Last updated 24.7.2024
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) modern slavery and human trafficking statement (including our trading subsidiaries, RHS Enterprises Ltd and RHS Special Events Ltd) in relation to the financial year that ended 31 January 2024.
The RHS is a registered charity incorporated and governed by a Royal Charter and by Bye-laws approved by its members. The RHS has two active trading companies that donate their available profits under Gift Aid to the RHS, thereby assisting the funding of its non-commercial, charitable activities:
The RHS is committed to ensuring modern slavery is not present in its supply chains and will continue to develop policy and procedures to manage the way it obtain goods and services to keep its supply chains robust and free from modern slavery.
The RHS has a robust Procurement Policy and Procedure, which includes a due diligence checklist that suppliers are required to answer prior to contracting and commencing the supply of goods and/or services to ensure that suppliers have appropriate procedures and policies in place to identify, prevent and address any risks of modern slavery in their operations and their supply chains.
The RHS Supplier Code of Conduct includes ethical and environmental requirements and suppliers must be able to demonstrate compliance with the Code of Conduct. This includes specific prohibitions against the use of underage, forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude (whether adults or children). If a supplier is found to be in breach of the Code, the RHS may immediately terminate the contract or arrangement with the supplier.
In addition to the above, the RHS has an organisation-wide Modern Slavery Policy and Senior Managers continue to receive modern slavery training, including on the related requirements in the Procurement Policy and Procedure and Supplier Code of Conduct.
The RHS continues to operate within the UK only and ensures that all of its workers are eligible to work in the UK. The majority of workers are employed directly; where on occasion agency workers are utilised, the same checks are undertaken by the agency.
The RHS ensures it pays all RHS staff at or above the National Living Wage. It has clear policies on ‘grievance’ and ‘whistleblowing’ together with an employee consultation group called RHS Voices, through which employees can openly raise matters of concern. The Employee Assistance Programme also provides staff with a secure way of seeking advice about any modern slavery or human trafficking issues personally affecting them or their families.
Approved by RHS Council on 10 July 2024 and the Boards of RHS Enterprises Ltd and RHS Special Events Ltd on 10 July 2024.
Signed by Clare Matterson, Director General
