Modern Slavery Statement for Man With a Van Richmond upon Thames

This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the approach of Man With a Van Richmond upon Thames to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in our business operations and supply chains. We are committed to operating ethically, transparently and with integrity in all our relationships, and to putting effective systems and controls in place to safeguard people from exploitation.

Our Zero-Tolerance Policy

Man With a Van Richmond upon Thames has a zero-tolerance policy towards modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, child labour and all forms of exploitation. This applies to every aspect of our business, including direct employment, subcontracted services and the procurement of goods and services that support our operations.

We expect all employees, contractors, agency workers and suppliers to comply with this policy as a condition of working with us. Any suspected breach will be treated seriously and may result in termination of contracts, reporting to relevant authorities and other appropriate actions.

Our Business and Supply Chain

We provide man and van, removals and related logistics services in and around Richmond upon Thames. Our supply chain includes, but is not limited to, vehicle hire and maintenance providers, fuel suppliers, packaging and equipment providers, cleaning and waste disposal services, and labour and subcontracted transport partners.

We recognise that certain sectors and geographies can present higher risks of modern slavery. We aim to identify, assess and manage these risks through proportionate and practical controls, recognising our responsibility to respect human rights and protect vulnerable individuals.

Supplier Standards and Audits

We are committed to working only with suppliers and subcontractors who share our values and demonstrate clear respect for human rights. As part of our onboarding and ongoing supplier management processes, we:

Require suppliers and subcontractors to confirm that they do not use forced, bonded or involuntary labour, and that they comply with all applicable labour, immigration and health and safety laws.

Include clauses in relevant contracts that prohibit modern slavery and require cooperation with any investigations or audits we undertake.

Conduct proportionate checks and assessments on higher-risk suppliers, including requesting evidence of their own modern slavery policies, worker protections and due diligence processes.

Reserve the right to carry out audits or site visits of selected suppliers and subcontractors, either announced or unannounced, to verify compliance with our expectations and legal requirements.

If a supplier fails to meet our standards, we will work with them to implement corrective actions where appropriate. Persistent non-compliance or serious concerns may result in the termination of the business relationship.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

We encourage a culture of openness where concerns about modern slavery or unethical behaviour can be raised without fear of detriment. All employees, workers, contractors and suppliers are expected to report any suspicions or evidence of modern slavery connected to our operations or supply chains.

Concerns can be raised directly with management or through our internal reporting processes. Reports will be treated confidentially as far as reasonably possible and will be investigated promptly, fairly and sensitively. We will not tolerate victimisation or retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith.

Where appropriate, and in line with legal and safeguarding obligations, we may escalate matters to external authorities or specialist organisations to ensure that those affected receive appropriate protection and support.

Training and Awareness

We recognise that preventing modern slavery requires understanding and vigilance. We provide guidance and awareness-raising for relevant staff, particularly those involved in recruitment, procurement and supplier management, so that they can recognise warning signs of exploitation and know how to respond.

We also encourage open dialogue within our teams about ethical practices, respect for workers and the importance of human rights in all aspects of our work.

Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement

We are committed to continually improving our approach to tackling modern slavery. We monitor the effectiveness of our measures through ongoing supplier assessments, incident reviews and feedback from staff and partners.

This Modern Slavery Statement is reviewed annually by the leadership of Man With a Van Richmond upon Thames to ensure it remains accurate, effective and aligned with our values and legal responsibilities. As part of this annual review, we consider changes in legislation, evolving best practice, and any lessons learned from our own operations or the wider sector.

Following each review, we update our policies, procedures and training where necessary and communicate any significant changes to our employees and key suppliers. By maintaining a clear, consistently enforced stance on modern slavery, we aim to contribute to a safer, fairer and more responsible removals and logistics industry.