Scope

This policy applies to all persons working with Partners& or on our behalf in any capacity, including colleagues at all levels, directors, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives, and business partners.

Objectives

Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude, debt bondage, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a person’s liberty by another to exploit them for personal or commercial gain.

Our commitment

We are also committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery consistent with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Where applicable, Partners& will publish an annual Modern Slavery Statement and make it available on its website.

Related policies and procedures

This Modern Slavery Policy works in conjunction with the following workplace policies and procedures which can be found on Partners& intranet. You are encouraged to familiarise yourself with the policies detailed below. If you have any queries about this policy, please contact the Compliance team.

  • Whistleblowing Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Equality & Equal Opportunities Policy
  • Human Rights Policy
  • Speak-Up Platform – our anonymous, and secure two-way communications platform designed to empower colleagues to report concerns, provide feedback, or seek guidance.

Communication and awareness of this policy

Appropriate modern slavery awareness training will be provided to colleagues and enhanced training will be provided to those involved in recruitment, procurement, supplier oversight and risk management

We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in our business and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains. Our supply chains are limited, and we procure goods and services from a restricted range of the UK and overseas suppliers.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, we’re committed to creating and ensuring a non-discriminatory and respectful working environment for our staff. We want all our staff to feel confident that they can expose wrongdoing without any risk to themselves.

Our recruitment and people management processes are designed to ensure that all prospective colleagues are legally entitled to work in the UK and to safeguard colleagues from any abuse or coercion. We do not enter business with any organisation, which knowingly supports or is found to be involved in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

We expect the same high standards from all our contractors, suppliers, and other business partners, and as part of our contracting processes, we include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children, and we expect that our suppliers will hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.

Responsibility for this policy

The Board has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it and are given adequate and regular training on. The Directors and Managing Partners have primary and day-to-day responsibility for implementing this policy, monitoring its use and effectiveness, dealing with any queries about it, and auditing internal control systems and procedures to ensure they are effective in countering modern slavery.

Compliance with this policy

You must ensure that you read, understand, and comply with this policy. The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business is the responsibility of all those working for us or under our control. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this policy:

  • You must notify HR via HR@partnersand.com as soon as possible if you believe or suspect that a conflict with this policy has occurred or may occur in the future.
  • You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our business or supply chains of any supplier tier at the earliest possible stage.
  • If you believe or suspect a breach of this policy has occurred or that it may occur, you must notify your Line Manager or HR via HR@partnersand.com as soon as possible.
  • You should note that where appropriate, and with the welfare and safety of our people as a priority, we will give support and guidance to our suppliers to help them address coercive, abusive, and exploitative work practices in their own business and supply chains.

We aim to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats, or other unfavourable treatment connected with raising a concern. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform the HR manager immediately, alternatively raise you could raise a grievance (see the Disciplinary & Grievance Policy).

Breaches of this policy

Any colleague who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, which may result in the termination of your employment. We may terminate our relationship with other individuals and organisations working on our behalf if they breach this policy. This policy does not form part of any colleague’s contract of employment, and we may amend it at any time.

Version control

  • Version Number 3
  • Version date 01 April 2026
  • Business Area HR
  • Version expiry 31 March 2027