Modern Slavery Statement for St Johns Wood Removals

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the approach taken by St Johns Wood Removals to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our business operations and supply chains. We are firmly committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our relationships, and to implementing effective systems and controls to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in or around our organisation.

Our Business and Supply Chain

St Johns Wood Removals operates as a domestic and commercial removals and related services provider. Our activities include packing, storage, transportation, and ancillary services. We work with a range of suppliers and subcontractors, including vehicle and equipment providers, packaging material suppliers, storage facilities, and labour agencies. We recognise that certain areas of the removals and logistics sector can be vulnerable to labour exploitation, and we are committed to identifying and reducing these risks.

Zero-Tolerance Approach to Modern Slavery

We maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, including forced labour, debt bondage, servitude, child labour, and human trafficking. This applies to our own operations, our employees, subcontractors, and any organisation that forms part of our supply chain. We will not knowingly engage with any party that is involved in modern slavery or that fails to uphold equivalent standards. Any confirmed breach of this policy may result in the termination of contracts and, where appropriate, will be reported to the relevant authorities.

Policies and Governance

Our commitment to preventing modern slavery is embedded in our internal policies, including our ethical sourcing, recruitment, and health and safety procedures. We expect all staff to uphold our values of respect, fairness, and transparency. Managers are responsible for ensuring that their teams understand and comply with our modern slavery requirements, and that any concerns are escalated appropriately. We are working to ensure that modern slavery considerations are integrated into decision-making across procurement, operations, and human resources.

Supplier Standards and Audits

We expect our suppliers and subcontractors to operate to the same ethical standards that we set for ourselves. As part of our supplier onboarding and ongoing management processes, we require suppliers to confirm that they do not engage in any form of modern slavery and that they comply with applicable labour laws and regulations. Where we identify higher-risk relationships, we may conduct targeted audits or request additional documentation and assurances. These activities may include site visits, review of recruitment practices, and verification of right-to-work checks where appropriate.

We reserve the right to end relationships with any supplier or subcontractor that fails to meet our standards, refuses to cooperate with our audits, or is found to have engaged in modern slavery or related practices.

Training and Awareness

We recognise that awareness and vigilance are essential in preventing modern slavery. We seek to provide relevant training and guidance to staff, particularly those involved in recruitment, procurement, operations, and supplier management. This training covers the indicators of modern slavery, how to recognise potential risks, and the steps to take if a concern is identified.

Reporting Concerns and Whistleblowing

St Johns Wood Removals encourages all employees, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders to report any suspicions or concerns regarding modern slavery, whether within our operations or our supply chains. Concerns may relate to working conditions, recruitment practices, pay, documentation, or any behaviour that may suggest exploitation.

Reports can be made to line managers or senior management. We will treat all concerns seriously, investigate them promptly, and take appropriate action. We will not tolerate any form of victimisation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith, and we are committed to protecting the confidentiality of those who report issues wherever possible.

Risk Assessment and Continuous Improvement

We regularly assess the potential risks of modern slavery within our business and supply chains. This includes reviewing the nature of the services we provide, the geographic location of our activities, and the types of labour and materials used. Where higher-risk areas are identified, we prioritise deeper engagement, additional due diligence, and closer monitoring. We are committed to continuous improvement and to strengthening our controls over time.

Annual Review and Approval

This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed at least annually to ensure it remains effective, relevant, and aligned with legal requirements and best practice. As part of the review, we evaluate the effectiveness of our policies, supplier audits, training, and incident reporting mechanisms, and we update our approach where necessary.

This statement has been approved by the leadership of St Johns Wood Removals and applies to the current financial year. Future statements will reflect our ongoing efforts and any enhancements to our controls, processes, and training aimed at preventing modern slavery in all aspects of our business.