Gardeners Southgate Modern Slavery Statement
This Modern Slavery Statement sets out Gardeners Southgate's commitment to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. We adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of forced labour, servitude, or exploitation. Our anti-slavery commitment is an integral part of how we operate and the standards we expect from our staff, contractors and suppliers. This Gardeners Southgate modern slavery statement is reviewed and communicated across the organisation.Our Commitment and Zero-Tolerance Approach
We maintain a zero-tolerance policy on modern slavery and human trafficking. All employees and associates are required to comply with this anti-slavery policy and to report any concerns. Gardeners Southgate declares that any breach of this stance will trigger prompt investigation and corrective action, including termination of contracts where necessary. We are clear that there is no place for slavery in our business or in the businesses of those who supply us.
Due Diligence and Supplier Audits
We conduct due diligence to identify and mitigate risks of modern slavery across our supply chain. Our supplier audit programme assesses labour practices, recruitment processes and working conditions. Audits can be remote or on-site, and are performed on a risk-based schedule. Supplier audits form part of our procurement criteria and ongoing monitoring to ensure suppliers meet our standards for ethical sourcing and workers' rights.Preventive Measures, Policies and Training
Gardeners Southgate implements policies and controls to reduce the risk of exploitation. Our recruitment procedures include identity checks and verification to prevent the use of unregulated labour. We deliver regular training for employees and procurement teams to raise awareness of the modern slavery statement, how to spot indicators of trafficking, and how to respond. Education and clear escalation routes are core to our prevention activities.
We maintain multiple reporting channels to enable safe and confidential disclosure of concerns. Employees and third parties can raise issues through internal reporting lines, anonymous hotlines, or direct contact with designated compliance officers. Reports are treated with confidentiality, investigated promptly, and lead to remedial actions where required. Our reporting framework is designed to protect whistleblowers and ensure non-retaliation.
Our supplier engagement includes contractual clauses requiring compliance with the slavery and human trafficking statement, and the right to audit. We maintain an approval process for new suppliers and periodic re-assessment for existing partners. Key elements of our supplier review process include:
- Risk-based supplier mapping and prioritisation;
- Regular supplier audits and follow-up remedial plans;
- Contractual commitments to ethical labour standards.
Monitoring, Enforcement and Remediation
We monitor compliance through audits, supplier self-assessments, and performance metrics. Where breaches are found, remedial action may include corrective action plans, capacity building for suppliers, or termination of relationships. We aim to ensure victims receive appropriate support and that systemic issues are addressed. Our enforcement measures are proportional and focused on protecting workers and eliminating exploitative practices across the supply chain.
Gardeners Southgate's governance structure assigns responsibility for the slavery and human trafficking programme to senior management. Policies are overseen by our compliance team and reported to the leadership on a regular basis. We believe transparency, continuous improvement and accountability are essential. Strong governance ensures the modern slavery policy is integrated into procurement, HR and operational decisions.
