Gardeners Greenwich — Modern Slavery Statement

At Gardeners Greenwich we declare a clear and uncompromising stance: we operate a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour in all forms. This Gardeners Greenwich modern slavery statement outlines our commitments, the actions we take across the business and supply chain, and the mechanisms we maintain to detect, prevent and remedy any risks. We expect the same high standards from everyone we contract with.

Scope and Purpose of This Statement

Gardeners of Greenwich and all affiliated teams delivering Greenwich gardening services are covered by this policy. The purpose of this statement is to set out how we identify risk, undertake robust due diligence, and provide clear routes for reporting concerns. Our commitment extends to employees, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers operating both locally and in any locations that form part of our supply chain.

• Risk assessment: regular identification and mapping of high-risk activities and geographies;
• Supplier expectations: contractual clauses requiring compliance with anti-slavery standards;
• Remediation: proportionate measures to support affected workers and remedy harm.

We recognise that the horticulture, landscaping and grounds maintenance sectors can be vulnerable to exploitative practices. To address this we have embedded supplier audits as a core part of our approach: scheduled checks, unannounced visits where appropriate, and desktop reviews of labour practices. Supplier audits for Gardeners Greenwich include verification of payroll, right-to-work documentation, working hours, and accommodation where provided. We take a risk-based approach, prioritising higher-risk suppliers and categories for more frequent and thorough audits.

Supplier Management and Audits

Our procurement team enforces contractual clauses requiring suppliers to adopt policies consistent with this statement. We maintain a supplier code of conduct, and we follow up with audit findings to ensure corrective action plans are implemented. Audit outcomes shape our supplier relationships: persistent non-compliance can lead to contract termination. As part of continuous improvement, our suppliers are required to provide training records and evidence of worker engagement and grievance procedures.

Reporting channels are vital to effective prevention and remediation. Gardeners Greenwich provides multiple safe routes for concerns to be raised, including anonymous reporting mechanisms, confidential internal reporting lines and escalation to senior governance where necessary. We protect whistleblowers from retaliation and encourage all personnel to speak up if they suspect exploitation. Reports are investigated promptly, impartially and with attention to the welfare of potential victims.

Our governing board, senior management and a designated compliance lead share responsibility for implementation and oversight. We commit to annual review of this Modern Slavery Statement and related policies to reflect evolving risks, legislative developments, and learnings from audits and reports. Each year we assess the effectiveness of our actions, revise our risk assessments, and update training for staff and suppliers. Training includes awareness of indicators of modern slavery, appropriate responses, and the requirement to document and escalate concerns.

Gardeners Greenwich will continue to develop partnerships with industry bodies, labour rights groups and peer organisations to strengthen our approach. We are committed to transparency about our progress while protecting the privacy and safety of individuals. This Modern Slavery Statement for Gardeners Greenwich is a declaration of ongoing commitment: to eradicate forced labour from our operations, to require compliance from the Greenwich gardeners network and supply chain, and to report on progress through our governance processes. Our zero-tolerance stance, robust supplier audits, accessible reporting channels and regular annual review form the pillars of our approach.