Modern Slavery Statement — Gardeners South Woodford

Gardeners South Woodford and its associated trading names, including Gardeners South Woodford Ltd and the South Woodford gardeners team, are committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all areas of our business and supply chain. This Modern Slavery Statement reflects our enduring pledge to uphold human rights, to maintain ethical standards, and to ensure all workers engaged by Gardeners of South Woodford are treated with dignity and respect.

Our organisation operates a clear zero-tolerance policy on modern slavery and forced labour. We require every colleague, contractor and supplier to understand that exploitation of workers is strictly prohibited, and we will take robust action where breaches are identified. Gardeners - South Woodford emphasises compliance with applicable laws and with best practice in ethical sourcing, recruitment and employment.

The scope of this statement covers our core operations, seasonal teams and direct supply chain partners. We recognise risks vary across activities and regions; therefore we have adopted risk-based approaches to identify and mitigate potential exposure to modern slavery. Our approach is informed by regular assessments and the experiences of other small and medium enterprises in the horticulture and landscaping sector.

Supplier due diligence and supplier audits

We carry out supplier audits and due diligence measures proportionate to the level of risk presented by each relationship. Auditing and verification are central to how Gardeners South Woodford manages supply chain integrity:

• Pre-engagement checks for new suppliers and contractors;
• Periodic on-site and documentation audits for higher-risk suppliers;
• Contract clauses that require compliance with our anti-slavery policies;
• Corrective action plans and follow-up audits when concerns are raised.

Audit findings are recorded, escalated and used to inform procurement decisions. Where audits indicate non-compliance, we will require swift remediation and may suspend or terminate contracts when suppliers fail to remedy issues in a timely manner.

Reporting channels and worker protections

Gardeners South Woodford maintains accessible reporting channels so workers, subcontractors and third parties can raise concerns safely and confidentially. Our reporting framework includes:

• Internal reporting to designated managers and human resources;
• Anonymous reporting mechanisms for those who need to remain unnamed;
• Escalation procedures that ensure reports are investigated promptly and impartially.

All reports are treated seriously and investigated thoroughly. We protect whistleblowers against retaliation and apply proportionate remedial measures if exploitation is discovered, including support for affected individuals and engagement with enforcement authorities where necessary.

Training and awareness are integral to our prevention strategy. We provide regular briefings for staff and guidance for contractors so that everyone who works with Gardeners South Woodford understands the indicators of modern slavery and the steps to take if they suspect it. This training is refreshed annually and adjusted in response to new risks or regulatory changes.

Our procurement policies set expectations for suppliers, requiring transparency around labour practices, recruitment fees and worker documentation. We will not tolerate any use of child labour, bonded labour, or other forms of exploitative practice, and we make these obligations clear in contractual terms.

Monitoring, accountability and annual review: The Board and senior management review this policy and our compliance activities at least once a year. We carry out an annual review of our modern slavery risk assessment, audit outcomes and remediation actions to ensure continuous improvement and accountability across the organisation.

Where risks are identified through audits, reports or routine checks, Gardeners South Woodford will implement corrective actions tailored to the severity and cause of non-compliance. These actions range from supplier training and time-bound improvement plans to contract termination and referral to relevant authorities for serious violations.

We will publish updates to this statement annually and will measure our progress against clear objectives, including the number of supplier audits conducted, training completion rates among staff, and the resolution of reported incidents. Our goal is to strengthen protections for workers and to reduce the risk of modern slavery within our commercial relationships.

Through ongoing vigilance, transparent supplier oversight, accessible reporting channels, and a firm zero-tolerance policy, Gardeners South Woodford reaffirms its commitment to eradicating modern slavery from our operations and supply chain. We will continue to act decisively and responsibly to protect vulnerable workers and to uphold ethical standards across every part of our business.