Gardeners Blackfriars declares a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour across its operations. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out how Gardeners of Blackfriars identifies, prevents and addresses risks in our supply chain and workforce. We commit to transparent, accountable practice and to continually improving our approach so that Blackfriars Gardeners operate ethically and responsibly.

Statement scope and commitment

This policy applies to everyone working for Gardeners Blackfriars, contractors and suppliers. We will not tolerate exploitation, and we require partners to meet the same standards. The organisation demands clear evidence of lawful, voluntary employment and fair treatment of workers. Compliance with labour standards is mandatory and non-negotiable.

Risk assessment and supplier due diligence

Gardeners of Blackfriars undertakes regular risk assessments to identify where modern slavery risks are most likely to arise in our purchasing of plants, equipment and horticultural services. We review geographic, commodity and supplier-specific indicators and maintain a supplier risk register. Our procurement teams work with suppliers to map labour practices and take mitigating steps where gaps are identified.

We operate a structured supplier audit programme to verify compliance. Key features include:

• Pre-qualification checks for new suppliers to screen labour practices, contracts and recruitment methods.
• On-site audits and remote verifications to confirm employment conditions and documentation.
• Corrective action plans where issues are found and follow-up audits to ensure remediation.

Training, policies and contractual controls

Gardeners Blackfriars provides training for staff involved in sourcing, operations and HR to recognise signs of modern slavery and to apply the policy consistently. Our supplier contracts include anti-slavery clauses and the right to audit. We expect suppliers to maintain their own procedures and to cascade requirements to subcontractors.

We use clear contractual terms that require suppliers to declare compliance with labour laws and ethical recruitment practices. Where subcontracting is necessary, we ask suppliers to document how labour is recruited, paid and housed, and to show that employment is voluntary and fairly compensated.

To strengthen prevention we adopt a range of measures: regular supplier engagement meetings, anonymous worker voice channels, and independent verification where necessary. Gardeners Blackfriars will suspend or terminate contracts if evidence shows deliberate or systemic breaches.

Reporting channels are vital. We provide multiple secure routes for raising concerns, including internal reporting to designated compliance leads, confidential whistleblowing arrangements and protected escalation paths for suspected abuses. Reports are treated seriously and promptly investigated. Anyone reporting in good faith will be supported and safeguarded against retaliation.

Our investigations follow a documented process: initial screening, fact-gathering, risk assessment and corrective actions where necessary. Where criminal conduct is suspected, we will cooperate with law enforcement. Gardeners Blackfriars will keep remediation records and ensure victims receive appropriate support and remedies.

The Board receives regular updates on modern slavery risks and responses. We have defined responsibilities at senior levels to maintain oversight and ensure that anti-slavery commitments are embedded into business strategy.

We will report progress on an annual basis: outcomes from audits, supplier compliance rates, training statistics and any incidents and remediation actions. This annual review informs continual improvement and helps us refine our supplier audits and due diligence processes. Progressive improvement is expected across all categories of purchasing, and we will publish an updated statement each year.

Gardeners Blackfriars recognises that modern slavery is a complex, evolving risk. We therefore commit to regular review of our policy, to learning from industry best practice and to updating controls as necessary. Continuous review and stakeholder engagement are central to maintaining effective safeguards.

By declaring this Modern Slavery Statement, Gardeners Blackfriars reaffirms its determination to eradicate exploitation within our operations and supply chain and to hold partners to the same high standard of integrity and human dignity.