Gardeners Elephant and Castle - Modern Slavery Statement

Gardeners Elephant and Castle publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to set out our commitment to preventing all forms of forced labour and human exploitation in our operations and supply chains. We adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards slavery and human trafficking and require every team member and supplier to adhere to the highest ethical standards. This anti-slavery statement reflects our values and outlines how we manage risk, monitor compliance and act when concerns arise.

We maintain clear obligations across our business to ensure that our modern slavery policy is embedded in everyday practice. Our slavery statement clarifies responsibilities for senior leadership, procurement and on-the-ground supervisors. We emphasise transparency and continuous improvement, and our procedures require documented checks at key decision points, written contractual terms with suppliers and mandatory awareness training for staff who manage suppliers or recruit temporary workers.

Scope and approach of this anti-slavery statement

Our anti-slavery policy applies to all entities operating under the Gardeners Elephant and Castle group, including contractors and labour-hire partners. We conduct periodic risk assessments to identify higher risk areas by geography, service type and supplier category. Where risks are identified, we implement proportionate mitigation measures such as enhanced due diligence, supplier audits and contractual protections designed to reduce the risk of forced labour and exploitation in our supply chain.

We require suppliers to confirm compliance with our modern slavery requirements before onboarding and during the contractual relationship. Our supplier audits combine documentary review, on-site inspections where appropriate and targeted interviews. Audit findings lead to corrective action plans; persistent or serious breaches may result in contract termination. We also prefer suppliers who demonstrate continuous improvement and who publish their own modern slavery or human rights disclosures.

To support responsible procurement, we operate a tiered approach: initial screening, contractual clauses, and where necessary independent third-party verification for higher-risk suppliers. Our supplier audits programme evaluates recruitment practices, working hours, wage compliance and freedom of movement to identify indicators of exploitation. We also provide guidance to suppliers on remediation and capacity building so that improvements are sustainable.

Reporting channels and whistleblowing

Gardeners Elephant and Castle maintains several confidential reporting channels for concerns about modern slavery and related abuses. Employees, contractors and suppliers are encouraged to raise issues via established internal reporting routes or through anonymised channels maintained by our compliance team. We guarantee non-retaliation for good-faith reports, and reports are investigated promptly, with documented outcomes and appropriate remedial action where required.

We take a victim-centred approach to any substantiated incidents, prioritising safety, immediate remedial support and cooperation with relevant authorities. When modern slavery incidents are identified, corrective measures include supplier suspension, legal action where necessary, and support for affected individuals. We document lessons learned to strengthen policies and prevent recurrence, and we work collaboratively with peers and industry initiatives to share best practice on prevention and remediation.

Training and awareness are core to our prevention efforts. All procurement, HR and site managers complete regular training on recognising the signs of exploitation and the practical steps to take when issues arise. We reinforce awareness through toolbox talks, clear procurement checklists and mandatory contract clauses that require disclosure of recruitment fees and evidence of lawful employment terms.

Our board and senior leadership review the effectiveness of this modern slavery and human trafficking statement at least annually. The annual review includes assessment of risk mapping, audit outcomes, training completion rates and the number and nature of reports received. Performance metrics and remediation case studies are used to inform updates to policy, allocate resources and strengthen supplier oversight as necessary.

Gardeners Elephant and Castle confirms a zero-tolerance policy to slavery and human trafficking and commits to continuous improvement across all business activities. We assess and manage supply chain risk, carry out supplier audits, provide accessible reporting channels and complete an annual review of our anti-slavery measures. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we will continue to work to eliminate modern slavery from our operations and supply chains.