Gardener Camden Modern Slavery Statement

Gardener Camden reaffirms its commitment in this Modern Slavery Statement to prevent all forms of exploitation in our operations and supply chains. This anti-slavery policy sets out a zero-tolerance approach to forced labour, human trafficking and any practice that undermines dignity at work. We declare that any breach of our anti-slavery code will result in immediate action, including termination of contracts and referral to the relevant authorities.

Our zero-tolerance policy and scope

We operate a clear zero-tolerance policy that applies to employees, contractors and suppliers. The modern slavery policy of Gardener Camden covers direct employment, subcontracted services and procurement of goods. All staff are required to comply with standards that prohibit withholding of identity documents, retention of wages, and restriction of movement. We treat violations as serious misconduct and apply proportionate sanctions.

To ensure transparency across our supply chain we implement targeted supplier audits and risk-based assessments. These supplier reviews assess working hours, wage practices, recruitment fees and subcontracting arrangements. Our procurement teams include anti-slavery clauses in contracts and require suppliers to demonstrate compliance with labour standards through documentation, site visits and corrective action plans when issues are found.

Due diligence and supplier audits

Our due diligence process combines desktop reviews with on-site audits and third-party verifications. We prioritise areas with higher risk factors and use a combination of announced and unannounced audits. Findings are recorded, and mandatory remediation steps are required where non-compliance is identified. Repeat or serious breaches can result in suspension or de-listing of the supplier.

We also provide training and resources for our procurement staff and operational managers so they can spot indicators of exploitation. This training emphasises prevention and early intervention and encourages staff to escalate concerns. Our wage and labour checks include sample interviews with workers, review of payroll and verification of recruitment practices to detect potential forced labour or bonded labour scenarios.

We maintain a supplier code of conduct that requires adherence to the Modern Slavery Act principles and related human rights obligations. The code is reinforced during onboarding and contract renewals, and suppliers must accept periodic evaluation and cooperate with independent assessments.

Reporting channels and whistleblowing

We provide multiple safe reporting channels for concerns about exploitation or slavery-like practices. Reports can be made confidentially and without fear of retaliation. Employees and third parties are encouraged to raise concerns through internal hotlines, via line managers, or through anonymised reporting tools. All reports are logged and investigated promptly by a designated compliance team.

Our investigation protocols prioritise victim safety and confidentiality. Where evidence of modern slavery is found, we ensure immediate protective measures, cooperate with enforcement bodies and mobilise support for affected individuals. We document outcomes and corrective measures, and we update our risk registers to prevent recurrence.

Annual review and continuous improvement: Gardener Camden conducts an annual review of this anti-slavery statement and associated policies. The review evaluates the effectiveness of supplier audits, reporting channels, training and remedial actions. Findings from the annual review inform policy updates, resource allocation and strategic priorities to strengthen our response to modern slavery. We are committed to continuous improvement and to publishing the results of our review where appropriate.