Modern Slavery Statement for Woolwich Storage
Woolwich Storage is committed to operating with integrity, fairness, and respect for human rights across every part of our business. This Modern Slavery Statement sets out the steps we take to prevent slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking within our operations and supply chain. We recognise that modern slavery can affect many sectors, including storage, facilities services, transport, cleaning, maintenance, and procurement. Accordingly, Woolwich Storage maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of exploitation.
Our Commitment and Governance
Responsibility for this statement sits with senior management, who oversee policies, risk controls, and compliance activity. We expect every employee, contractor, and business partner to uphold our values and act with honesty. The Woolwich Storage approach to modern slavery prevention is based on clear standards, regular oversight, and prompt action where concerns arise. We will not knowingly work with any supplier or individual involved in exploitative practices, and we require all teams to remain alert to signs of coercion, debt bondage, withheld documents, or unsafe working conditions.
To support this commitment, Woolwich Storage carries out due diligence on new and existing suppliers. This includes reviewing ownership, labour practices, subcontracting arrangements, and relevant certifications where appropriate. Higher-risk suppliers may be subject to enhanced scrutiny, including site visits, document checks, and follow-up questions about recruitment and workforce management. Supplier audits are an important part of our prevention strategy, helping us identify risks early and confirm that our partners meet acceptable ethical standards. Where issues are identified, we expect immediate corrective action, monitored timelines, and, if necessary, termination of the relationship.
Training, Awareness, and Risk Management
We provide proportionate training to employees whose roles involve procurement, supplier management, or contractor oversight. This training helps staff recognise indicators of modern slavery and understand how to respond appropriately. Woolwich Storage also considers risk when selecting suppliers, particularly where services involve low-paid, migrant, temporary, or agency workers. We aim to strengthen our controls by reviewing contract terms, asking suppliers to confirm compliance with labour laws, and ensuring that ethical expectations are embedded into business relationships.
Reporting concerns is essential to the effectiveness of this statement. Any employee, worker, supplier representative, or other stakeholder who suspects wrongdoing is encouraged to raise the matter immediately through our internal reporting channels. Reports may be made confidentially and will be handled sensitively, with appropriate protection against retaliation. Woolwich Storage takes all concerns seriously and will investigate them promptly, fairly, and discreetly. If a report suggests a potential breach of law or policy, we will take corrective measures, which may include suspending work, escalating the issue to senior management, or involving relevant authorities.
Our business also seeks to promote transparency by documenting due diligence outcomes, audit findings, and remediation actions. This record-keeping allows us to identify patterns, strengthen controls, and ensure that lessons learned are applied consistently. We recognise that effective prevention requires more than policy statements alone; it depends on practical systems, informed decision-making, and a culture where people feel safe to speak up.
Annual Review of this statement and our wider anti-slavery measures is conducted by Woolwich Storage at least once every twelve months. During this review, we assess supplier risk, update training needs, consider changes in legislation, and evaluate the effectiveness of our reporting and audit processes. Where improvements are needed, we will revise our procedures and implement stronger safeguards. This ongoing review supports continuous improvement and ensures that our commitment remains active, relevant, and measurable.
In addition to the steps above, Woolwich Storage expects its suppliers to apply the same ethical standards throughout their own operations and supply chains. We reserve the right to request evidence of compliance, investigate concerns, and require remediation where standards are not met. Our goal is to build business relationships that respect workers’ rights and uphold dignity at every stage.
This Modern Slavery Statement reflects the values of Woolwich Storage and our determination to prevent exploitation in all forms. By maintaining a zero-tolerance policy, conducting supplier audits, providing secure reporting channels, and completing an annual review, we reinforce our duty to act responsibly. We remain committed to continuously improving the Woolwich Storage anti-slavery framework and to ensuring that our operations support ethical and lawful working practices.