Gardeners Maida Vale Modern Slavery Statement

Gardeners Maida Vale affirms a clear and persistent commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all areas of our operations and supply chain. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the policies, procedures and practical steps taken by Gardeners of Maida Vale (referred to in this statement as "GMV" or "Gardeners Maida Vale") to ensure we operate with integrity, respect and care for human rights across our business activities.

Our Zero-Tolerance Policy

We operate a strict zero-tolerance approach to any form of forced labour, servitude, slavery, or human trafficking. All employees, contractors and suppliers are required to comply with this policy. Any breach of this standard will lead to swift action, which may include termination of contracts, removal from our supply chain and referral to relevant authorities. Gardeners Maida Vale ensures that employment practices are lawful, transparent and fair, that wages are paid in full and on time, and that workers are free to leave employment after reasonable notice.

To put this into practice, GMV requires clear documentation for all workers, prohibits retention of identity documents, and maintains oversight to prevent exploitative recruitment fees. We train staff to recognise signs of modern slavery and to escalate concerns. Our anti-slavery stance is embedded in company codes of conduct and procurement terms.

Supplier Audits and Supply Chain Due Diligence

Supplier audits are central to our due diligence. Gardeners Maida Vale operates a risk-based audit programme that evaluates suppliers on labour standards, working conditions and compliance with anti-slavery requirements. Audits include document reviews, on-site inspections where feasible, and interviews with workers when appropriate. We prioritise audits for higher-risk suppliers and geographic areas.

Audit activities include:

• Verification of employment contracts and wage records;
• Assessment of recruitment practices to detect abusive or coercive arrangements;
• Checks for retention of identity documents and restrictions on movement;
• Evaluation of health, safety and accommodation conditions where provided.

Corrective action plans are required for any non-compliance identified during audits. GMV works collaboratively with suppliers to remediate issues, sets clear timelines for improvements, and reserves the right to suspend or terminate relationships where persistent failures occur.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

Gardeners Maida Vale provides multiple reporting channels to encourage the prompt disclosure of concerns. Employees and third parties are supported to report suspected modern slavery without fear of retaliation. We maintain procedures for anonymous reporting, internal escalation and confidential handling of all allegations. All reports are taken seriously, investigated promptly and objectively, and outcomes are communicated to relevant stakeholders in line with legal and privacy obligations.

Protection for whistleblowers is fundamental: GMV enforces anti-retaliation measures and ensures that anyone raising concerns in good faith is treated fairly. We also collaborate with external agencies and industry partners when specialist support or law enforcement involvement is required.

Training, Governance and Remediation

Training is provided to procurement, HR and operations teams to ensure consistent understanding of modern slavery risks and our responsibilities. Senior management and our governance structures maintain oversight of compliance activities, with the board receiving periodic updates on audit outcomes and remediation progress. Where victims or vulnerable workers are identified, Gardeners Maida Vale adopts a victim-centred approach that prioritises safety, access to support and appropriate remediation measures.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement

We review this statement, our policies and the effectiveness of our measures at least annually to ensure they remain appropriate to the scale and nature of our operations and to emerging risks. The annual review includes analysis of audit results, trend identification, assessment of supplier performance, and updates to training and contractual standards. Gardeners Maida Vale is committed to continuous improvement and will adapt our approach as new information and best practices emerge.

In conclusion, Gardeners Maida Vale’s anti-slavery commitments are practical, enforced and regularly reviewed. We will continue to work with suppliers, workers and industry peers to prevent modern slavery, to remediate any instances that arise, and to promote fair, safe and respectful working conditions across our operations and supply chain.