Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

HBS have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and are fully committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our corporate activities. HBS are also committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains, consistent with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We all have a responsibility to be alert to the risks, however small, in our business and in the wider supply chain.

This statement sets out HBS Group Southern actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to business and to ensure steps are maintained to prevent slavery and human trafficking.

Our business

HBS Group Southern is a leading plumbing and electrical contractor with an annual turnover circa £20 million (2021). We are a leading contractor to local and national housing developers, as well as PLC companies. HBS has one office based at Whiteley, Hampshire, servicing contracts across the South of England, with national framework agreements for M&E.

Our supply chains and supplier adherence to our values

The relationship with all our suppliers has been established over many years and is built upon mutually beneficial factors, where HBS has close and personal links and contact with the owners or directors, typically reflecting the fact that we partner with small and medium sized operations in the main.

As and when HBS have new contractors or suppliers come on-board we pre-qualify any new firm through a series of diligence, relating to company performance, HS&E compliance, and references from other customers to establish that they are suitable.

To date HBS have not been made aware of any human trafficking / slavery activities within the supply chain but if any were highlighted to us then HBS would act immediately in accordance with our legal and moral obligations.

Our policies on slavery and human trafficking

HBS are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. Our Anti-Slavery Policy reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains.

Relevant policies

The organisation operates the following policies that describe its approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in its operations:

• Whistleblowing policy. The organisation encourages all its workers, customers, and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of, the organisation. 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.

• Employee code of conduct. The organisation’s code makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the organisation. The organisation strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when operating abroad and managing its supply chain.

• Identify and assess potential risk areas when considering taking on new suppliers and regularly review our existing supply chains
• Mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains.
• Monitor potential risk areas in our supply chains
• Protect whistle blowers

Training

HBS have zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking. To maintain awareness and ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our business our Anti-Slavery Policy is available on our computer system.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes HBS Group Southern slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending March 2022.