Modern Slavery Statement — Gardeners Colindale
Gardeners Colindale publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to affirm our unwavering commitment to eradicating modern slavery across our operations and supply chain. As Gardeners of Colindale, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for any form of forced labour, human trafficking, exploitation or related abuses. This statement sets out our approach to prevention, detection and remediation and describes the steps we take to ensure our workforce and suppliers operate ethically.
Our Policy and Commitments
Gardeners Colindale Ltd adopts clear policies that require all staff, contractors and suppliers to comply with labour standards. We require adherence to local and international labour laws and our own code of conduct. Our zero-tolerance policy is enforced through contractual clauses, supplier onboarding conditions and employee training. Every manager and procurement professional in the Gardeners-Colindale network is responsible for implementation and for raising concerns where standards fall short.
We recognise that risks can emerge in complex supply chains. Our procurement teams map supply chains and apply risk-based due diligence to high-risk categories, including seasonal labour, subcontracted services and imported materials. As part of our approach we conduct targeted supplier audits, require corrective action plans and reserve the right to suspend or terminate relationships where systemic non-compliance persists.
Supplier Audits and Due Diligence
Supplier audits are central to our preventive work. Gardeners Colindale carries out a mix of announced and unannounced audits, desktop reviews and on-site verification. Audits evaluate working hours, wage compliance, recruitment practices and freedom of movement. Where risks are identified we implement remediation, capacity building and follow-up audits until issues are closed. We also integrate anti-slavery requirements into tender and contract documents for all procurement channels.
Reporting channels are available to everyone connected to the Gardeners Colindale family. We maintain multiple, secure and confidential reporting mechanisms to ensure concerns about modern slavery can be raised without fear of reprisal. This includes an internal ethics reporting line, anonymous submission options and escalation to senior compliance personnel. We promote a speak-up culture through training and visible leadership support.
To make reporting accessible we provide clear guidance on how to raise concerns and how reports are investigated. Key elements of our process include:
- Confidentiality: reports can be made anonymously and will be treated in strict confidence;
- Investigation: each allegation is promptly triaged and investigated by trained staff;
- Protection: whistleblower protections are in place to prevent retaliation.
We require that suppliers cooperate fully with audits and remediation actions. Where necessary, Gardeners of Colindale will provide access to resources and training to support corrective measures. Our supplier management approach combines contractual enforcement with continuous improvement, encouraging suppliers to adopt best practices to mitigate risks of labour exploitation and trafficking.
As part of our governance, the senior leadership team reviews our anti-slavery performance and non-financial risk metrics regularly. We track audit outcomes, remediation progress and training completion rates across the Gardeners Colindale group. Findings are reported to the board and to relevant internal committees to ensure accountability and to drive improvements in policy and resourcing.
This statement is subject to annual review and continuous improvement. Each year we evaluate the effectiveness of our policies, supplier audit programme, reporting channels and training, and update this declaration to reflect changes in our business, emerging risks and lessons learned. Gardeners Colindale Ltd remains committed to working collaboratively with suppliers, partners and stakeholders to prevent modern slavery and to remediate harms when they occur. We will continue to strengthen our processes, ensure transparency and uphold a firm stance that exploitation has no place in our operations or supply networks.
