The Modern Slavery Act 2015 Slavery & Human Trafficking Policy

Introduction

Guildcrest Estates Ltd remains committed to ensuring we trade ethically, source responsibly, and work to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking throughout our organisation and in our supply chain. This statement sets out the steps taken to identify the areas within the business that may be exposed to these risks and how we ensure they are as far as possible eliminated.

This statement, which is for the financial year ending 31 December 2024, is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 by Guildcrest Estates Ltd and on behalf of its operating subsidiaries.

Organisation Structure and Business

Guildcrest Estates Ltd is a leading independent estate & letting agency  in the South of England. Established since 2001, Guildcrest Estates Ltd has a wealth of experience in the property industry. With a head office located in Manston, Kent and a selection of branches locally and all operating under the brand of Guildcrest Estates. Guildcrest Estates Ltd employs over 10 members of staff.

Policy Statement – Our Ethos on Slavery and Human Trafficking

Guildcrest Estates Ltd is committed to combatting Slavery and Human Trafficking and takes responsibility for ensuring that its working practices comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. This Policy Statement 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 is not taking place anywhere within our Company or supply chain.

Due Diligence

After conducting an audit of our business and supply chain to assess areas of risk and likely exposure, the likelihood and severity of risk within the Estate Agency business has been found to be negligible. As part of the Company’s due diligence process, we continually monitor and adopt effective systems to ensure that Guildcrest Estates Ltd does not support or deal with any business or individual knowingly involved in Slavery and Human Trafficking.

Supply Chains

We operate a zero tolerance policy to Slavery and Human Trafficking. All Head Office and  Heads of Department and other staff responsible for procuring external goods and services, are dedicated to ensuring that suppliers and providers always adhere to our ethos and support our compliance to the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

All staff involved in the procurement of goods and services are required to establish that they are dealing with known and trusted supply chains and to discuss the potential risks relating to any new supply chains. All supply chains have been provided with a copy of this Policy and are required to confirm their compliance with our ethos.

Our suppliers include services to assist both our business and our customers. These comprise:

• catering and cleaning;
• suppliers of professional services (e.g. software & IT, legal, accountancy, insurance);
• vehicle suppliers;
• office services (fitters, cleaners, support services);
• telecoms providers, board/sign companies; and
• website aggregators, local authorities.

Recruitment

Our stringent HR policies and recruitment practices ensure compliance with The Modern Slavery Act 2015 and all other relevant employment legislation. Auditing practices are in place for checking that all employees have the right to work in the UK. We are continually reviewing our recruitment methods throughout the business to ensure transparency. Training for those employees who are engaged in recruitment and in sourcing and managing a supply chain, ensures that Slavery and Human Trafficking are not taking place within the organisation or its’ supply chain.

Awareness

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 is unlikely to be relevant to the majority of our branch based staff as they are not involved in the procurement of goods or services. Regardless, this policy is available to access on our internal server.

The staff involved or likely to be involved in the procurement of goods and services have been specifically provided with a copy of the Policy and instructed to ensure that their suppliers have been notified and have confirmed their compliance.

Reporting

If an employee has any concerns regarding a likely risk of, or actual breach of our Policy or the Legislation, this must be raised with Sarah Huckstep-Fagg, Director on 01843 272200.

Reporting can also occur in accordance with the Grievance Policy in general or with the Whistleblowing section of the Grievance Policy in particular.

All staff involved in the procurement of goods and services must contact Sarah Huckstep-Fagg, if they have any concerns about Slavery or Human Trafficking or if they are aware of or suspect a breach of The Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Further steps

During 2023 or 2024 we did not encounter any slavery or trafficking issues in our supply chain or in our business. We will continue throughout 2024 and 2025 to review our policies and procedures to further reduce as far as possible the risk of slavery and human trafficking anywhere in our supply chains or within the Group as a whole.

We remain committed to ensuring our staff understand the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking to our business and supply chains and that they are aware that such practices will not be tolerated.

Approval

This policy statement was approved by the Directors of Guildcrest Estates Ltd on 6th November 2024

Signed