Local Gardener Modern Slavery Statement

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the commitment of Local Gardener to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking across our operations and supply chain. The Local Gardener group, the local gardener team and colleagues working under the LocalGardener name maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of forced labour, involuntary servitude, debt bondage, or human trafficking.

We believe that every person deserves to work free from coercion and exploitation. This statement applies to all employees, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers engaged by Local-Gardener and sets out the steps we take to identify, mitigate and remedy modern slavery risks. It complements our existing policies on ethics, procurement and safeguarding.

Our obligations are supported by a clear set of expectations for suppliers and partners. We require vendors to comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct which includes commitments to fair wages, freedom of movement and safe working conditions. We apply risk-based due diligence and carry out compliance checks where necessary to verify adherence to these standards.

Policies, Due Diligence and Supplier Audits

Local Gardener operates a systematic due diligence process to assess and address modern slavery risks. Our approach includes supplier questionnaires, contractual clauses and periodic audits. We prioritise higher-risk suppliers for deeper review and verification.

Audit activities for the local gardener supply chain include site visits, document reviews and worker interviews where permitted. Key elements of our supplier audit program include:

• Risk assessment and mapping of suppliers by geography and service type;
• On-site or remote audits focusing on employment conditions, hours, pay and recruitment practices;
• Corrective action plans with clear timelines where non-compliance is found.

We reserve the right to terminate contracts for serious breaches of our anti-slavery requirements. For less severe issues, we work collaboratively with suppliers to implement remediation actions and to monitor progress until compliance is restored.

Reporting Channels and Worker Protection

All individuals who work with or for Local Gardener are encouraged to report concerns. We provide multiple safe reporting channels for staff and suppliers, including anonymous reporting where appropriate. Reports are investigated promptly and with confidentiality. Workers who report potential modern slavery cases will be protected from retaliation.

To facilitate transparency, our reporting framework includes:

• Internal reporting to designated compliance officers;
• Anonymous channels for whistleblowers and affected workers;
• Clear processes for referral to relevant authorities and support organisations when exploitation is suspected.

We emphasise training for staff and contractors so they can recognise signs of exploitation and know how to act. Training covers recruitment practices, worker interviews, and indicators of forced labour. The Local Gardener team conducts regular awareness sessions.

Accountability sits with senior management and the board. Our leadership maintains oversight of modern slavery risks and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. We use performance indicators and audit results to track improvement and to inform decision-making.

Local Gardener commits to continuous improvement and collaboration with suppliers, peers and stakeholders. Where issues are identified, we seek to remediate promptly and to support affected individuals. We also seek to share learning across the sector to strengthen collective action against exploitation.

We will review this statement and our practices annually to ensure they remain effective and proportionate to identified risks. The annual review will consider changes in our operations, supply chains and the wider regulatory environment and will guide updates to our policies, supplier audits, reporting channels and training programmes.

By publishing this statement, Local Gardener reiterates its unwavering commitment to eradicating modern slavery from our business and supply chain. We operate a zero-tolerance policy and will continue to take robust, proportionate steps to protect workers and promote ethical practices across every part of our operation.