Holland & Sherry Ltd Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
This statement is made pursuant to the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It sets out the steps that Holland & Sherry Ltd has undertaken and is continuing to undertake to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place within our business or supply chain. This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.
Holland & Sherry Ltd has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery, which we consider to include different types of exploitation such as forced labour, servitude, child labour and human trafficking. The Company is committed to acting in an ethical manner with integrity and transparency in all business dealings. We are also committed to putting in place effective systems and controls to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place within our business and supply chain.
Our Company
Holland & Sherry Ltd is a wool merchant. The Company (and subsidiaries) currently has employees based in 12 countries and we also work closely with suppliers across the world. We believe that our biggest exposure to modern slavery risks lies in our product supply chains in Nepal and India. Our activities relating to assessing and managing our modern slavery risks accordingly focus on our key suppliers in these geographic regions.
Our Policies
We operate a number of policies designed to ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner. These policies include:
Employee code of conduct: The Company’s code makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the company. The company strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when operating abroad and managing its supply chain.
Whistleblowing policy: The Company encourages all its workers, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of, the company. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. The organisation's whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for workers to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation. Employees, customers or others who have concerns can use our confidential disclosure form.
Recruitment Policy: We carry out identity and eligibility to work checks on all new employees of Holland & Sherry Ltd to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.
Supplier Code of Conduct: The Company is committed to ensuring that its suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethics. Suppliers are required to demonstrate that they provide safe working conditions where necessary, treat workers with dignity and respect, and act ethically and within the law in their use of labour. The organisation works with suppliers to ensure that they meet the standards of the code and strive to improve their worker's working conditions.
Audit & Evaluating: The organisation undertakes due diligence when considering taking on new suppliers, and regularly reviews its existing suppliers. The organisation's due diligence and reviews include:
Training
The organisation requires all staff working within the company to complete training on modern slavery.
The organisation's modern slavery training covers:
Assessment of Effectiveness
The company is absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its business activities, and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.
We recognise that our commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery is a continual journey and we will continue to review and, where necessary, modify our processes on a regular basis.
This statement has been approved by the Board of Directors of Holland & Sherry Ltd
Signed by:
Name: Stephen Dobson
Designation: CFO
Date: 21 February 2024
