Gardener Erith Modern Slavery Statement

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out Gardener Erith's commitment to preventing any form of modern slavery or human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. We acknowledge our responsibility under anti-slavery legislation and publish this anti-slavery policy to confirm our position. Our approach to slavery and human trafficking is founded on a zero-tolerance policy toward exploitation, forced labour and trafficking. We commit to continuous improvement across our sites, partners and supply chain.

Our Policy and Principles

Gardener Erith's modern slavery policy applies to all employees, contractors and suppliers. We require that all stakeholders respect fundamental human rights and operate in accordance with ethical employment standards. We make clear that any breach of our slavery prevention standards will result in immediate action. We will not tolerate any conduct that undermines these principles and we will take decisive measures to remediate or terminate relationships that are non-compliant.

We operate a risk-based approach to supplier management that includes supplier audits, contractual clauses and targeted due diligence. Key elements include:

• Supplier audits: scheduled and unannounced reviews of labour practices, records and working conditions;
• Due diligence: pre-contract screening and ongoing checks for indicators of forced labour and exploitation;
• Remediation plans: corrective action where issues are identified, with strict escalation for unresolved breaches.

Scope and Supply Chain Controls

Our scope covers Gardener Erith's direct operations, subcontractors and material suppliers. We map high-risk supply chains and monitor key sectors where vulnerability to modern slavery is greater. Through contractual commitments we require our suppliers to uphold the standards set out in this anti-slavery statement and to cooperate with audits and improvement programmes. We build capacity with partners to raise awareness and improve labour standards across tiers.

Reporting channels are a critical part of our protection framework. We provide multiple secure mechanisms for employees and third parties to raise concerns, including anonymous reporting where required. Reports are treated with confidentiality and investigated promptly by trained personnel. Our internal whistleblowing process is designed to protect reporters from retaliation and to deliver fair, timely investigations in line with best practice.

Training, awareness and monitoring are integral to our preventive measures. All relevant staff receive mandatory training on recognising signs of modern slavery and how to act. Procurement teams undergo specific instruction on supplier audits and contract clauses. We maintain records of audit findings and corrective actions, and leadership reviews these records regularly to ensure the effectiveness of our controls and to inform further risk mitigation.

Responsibility for implementing this modern slavery and human trafficking policy sits with senior management and the board. Operational owners are accountable for day-to-day compliance, and our compliance function reports on progress against key performance indicators. We also require our contractors and business partners to adopt equivalent standards and to provide evidence of compliance upon request.

Where non-compliance is identified, Gardener Erith will apply proportionate remediation steps: immediate safeguards for affected workers, corrective action plans for suppliers, and contract termination for severe or persistent breaches. We will cooperate with enforcement authorities where incidents require legal intervention and will support victims through available protections and remedies.

This statement is approved by the board and will be reviewed annually as part of our governance cycle. Our annual review includes evaluation of the risk assessment, audit programme, training effectiveness and reporting outcomes. We are committed to transparent disclosure of our progress and to strengthening our anti-slavery measures year on year. By continuously refining our modern slavery prevention framework, Gardener Erith aims to eradicate exploitation from our operations and to foster a safe, ethical supply chain.