Modern Slavery Act Statement

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

This statement is made in accordance with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act) for the financial year ended 31 December 2016.

It sets out the steps that Connells Group (including Connells Residential, Sequence (UK) Limited and Connells Survey & Valuations Limited) has taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any parts of our business or supply chains.

Our business

Connells Group provides estate agency and property services in the UK through its subsidiaries. The Group combines residential sales and lettings with a range of consumer and corporate services including new homes, mortgage services, conveyancing, EPC provision, surveying, corporate lettings, asset management, land & planning, LPA receivers and auctions.

Our policies

Our Sustainable Procurement Policy is designed to manage modern slavery and human trafficking issues. It sets out our position of zero tolerance of modern slavery and human trafficking in any form in our business and supply chains. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in our business dealings and relationships, and to maintaining systems and controls designed to ensure modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in our business or across our supply chain.

Our Whistleblowing Policy provides a mechanism for our employees and others working in our supply chain to report suspected breaches of our policies.

Supply chain risk

Connells Group is not in an industry with a high risk of modern day slavery. A risk based approach has been adopted to review supply chains that fall within industries that may carry a higher risk of modern day slavery.

We are seeking further assurance that suppliers are adhering to our procurement standards through completion of a self-assessment in relation to their supply chain. Where suppliers are required to make their own statements in accordance with the Act, we will monitor the content of the statements published.

Due diligence processes

As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk, we carry out appropriate due diligence when engaging and working with suppliers, whilst also ensuring that the work undertaken is proportionate to the services provided and the risk involved.

Further steps

We will review our existing business and supply chains for the risks of slavery and human trafficking; review and revise as needed our procurement processes; and disseminate relevant information as part of awareness training to relevant parts of our business.

This statement was approved by the Connells Group Board on 15 February 2017 and signed by David Livesey (Connells Group, Group Chief Executive).