Modern Slavery Statement for the financial year 2020
This statement is made pursuant to Section 54, Part 6 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes the Modern Slavery Statement for the financial year ending 31 March 2020. It sets out the steps that the Priory Business Group PLC (Priory) have taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in our supply chains or in any part of our business.
Our business, structure and supply chains
With 33 employees Priory operates from a single National Distribution Centre selling and supplying a comprehensive range of standard packaging products to B2B customers via its website – www.PrioryDirect.co.uk as well as providing service & solutions to larger customers.
Most of the products sold by Priory are sourced and manufactured in the UK, with the balance imported from an international supplier base.
Priory has zero tolerance for modern slavery and human trafficking and is committed to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. As an equal-opportunities employer, Priory is committed to creating and ensuring a non-discriminatory and respectful working environment for its staff. All employment of staff by Priory is in the UK and is conducted in terms of UK law regarding employment and health & safety.
Our policies
Priory has reviewed and upgraded the following policies to ensure that we influence decisions around suppliers and employees on a day to day basis:
- Environmental Policy
- Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Employee Handbook
- Code of Ethics
- Supplier Code of Conduct
These policies and others are reviewed annually and with reference to legislative changes.
Due diligence process
Priory only works with reputable suppliers, most of whom have been partners for many years and Priory takes responsibility for ensuring its supply chain is free of slave labour.
As part of Priory’s initiative to identify and mitigate risk we have mapped our suppliers and performed a risk assessment to identify those with a higher risk of modern slavery in their business or supply chain. All preferred suppliers are required to sign Priory’s Supplier Code of Conduct which includes a statement of compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Members of Priory’s senior management also, where appropriate and practical, visit suppliers’ offices, both in the UK and abroad from time to time. This helps us to become familiar with how they operate and what safeguards they have in place to reduce, remove and prevent the use of slave or forced labour in their organisations and their supply chains.
Priory requires all International Suppliers to complete a self–evaluation form which will on a rotational basis be followed up by an audit.
To ensure an appropriate level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains, ongoing training is provided to Priory staff as relevant.
Our effectiveness in eliminating modern slavery
Heightened awareness within our product purchasing process and our supply chains has been achieved by ensuring that relevant suppliers have acknowledged and sign up to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which includes a statement of compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Statement Approval
This statement was approved by the Chief Executive Officer on 29 May 2020, for the financial year 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.
Bob Pitman
CEO & Founder