Modern Slavery Statement

Introduction 

We support the objectives of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships. We aim to ensure that modern slavery, human trafficking or forced labour is not taking place anywhere in our business or in any of our supply chain. 

We are also committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains and we expect the same high standards from all our contractors, suppliers and business partners. 

Our structure 

We are a business that specialises in the contracting of site and engineering works for namely utility and home building companies.

Our main business activities include Utilities, Civil Engineering & House Building.

We directly employ approximately 65 people, and are committed to fair employment practices, following where applicable all employment laws, and we also invest in supporting the health and wellbeing of our team. 

Our supply chain

Our supply chain include building contractors, sub-contractors, product suppliers and professional consultants, site agents / site works contractors. Other suppliers to our business are professional services such as lawyers, accountants and other consultants. 

We have a stable supply chain allowing us to benefit from a significant number of long standing trading relationships with likeminded Subcontractors, Suppliers and Consultants who share our values. Honesty and transparency are the basis of these relationships. 

A number of our suppliers will not be of a size that trigger a requirement to comply with the obligation to produce a Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement under the Act but we nonetheless, take this seriously and ensure the appropriate measures and protocols are in place for the prevention of such crimes.

Steps taken during 2023

We have reviewed our practices, policies and procedures. We have identified the areas of risk and started to make changes to raise awareness and explore where further action is required. 

We have conducted a policy refresh for our business to raise awareness and understanding of the risks which will be rolled out in 2023 as we are now at a size where we have grown and there is a greater span of management in the business.

We have updated our Standard Purchase Order and Subcontractor Terms of Contract requiring trading partners to comply fully with the Act, with any breach resulting in the termination of all live contracts.

We have committed to highlighting the issue of modern slavery to our employees through internal communications in 2023. We have clarified that they are required to report concerns to a senior manager or director of the business, who will then investigate and where necessary take appropriate action on any concerns raised. 

Commitments for the coming year

We will establish an action plan, outlining what action is needed, with target dates for completion, which we will review on an ongoing basis.

We are committed to increasing our understanding of the risks of modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour in our business and our supply chains, and to their eradication if found by undertaking the following actions in the coming year:

1. We intend to raise further awareness within our team, through a company wide training plan across 2023 and we will also include this within our induction programme for new team members.   
2. Following the initial remote survey to our suppliers and subcontracts we will summarise the findings and identify next steps required to continue raising awareness and challenging high-risk areas. 

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our Group’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31st March 2024.

James McDermott

Managing Director