Introduction
This statement sets out Hills Garages (Woodford) Limited’s actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its business and to put in place steps that are aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its own business and its supply chains. This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
As part of the new and used car sales industry, the Company recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking.
The Company is absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities, and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.
Organisational structure and supply chains
This statement covers the activities of Hills Garages (Woodford) Limited.
- The business activities of the Company are new, and Toyota approved used car sales; new and used Lexus sales; and servicing and parts for Toyota and Lexus.
- The Company operates within the Essex area including Ilford, Epping and East London (Toyota and Lexus), and Southend and Chelmsford (Lexus).
- The Company’s main supplier is Toyota / Lexus in the UK in respect of both cars and parts. The Company also sub-contracts body shop work to smaller suppliers.
Countries of operation and supply
The Company currently operates in the UK only.
High-risk activities
The Company considers that it performs no activities which carry a high risk of slavery or human trafficking:
Responsibility
Responsibility for the Company’s anti-slavery initiatives is as follows:
- Policies:The Financial Director is responsible for putting in place and reviewing policies and the process by which they were developed.
- Riskassessments: The Financial Director is responsible for human rights and modern slavery risk analysis.
- Investigations/due diligence:The Financial Director is responsible for investigations and due diligence in relation to known or suspected instances of slavery and human trafficking.
- Training:The Financial Director is responsible for training directly within the Company to better understand and respond to any identified slavery and human trafficking risks.
Relevant policies
The Company 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 policyThe Company encourages all its workers, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of, the Company. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. The Company’s whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for workers to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation.
- Employee code of conductThe Company’s code makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the Company. The Company strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when operating abroad and managing its supply chain.
- Supplier code of conductThe Company’s main supplier is Toyota / Lexus. It has a contract in place to ensure that both parties adhere to the highest standards of ethics. Where the Company deal with other suppliers such as small bodyshops or repairers, they are required to demonstrate that they provide safe working conditions where necessary, treat workers with dignity and respect, and act ethically and within the law in their use of labour. The Company has introduced a supplier code of conduct, serious violations of which will lead to the termination of the business relationship; however, the majority of these smaller suppliers are sole traders. This will be uploaded to our BrightHR platform and be available to view in staff communal rooms.
- Recruitment/Agency workers policyThe Company uses specified Toyota approved, reputable recruitment agencies to source labour. Alternatively, it undertakes recruitment itself via word-of-mouth or the use of Recruitment Revolution which posts vacancies to a variety of websites or various recruitment agencies; however, applications are sent directly to the Company. The risks of slavery and human trafficking are therefore considered to be low in this area. Our HR administrator and managers are responsible for ensuring that all recruitment and terms and conditions of employment comply with statutory requirements, and that any agencies used are appropriately checked and commit to ethical standards.
Risk assessments
Risk assessments for Toyota / Lexus and our other suppliers are carried out weekly as part of our site walks.
We consider that the main areas of risk of modern slavery within our business and supply chain are as follows:
Actions we are taking
Right to Work in the UK checks
Right to work and settled status are conducted for all new employees.
Due diligence
The Company regularly reviews its existing suppliers; it tends to use the same ones on a regular basis. The Company will undertake due diligence when considering taking on new suppliers including:
- evaluating the modern slavery and human trafficking risks of each new supplier (if applicable); this would be as part of a more general human rights or labour rights assessment;
- conducting supplier audits or assessments through the Company’s own staff with a greater degree of focus on slavery and human trafficking if general risks are identified; and
- invoking sanctions against suppliers that fail to improve their performance in line with any action plan or supplier code of conduct introduced by the Company including the termination of the business relationship.
Existing suppliers
- All suppliers are issued with our Supplier’s Ethical Code of Conduct which they commit to, and which sets out key minimum standards relating to employment and workers. This will be extended to cover modern slavery. Our supplier contracts have been updated to require our suppliers to commit to taking clear steps to eliminate modern slavery, both within their own businesses and also within their own supply chain (including with anyone with whom they sub-contract).
- Suppliers are required to self-certify their compliance with the code, but contractual provisions also include that we may undertake ad hoc site visits, audits and regular monitoring etc (or to end the contract early, and without penalty to us, in the event of a breach). Contractual penalties may be awarded against any supplier for a breach of contract, or for incorrect self-auditing responses, questionnaires or the giving of incorrect information.
- Our main suppliers are requested to inform us of the steps that they are taking to eliminate modern slavery.
As noted previously, the majority of the smaller suppliers used are sole traders and therefore the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking is low.
Penalties for Breach
- If a supplier is found to be involved in any form of modern slavery, its contract will be terminated either immediately or on its due renewal date, depending on the severity of the breach. We may also report any suspicions of criminal activity to the police.
- If the breach is a minor one, we commit to helping that supplier by providing guidance and support for the affected workers as follows: such as offering help against victimisation
- If it is established that any employee has acted in breach of any of our policies, or is aware of, has condoned or failed to report any suspicion of modern slavery within our business or supply chains, they will be subject to our disciplinary procedure.
Incidents in the previous financial year
No incidents of modern slavery or human trafficking were reported to the Firm within the previous financial year.
Training
The Company requires all staff working with suppliers to complete training on modern slavery. The modern slavery training covers:
- how to assess the risk of slavery and human trafficking in relation to various aspects of the business, including resources and support available;
- how to identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking;
- what initial steps should be taken if slavery or human trafficking is suspected;
- how to escalate potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the relevant parties within the Company;
- what external help is available, for example through the Modern Slavery Helpline, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and “Stronger together” initiative;
- what messages, business incentives or guidance can be given to implement anti-slavery policies; and
- what steps the Company should take if suppliers or contractors do not implement anti-slavery policies, including their removal from the Company’s supply chains.
Awareness raising programme
As well as training staff, the Company raises awareness of modern slavery issues by having posters and leaflets available on display in prominent staff locations; these are also available to view on our BrightHR platform.
These booklets and posters explain to staff:
- the basic principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015;
- how employers can identify and prevent slavery and human trafficking;
- what employees can do to flag up potential slavery or human trafficking issues to the
relevant parties within the Company; and
- what external help is available, for example through the Modern Slavery Helpline.
Key Performance Indicators
- The following key performance indicators will be used to assess our progress in the year to 2025 towards eliminating modern slavery:
- Risk assessments for Toyota / Lexus and our other suppliers are carried out weekly as part of our sitewalks.
- all staff in sales and purchasing departments to be trained by December 2025
- number of complaints raised through our grievance or whistleblowing procedures
- number of suppliers who are terminated due to allegations of modern slavery
- 100% of suppliers signed up to our Code of Conduct
- number of suppliers audited during the year
- number of suppliers passing their annual onsite audit
- Right to work and settled status are conducted for all new employees.
Board approval
This statement was approved on 30 May 2025 by the Company’s CEO and Owner, who will review and update it annually.