Whitecroft Lighting Limited Statement Under the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015

Introduction

This statement sets out Whitecroft Lighting'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 2022 to 31 December 2022.

As part of details of industry, we recognise that we have a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking and we continue to take our responsibility very seriously during the coronavirus pandemic.

Our organisation 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

Whitecroft Lighting is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of commercial lighting.  From our 10,000 square metre design and manufacturing facility we provide tailored lighting solutions for commercial, industrial , healthcare, education and residential applications, mainly for the home market.   Our manufacturing capability is upwards of 600,000 luminaires per year, and our continued investment in the latest technologies has brought LED manufacturing in-house.  As part of the Fagerhult group we are part of a global network of lighting manufacturers, with over 4900 employees in 30 countries worldwide.

Countries of Operation and Supply

Whitecroft Lighting Limited operates solely within the United Kingdom.

Responsibility

We operate a number of internal policies to ensure that we are conducting business in an ethical and transparent manner. These include:

1. Social Responsibility Statement.  This policy sets out the company’s stance on modern slavery and explains how employees can identify any instances of this and where they can go for help.

2. Recruitment Process. We operate a robust recruitment process, including conducting eligibility to work in the UK checks for all employees to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.

3. Dignity at Work Policy.  We operate a dignity at work policy to ensure a working environment free from any unlawful and unfair discrimination, victimisation, harassment, and intimidation and bullying and believe that all people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

Supplier/Procurement Code of Conduct

Whitecroft Lighting Limited maintains an approved supplier base with over 200 suppliers, which includes Fagerhult Group suppliers located in China and Turkey.

We are committed to ensuring that its suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethics. Suppliers 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. We work with suppliers to ensure that they meet the standards of the code and improve their worker's working conditions. However, serious violations of our supplier code of conduct will lead to the termination of the business relationship.

Our anti-slavery policy forms part of our contract with all suppliers and they are required to confirm that no part of their business operations contradicts this policy and that they have taken steps to eradicate human trafficking and slavery from their business. In 2022 we continue to enforce the completion of the supplier questionnaire which asks suppliers to demonstrate they have an Ethical Trading Policy on prevention of Child Labour, Human Trafficking, and Modern Slavery in place. In addition all suppliers are made aware that we may terminate their contract at any time should any instances of modern slavery come to light.

Training

We regularly conduct training for our procurement/buying teams so that they can identify and understand the signs of modern slavery and what to do if they suspect that it is taking place within our supply chain.

Approval for this statement

This statement was approved by the Board of Directors February 2022.