Gardener Eltham Modern Slavery Statement

Gardener Eltham publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to reaffirm our enduring commitment to prevent all forms of forced labour, exploitation and human trafficking within our operations and supply chain. We operate a zero-tolerance policy in relation to modern slavery and related abuses, and this anti-slavery statement sets out how Gardener Eltham identifies, mitigates and remediates risk across our services, procurement and partners.

Policy and Commitment

Our modern slavery policy mandates that all employees, contractors and suppliers comply with applicable laws and our internal standards. We require adherence to our code of conduct and implement pre-contract checks and ongoing assessments to reduce risk. This slavery and human trafficking statement is supported by senior management and is integrated into corporate governance to ensure accountability and transparency.

As part of our procurement strategy we conduct due diligence on new and existing suppliers. Our supplier onboarding includes checks for labour practices, verification of worker rights and proof of lawful employment. We monitor high-risk areas and take corrective action where evidence of exploitation or breaches of our anti-modern slavery standards is found.

Scope and Responsibilities

Gardener Eltham’s modern slavery commitment covers our direct employees, temporary labour, contractors and the broader supply chain. Responsibility for implementing this modern slavery statement rests with the Compliance Lead, supported by procurement, HR and operations teams. Departments are required to complete risk assessments and document controls that address forced labour risks specific to their activities and geographic exposure.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

We maintain multiple secure reporting channels for concerns relating to slavery, exploitation or unethical labour practices. Channels include internal escalation routes, anonymous reporting mechanisms and clear escalation to senior leadership. Our reporting approach ensures confidentiality and protection from retaliation for those who raise concerns in good faith. Key reporting features include:

• Anonymous hotline and secure form
• Direct line to compliance team
• Supervisor and HR reporting routes

All reports are logged and investigated promptly. Where a report reveals modern slavery or human trafficking, we act to protect affected workers, suspend relationships with implicated suppliers and pursue remediation. We will cooperate with authorities where criminal activity is suspected and ensure survivors receive appropriate support without prejudice.

Supplier Audits and Risk Mitigation

We conduct regular supplier audits, combining self-assessment questionnaires, documentary review and on-site inspections where necessary. Audit activities focus on wages and working hours, recruitment fees, freedom of movement, and worker documentation. Where audits identify non-compliance, we require corrective action plans, monitor implementation and escalate persistent failures to senior management for contract review or termination.

To strengthen supply chain integrity we partner with industry bodies and use risk intelligence to prioritise audits. Training is provided to procurement teams to detect red flags relating to modern slavery. Our purchasing practices are designed to avoid incentivising exploitative practices, including fair payment terms and realistic lead times.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement: Gardener Eltham reviews this anti-slavery statement at least annually. The annual review examines policy effectiveness, audit findings, reports received and corrective actions taken. Outcomes inform updates to controls, supplier engagement strategies and staff training. We publicly commit to continuous improvement and to strengthening mechanisms that prevent modern slavery in all forms.