Gardener Poplar Modern Slavery Statement

Gardener Poplar publishes this Modern Slavery Statement to reaffirm a clear and unwavering position: we operate a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking. This slavery and human trafficking statement explains our commitments, the actions we take across our operations and supply chain, and the ways we seek to prevent exploitation. Our anti-slavery stance is embedded in corporate governance and is central to Gardener Poplar’s values.

As part of our modern slavery and human trafficking statement, the policy applies to all employees, contractors, and suppliers. We require that business partners respect human rights and adhere to labour standards. Every contract includes obligations related to ethical labour practices and compliance with applicable laws. This modern slavery statement is not just a declaration — it is an operational requirement built into procurement, onboarding and contract management.

Gardener Poplar’s supplier expectations are explicit: suppliers must maintain transparent employment practices, provide safe working conditions, and ensure that no worker is subjected to coercion, withheld wages, or restricted movement. Our Modern Slavery Policy mandates due diligence before onboarding and ongoing monitoring. We reserve the right to terminate relationships where evidence of modern slavery is found or where remediation is impossible.

Supplier Audits, Risk Assessment and Remedial Action

We operate a risk-based supplier audit programme. Regular audits, both announced and unannounced, focus on high-risk regions and sectors. Audits examine recruitment practices, payroll records, working hours, living conditions and subcontractor networks. Where necessary, third-party auditors are engaged to provide independent verification. Our supplier audits are supplemented by worker interviews and document reviews to identify indicators of exploitation.

Audit outcomes inform corrective action plans. Typical measures include supplier training, changes to recruitment practices, repayment of illegal fees, and ongoing monitoring. If remediation is ineffective or a supplier refuses to comply, Gardener Poplar will take decisive action up to and including contract termination. Our approach is restorative where possible and decisive where required, balancing worker protection with accountability.

Key elements of our supplier due diligence include:

• Pre-contract risk screening and enhanced checks for high-risk suppliers;
• Periodic on-site audits and remote assessments;
• Mandatory corrective action plans with measurable deadlines;
• Continuous supplier training on labour standards and ethical recruitment.

Reporting Channels, Protection and Annual Review

Reporting channels are accessible to all workers, suppliers and stakeholders. Gardener Poplar maintains multiple avenues for raising concerns: secure, confidential reporting portals, an independent whistleblowing hotline, and structured escalation routes within our compliance function. Reports are treated seriously and investigated promptly. We provide protections for whistleblowers and prohibit retaliation against anyone who raises concerns in good faith.

We emphasise clear governance: senior management and the board receive regular updates on modern slavery risks and remediation progress. Internal responsibilities are defined, and staff receive mandatory training on recognizing signs of forced labour and exploitation. Our procurement teams use contractual clauses and monitoring tools to embed anti-slavery safeguards across sourcing activities for goods and services.

Gardener Poplar conducts an annual review of this modern slavery and human trafficking statement. The review assesses policy effectiveness, audit outcomes, supplier performance and incident responses. Findings lead to improvements in processes, enhanced training, and targeted engagement with high-risk suppliers. We publish an updated slavery and human trafficking statement each year that reflects lessons learned and demonstrates our sustained commitment.

In summary, Gardener Poplar’s anti-slavery programme is built on prevention, detection and response. Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery informs supplier selection, contract management and audit practices. We combine robust due diligence, multiple reporting channels, and an annual governance review to reduce the risk of exploitation across our operations and supply chain.

We will continue to refine this modern slavery statement and the associated Modern Slavery Policy in line with international standards and evolving risks. Our objective is continuous improvement: protecting workers, enforcing standards, and ensuring that Gardener Poplar’s supply chains are free from forced labour and human trafficking.

This slavery and human trafficking statement reflects Gardener Poplar’s ongoing pledge to uphold human dignity and labour rights across all our activities. We remain committed to transparency, rigorous supplier audits and accessible reporting channels, and we will report publicly on progress as part of our annual review cycle.