Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Introduction

Peter Cooper Motor Group recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking.

The information included in this statement refers to the financial year 2023/24. The directors of Peter Cooper Motor Group are fully committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its business activities via policies and its culture of transparency and open communication.

Our Workforce

We have approximately 300 members of staff based in 7 locations across the south of England. Our staff are directly employed and are not in any category which is generally seen to be vulnerable to modern slavery in this country.

Our Supply Chain

We are committed to understanding modern slavery risks and continuously improving its practices to identify and eliminate any risk of slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all business relationships.

Our Policy on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

We aim to foster an atmosphere where fair employment practices and a safe workplace extend to every member of our workforce. Our company values encompass our expectations of ethical conduct for all employees.

Training

All of our employees undertake annual training on modern slavery and human trafficking to enable them to identify and raise any concerns within our supply chains.

Policy Commitments

• Ensure that recruitment and any other worker processes are under the control of competent staff members., who understand the importance of following the correct processes.
• Require recruitment agencies and any related organisations to adopt robust policies and procedures consistent with this policy. Accept that recruitment fees are a business expense and will not allow these to be paid by job applicants.
• Encourage workers to report cases of hidden third party labour exploitation, provide the means to do so and investigate and act on reports appropriately.
• Positively encourage and support employees and agency workers to report such exploitation which may be occurring within their communities.
• Provide appropriate guidance, relevant to individual roles, to enable employees to operate within company procedures with particular reference to the issue of hidden labour exploitation ensuring they are aware of how to act on and report any concerns.

Due Diligence

It is our intention to monitor ethical standards across the business on a regular basis. Peter Cooper Motor Group has not, to its knowledge, conducted any business with another organisation which has been found to have involved itself with modern slavery and we will never knowingly accept products or services from suppliers who exploit the people or natural resources within their environment.

Other Policies and Processes

Peter Cooper Motor Group has policies and processes in place which aim to minimise the risk of modern slavery and unethical behaviour. These include:

• Whistleblowing Policy - which encourages staff to report concerns including any related to modern slavery/trafficking and child or forced labour.
  
  
• Recruitment Process – following best practice when recruiting our staff and onboarding which includes carrying out the required right to work checks.

Adherence to Statement

Peter Cooper Motor Group takes a zero-tolerance approach to slavery and we are committed to ensuring that operations and supply chains are free from slavery or human trafficking. It is our intention for all employees to become familiar with our ethical standards and policies to ensure no slavery occurs within the business, and to encourage employees to report any potential breaches. Our statement is visible for all staff to view on the company’s shared drive and well as being provided during induction. We are committed to reviewing our internal processes at least annually to mitigate any risk of modern slavery or human trafficking.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, has been approved by the directors of Peter Cooper Motor Group and will be reviewed at least once an