Modern Slavery Statement for Gardeners Harlesden

Gardeners Harlesden and the Gardeners of Harlesden community affirm a clear and uncompromising position: we maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour in any part of our operations or supply chain. This Modern Slavery Statement articulates our approach to identifying, preventing and responding to the risk that any person working for, or with, Harlesden Gardeners is subject to exploitation. The following sets out commitments, procedures and accountability measures that underpin our efforts.

Our Commitment and Principles

We are committed to acting ethically and transparently in all our business dealings. Gardeners Harlesden applies core principles of respect for human rights across procurement, subcontracting and labour engagement. We will not tolerate any form of modern slavery, and we require the same standards from those we work with. This statement applies to all colleagues, temporary staff, contractors and suppliers engaged by Harlesden Gardeners.

Scope, Responsibilities and Leadership

The governance of this Modern Slavery Statement is led by senior management and overseen by our compliance lead. Responsibilities for implementation sit with procurement, operations and HR. Our policy expects suppliers to meet minimum standards and to demonstrate practices that prevent forced labour. Harlesden Gardeners will take action where non‑compliance is identified, up to termination of contracts and reporting to appropriate authorities where required.

We recognise that the risk of modern slavery is often highest in complex supply chains. To address this we perform regular supplier due diligence and supplier audits, focusing resources on higher-risk suppliers and services. These audits combine self-assessment questionnaires, documentary evidence checks and site visits where practicable. Our compliance checks examine recruitment practices, wage records, working hours and freedom of movement to detect potential indicators of exploitation affecting workforce members.

We provide clear reporting channels to enable anyone to raise concerns about suspected modern slavery or unethical labour practices. Reports can be made internally through designated reporting lines and anonymously via our whistleblowing mechanism. We emphasise confidentiality and protection for those who come forward in good faith. All reports are investigated promptly and proportionately by trained personnel.

To summarise our key measures and expectations, the following actions form the backbone of our programme:

• Supplier audits: scheduled and ad hoc checks to validate compliance;
• Contract clauses: mandatory anti-modern slavery provisions in supplier agreements;
• Training: regular awareness training for procurement and site managers;
• Reporting channels: secure routes for confidential disclosures and whistleblowing;
• Remediation: clear processes to support affected individuals and remedial actions for suppliers.

Our due diligence processes for Harlesden Gardeners include risk assessment at onboarding and annual reviews thereafter. When working with subcontractors and labour providers, we verify right-to-work documentation and insist on transparent recruitment fees and employment terms. Harlesden Gardeners modern slavery statement seeks to influence the behaviour of our partners through engagement, capacity-building and, where necessary, decisive contractual enforcement.

We maintain multiple reporting channels to ensure accessibility: internal line managers, HR reporting, a confidential whistleblowing route and escalation to senior compliance officers. All reports are logged, risk-rated and investigated. We will not tolerate retaliation against whistleblowers and will consider disciplinary or contractual action against those found to be involved in modern slavery or in obstructing investigations.

Accountability and continuous improvement are central to our approach. We commit to an annual review of this statement and our associated policies, with progress reported to senior management. Review activities include analysis of audit findings, supplier performance, training completion rates and the effectiveness of reporting and remediation. The annual review ensures that our policies remain robust, that lessons are learned and that improvements are embedded across Harlesden Gardeners.