Modern Slavery Statement — Gardeners Willesden

Gardeners Willesden and the wider team of Willesden gardeners state unequivocally that forced labour, human trafficking and any form of modern slavery have no place in our business. This Modern Slavery Statement explains the commitments of the Gardeners of Willesden to prevent exploitation across our operations and supply chains, describing our zero-tolerance policy, supplier audits, reporting channels and annual review processes.

Our zero-tolerance policy is clear: all staff, contractors and partners engaged by the Gardeners Willesden team must operate within the law and with respect for human rights. We enforce standards through robust contracts, clear expectations and mandatory adherence to labour and employment regulations. Any breach of these requirements triggers immediate investigation and proportionate action, up to and including termination.

As part of our preventative measures, Willesden gardeners undertake regular supplier risk assessments and audits. Key elements of our supplier audit process include:

• Verification of working conditions and hours;
• Review of recruitment fees, contracts and proof of right-to-work;
• On-site inspections and third-party verification where needed;
• Remediation plans and follow-up checks for identified issues.

Reporting channels and whistleblowing

Gardeners Willesden provides multiple safe channels for reporting concerns about modern slavery. We encourage staff, suppliers and members of the public to raise issues through any available route. Reports are treated seriously, investigated promptly and handled confidentially in accordance with our policies.

Reports may be submitted through internal line managers, designated safeguarding officers or our anonymous alert mechanisms. We protect whistleblowers from retaliation and ensure that individuals who raise concerns in good faith receive support. The Gardeners Willesden leadership reviews all reports and ensures corrective measures are implemented where necessary.

Training and awareness form an essential part of our approach. All employees and key suppliers receive regular training on recognising signs of exploitation, understanding their responsibilities and following reporting procedures. Our procurement teams, in particular, are trained to assess risk in labour supply chains and to apply contract clauses that prohibit modern slavery.

Due diligence and supplier engagement

We apply a risk-based due diligence process to our suppliers, contractors and subcontractors. The Gardeners Willesden procurement policy requires enhanced checks for higher-risk categories, such as seasonal labour, subcontracted landscaping services and cleaning suppliers. We require evidence of compliance and work collaboratively with suppliers to improve standards.

Supplier audits are scheduled and unscheduled, combining document review, interviews and site visits. Where non-compliance is found, we require a time-bound remediation plan. Persistent failure to meet our standards will result in suspension or termination of the supplier relationship. This practical enforcement of expectations demonstrates our strong stance against modern slavery across the Willesden gardeners network.

Accountability and continuous improvement underpin our statement. The Board and senior leadership of Gardeners Willesden receive regular reports on audits, incidents and training uptake. We publish this statement to communicate our policies and to hold ourselves accountable. Our commitment is firm: we will take decisive action wherever exploitation is identified, and we will support affected individuals as necessary.

We review and update this Modern Slavery Statement annually to reflect evolving risks, changes in our operations and lessons learned from incidents and audits. The annual review ensures that the Gardeners Willesden approach remains effective and aligned with legal obligations and best practice. It includes re-evaluation of supplier risk profiles, improvements to reporting channels, and refreshed training materials.

In summary, Gardeners Willesden, the Willesden gardeners collective and our partners are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. Through ongoing supplier audits, robust reporting channels, training and an annual review cycle, we strive to prevent exploitation in our business and supply chains.

We will continue to strengthen our systems, deepen supplier engagement and maintain transparency so that our work across Willesden and beyond reflects our unwavering commitment to ethical labour practices.