Gardeners Deptford Modern Slavery Statement

Gardeners Deptford is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in all aspects of our operations. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out our approach to identifying, assessing and addressing modern slavery risks within our business and supply chains. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of forced labour, exploitation or coercion and expect the same high standards from our partners.

We publish this slavery and human trafficking statement to be transparent about our commitments and the actions we take. Our anti-slavery policy is integrated into company governance and staff training, and we require all employees to act in accordance with these standards. Gardeners Deptford regularly communicates that any breach of the policy will be treated seriously and may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Our commitment is uncompromising and applies to every part of our organisation.

Supply Chain Due Diligence and Supplier Audits

We conduct comprehensive due diligence and regular supplier audits to reduce the risk of modern slavery in our supply chain. Our procurement procedures include supplier risk assessments, where we evaluate labour practices, working conditions and third-party compliance with anti-slavery requirements. Key actions include:

• Risk-based supplier audits targeting high-risk regions and sectors;
• Contract clauses requiring suppliers to comply with our anti-slavery policies;
• On-site inspections and documentary checks for payroll, contracts and recruitment practices;
• Corrective action plans with clear timescales for any non-compliance identified.

Policies, Training and Employee Responsibilities

All staff at Gardeners Deptford receive training relevant to their role so they can identify potential indicators of exploitation. Our policies cover recruitment, worker welfare and whistleblowing. We emphasize the importance of ethical sourcing and ensure managers are equipped to enforce the modern slavery policy. Employees are expected to report concerns promptly through our reporting channels.

To ensure effective implementation we undertake regular audits of both direct and indirect suppliers. These supplier audits are designed to assess compliance with labour standards and to verify that recruitment practices are free from fees or debts that could create dependency. Where issues are found we require immediate remedial steps and follow up until resolved. We also work collaboratively with suppliers to build capacity and promote best practices across the supply chain.

Reporting Channels and Protection for Whistleblowers

Gardeners Deptford provides secure and confidential reporting channels for employees, contractors and third parties to raise concerns. Reports can be made internally through line managers or designated compliance officers and are handled by trained personnel. We protect individuals who report concerns in good faith from retaliation. Our reporting channels are monitored to ensure timely investigation and resolution of allegations related to slavery, human trafficking or related abuses.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We perform an annual review of this anti-slavery statement and all associated policies to measure effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. This review considers audit findings, incidents reported through our reporting channels, changes in our supply chain and evolving best practice. The results of the annual review inform updates to training, procurement procedures and supplier engagement strategies.

Gardeners Deptford’s approach to a modern slavery statement is proactive and evolving: a combination of prevention, detection and remediation. We will continue to strengthen our controls, increase transparency, and work with partners to eradicate slavery and forced labour from our operations and supply chains. Our zero-tolerance stance remains central to everything we do, supported by robust supplier audits, clear reporting channels and an annual review cycle to ensure continued progress.