, we take immediate and proportionate action to protect victims, remediate harm and prevent recurrence. This may include subcontractor termination, remediation plans, and referrals to specialist support services where necessary.
Monitoring and governance is overseen by senior management and the Board. We maintain records of supplier audits, remediation efforts and training activities. Regular compliance reports are presented to governance bodies to ensure sustained focus on preventing exploitation.
Our commitments include ongoing training for staff involved in procurement and supply chain management, clear contractual requirements for partners, and continual refinement of our audit methodologies. We recognise that tackling modern slavery requires persistent effort, collaboration and transparency.
Gardener Wallington will review this modern slavery and human trafficking statement annually and update our policies and practices to reflect emerging risks and lessons learned. The annual review includes an assessment of our supplier audit effectiveness, a review of reported incidents and the progress of remediation actions. By publishing this modern slavery statement, we reaffirm our commitment to uphold human rights and to drive responsible business practices across our operations and supply chain.