Gardeners World Team Modern Slavery Statement

Gardeners World Team is committed to preventing modern slavery and combating slavery and human trafficking throughout our operations and supply chains. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out our approach, reflecting our firm zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of forced labour and exploitation. We recognise our responsibility to uphold human rights and embed anti-slavery principles into every part of our organisation.

We have a clear stance against forced labour, debt bondage and any practices that amount to modern slavery. Our anti-slavery policy requires that all employees, contractors and suppliers act in accordance with our values. We publish this slavery statement annually to show accountability, describe our due diligence processes and demonstrate ongoing improvements to mitigate modern slavery risks.

We operate a rigorous supplier audit programme to assess and monitor labour standards across the supply chain. Audits are risk-based and include documentation reviews, on-site inspections and worker interviews where appropriate. Key audit features include:

• Pre-contract screening for new suppliers;
• Periodic compliance audits for higher-risk suppliers;
• Corrective action plans to address non-compliance.

Reporting Channels and Worker Voice

Gardeners World Team provides a range of confidential and secure reporting channels so workers and third parties can raise concerns without fear of retaliation. These reporting channels include anonymous reporting mechanisms, escalation routes to senior management and an independent review process. We encourage the use of internal channels and maintain procedures to protect whistleblowers. Our reporting framework is designed to be accessible, with clear steps for investigation and remediation.

We require suppliers to agree to contractual terms that prohibit modern slavery and forced labour. Our procurement policies incorporate anti-slavery clauses and require suppliers to demonstrate continuous improvement through evidence of policies, training and worker safeguarding. We use a combination of documentation requests, self-assessments and third-party audits to verify compliance and to identify areas for improvement.

Remediation, Training and Continuous Improvement

If an instance of modern slavery is identified, Gardeners World Team will act swiftly to remediate harm, prioritising the safety and welfare of affected individuals. Remediation may include providing immediate support, working with suppliers to implement corrective measures and, where necessary, terminating contracts. We deliver targeted training for procurement teams and operational staff, ensuring that colleagues can identify indicators of exploitation and know how to respond.

Our governance arrangements include senior management oversight and periodic review of key performance indicators related to modern slavery prevention. We publish an annual review of progress in which we assess the effectiveness of policies, supplier audits, reporting channels and remediation outcomes. The annual Modern Slavery Statement is subject to board approval and is updated to reflect evolving risks and improvements to our approach.

Gardeners World Team maintains a zero-tolerance policy on slavery and human trafficking and will not accept suppliers or partners who fail to meet fundamental labour standards. We continuously refine our risk assessments to focus resources where they are most needed and to foster responsible supply chain practices that protect workers. Our commitment to anti-slavery is enduring: we embed ethical procurement, expect transparency from partners and require remedial action when issues arise.

To measure impact we track audit outcomes, corrective action completion rates and the number and resolution of reported concerns. These metrics inform our annual review cycle and guide strategic improvements. We also engage with external stakeholders and sector initiatives to strengthen collective action against modern slavery and forced labour.

Through robust supplier audits, secure reporting channels, a clear zero-tolerance stance and an annual Modern Slavery Statement review, Gardeners World Team aims to prevent modern slavery in all its forms. We remain committed to continuous improvement, transparent reporting and the protection of human rights across our operations and supply chains.