Gardening Southgate Modern Slavery Statement

Our Commitment

Gardening Southgate is committed to a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking in any part of our operations or supply chains. This modern slavery statement sets out how we identify, prevent and address risks of slavery and forced labour in our business. We recognise that combating modern slavery and human trafficking requires clear leadership, practical controls and ongoing vigilance across procurement, operations and partner relationships.

Scope and Principles

We apply the following principles across all Gardening Southgate activities: respect for human rights, proactive risk assessment, responsible procurement and remediation where harm is identified. Our approach to slavery and human trafficking focuses on prevention, detection and remedy. We require suppliers and contractors to adhere to the same standards we set for ourselves and to demonstrate compliance with labour laws, safe working conditions and transparent employment practices.

To operationalise these principles we have embedded specific controls: contractual clauses prohibiting forced or bonded labour, worker identity safeguards, and clear expectations for subcontractors. Our teams receive regular training on recognising signs of exploitation and the distinctions between child labour, forced labour and human trafficking. We use varied terminology — modern slavery, modern slavery risks, forced labour and trafficking — to ensure clarity across different stakeholder groups and legal contexts.

Supplier due diligence is central to our prevention strategy. We perform risk-based supplier audits, combining document review, on-site checks where feasible, and third-party verifications. Audit criteria include working hours, wages, recruitment practices, and evidence of freely given consent to work. When audits identify non-compliance with our anti-slavery standards, we require corrective action plans, monitor progress and, where appropriate, suspend or terminate relationships to protect workers and uphold our zero tolerance stance.

Our supplier audit programme includes:

• Risk-based screening of new suppliers for modern slavery and forced labour indicators;
• Periodic on-site or remote audits focused on employment conditions;
• Verification of recruitment fees, contract clarity and freedom of movement for workers;
• Remediation pathways and follow-up assessments to ensure sustained compliance.

We maintain multiple reporting channels to encourage disclosure of concerns. Workers, suppliers and other stakeholders can raise issues anonymously through secure whistleblowing routes, and internal reporting lines are clearly defined for staff. All reports are treated seriously and investigated promptly, with protections against retaliation. Our internal investigations team documents findings and recommends remedial actions, including support for affected individuals and changes to supplier relationships.

Transparency and accountability are reinforced by leadership oversight and governance. Senior managers receive regular updates on modern slavery risks and management actions. Our procurement policies embed anti-slavery clauses and require supplier certifications of compliance. We also promote awareness across our organisation through briefings and role-specific guidance so that teams understand how to spot and respond to potential exploitation.

Gardeners, suppliers and partners should recognise that preventing exploitation is a collective responsibility. Gardening Southgate will continue to refine its processes, expand audit coverage, and prioritise support for vulnerable workers. We will work collaboratively with industry peers, suppliers and relevant authorities to strengthen remediation and prevention mechanisms where forced labour or trafficking risks are identified.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

We conduct an annual review of this statement, our supplier audit results and the effectiveness of reporting channels. The review assesses trends, evaluates remediation outcomes, and updates our risk assessments and training content. Findings are used to improve supplier engagement, enhance monitoring activities and allocate resources to higher-risk areas. This annual process ensures our modern slavery policy remains current and effective against evolving threats.

Conclusion: Gardening Southgate reaffirms its zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking. Through due diligence, supplier audits, robust reporting channels and an annual review cycle, we are committed to preventing exploitation and protecting the dignity of all workers associated with our business.