Modern Slavery Statement
Introduction
This statement is made pursuant to s54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 for the financial year ending 28 December 2023 and sets out the steps that Hand Picked Hotels Limited (“HPH”) has taken and is continuing to take to ensure that modern slavery or human trafficking is not taking place within its business or supply chain.
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 creates offences in respect of slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking ("Modern Slavery"). HPH are committed to combatting all forms of Modern Slavery.
HPH is committed to operating with integrity and accountability, both within its organisation and in all relationships with suppliers and other partners.
About Hand Picked Hotels Limited
HPH is a privately owned company owning and operating hotel businesses and which has its head office in Sevenoaks, England.
The group consists of 21 hotels in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney. The business relies on the services of around 2000 people. As a full service hotel operator, its activities cover, food and beverage production and service, guest reception services, housekeeping, health club and spa services delivery, administrative and accounting functions. The supply chain covers both central supply chains fully administered centrally, and hotel based supply chains which are overseen from the centre.
HPH recognises that Modern Slavery includes the risks that arise from the use of foreign and migrant labour, and from supply chains both in the UK and overseas.
Policies and procedures
The existing policies and procedures of HPH which assist in combatting Modern Slavery include:
• Modern Slavery Policy – This 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 are not taking place anywhere in our supply chains
• Code of conduct for Suppliers - issued to all suppliers and contractors, the Code requires positive confirmation of compliance.
• Recruitment – HPH conducts robust checks on any new employee including eligibility to work in the UK to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will
• Whistleblowing Policy – HPH has a whistleblowing policy so that all colleagues can raise any concerns that they might have without fear of reprisals
• Central register of recruitment agents and supplier contracts.
Due Diligence
HPH will only work with suppliers who formally confirm full compliance with its policies and exhibit due diligence in monitoring their own supply chains. The demonstration of this compliance is of extreme importance, and is verified by risk assessment through random visits to supplier premises, and regular review of suppliers, their policies and by monitoring their on-line and media reputations.
Key Performance Indicators
• Number of incidents or complaints of slavery and human trafficking reported under HPH’s Whistleblowing Policy or otherwise
• Number of colleagues trained on Anti-Slavery and Whistleblowing Policies
• Remedial actions required as a consequence of incidents or complaints recorded
Training for Staff
Training is conducted for colleagues as part of a new starter’s induction to ensure an understanding of the signs of modern slavery and to explain whistleblowing. On-line training modules have been developed and have been rolled out throughout the business, allowing us to monitor the compliance and understanding of colleagues and managers regarding Modern Slavery much more easily. The topic is reviewed during regular HR team conference calls.
HPH has a dedicated compliance team, which consists of involvement from the following departments:
• Legal/Commercial
• Human Resources
• Procurement
Future Steps
In the forthcoming year, HPH intends to take further additional steps including:
• Expanding due diligence on contractors, subcontractors and suppliers
• Regular reviews to monitor the effectiveness of the compliance programme
This statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 22 October 2024.
Rebecca Simonds
Chief Financial Officer
Hand Picked Hotels Limited
