Modern Slavery

Committed to conducting all business activities ethically, transparently, and with integrity

Our Commitment

William Beaumont LLP is committed to conducting all business activities ethically, transparently, and with integrity. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery, forced labour, servitude, child labour, debt bondage, and human trafficking in all forms.

We recognise that modern slavery remains a significant risk within the construction, property, facilities management, and wider supply chain sectors. We are committed to identifying, preventing, and mitigating these risks within our own operations and throughout our supply chain.

Although William Beaumont LLP may not be legally required to publish a statement under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, we voluntarily publish this statement as part of our commitment to responsible business practices and the protection of human rights.

Our Business

William Beaumont LLP is a UK limited liability partnership providing property, construction, development, and associated business services.
We work with clients, suppliers, consultants, contractors, subcontractors, and professional advisers throughout the United Kingdom and expect every organisation we engage to uphold the same high ethical standards that we apply within our own business.

Supply Chain

Our supply chain includes, but is not limited to:

• Principal contractors
• Specialist subcontractors
• Self-employed tradespeople
• Labour agencies
• Plant and equipment suppliers
• Material manufacturers and merchants
• Professional consultants
• Cleaning and facilities management providers
• Office suppliers
• IT and technology providers
• Professional service providers

 

We acknowledge that labour-intensive sectors may present an increased risk of modern slavery and therefore require greater scrutiny.

Subcontractor Management

William Beaumont LLP recognises that effective subcontractor management is fundamental to preventing modern slavery.

Before appointing subcontractors, we seek to ensure that they:

• Operate legitimate and properly registered businesses.
• Comply with UK employment legislation and the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
• Pay workers lawfully and in accordance with applicable legislation.
• Maintain appropriate right-to-work verification procedures.
• Prohibit forced labour, child labour, human trafficking, and debt bondage.
• Provide safe and lawful working conditions.
• Do not retain workers' passports, identity documents, or personal possessions.
• Allow workers to leave employment freely after giving appropriate notice.
• Permit workers to raise concerns without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

 

Where appropriate, subcontractors may be required to provide evidence of:

• Public liability and employers' liability insurance.
• Health and Safety policies.
• Modern Slavery policies.
• Workforce competency and training.
• Company registration and tax status.
• Right-to-work procedures.

 

Use of labour agencies

William Beaumont LLP reserves the right to decline appointments or terminate contractual relationships where significant concerns regarding labour standards or ethical conduct are identified.

Where labour agencies are utilised, William Beaumont LLP expects agencies to:

• Operate legally within the UK.
• Verify workers' identities and right to work.
• Ensure workers are recruited voluntarily.
• Never charge recruitment fees that could lead to debt bondage.
• Pay workers correctly and on time.
• Comply fully with UK employment legislation.

 

Supplier Due Diligence

When engaging suppliers and subcontractors, we adopt a risk-based approach which may include:

• Verification of company registration.
• Review of financial stability.
• Review of insurance documentation.
• Assessment of Health and Safety arrangements.
• Review of ethical and employment policies.
• Consideration of geographical and sector-specific risks.
• Ongoing performance monitoring throughout the contract.
• Higher-risk suppliers may be subject to enhanced due diligence before appointment.

 

Site Monitoring

Where William Beaumont LLP manages construction or maintenance projects, we seek to ensure that subcontractors operate in accordance with our ethical standards.
Monitoring activities may include:

• Site inspections.
• Workforce identification checks.
• Verification of right-to-work documentation where appropriate.
• Review of subcontractor compliance records.
• Monitoring welfare facilities.
• Investigation of concerns raised by workers or site management.

 

Any credible concerns regarding exploitation or forced labour will be investigated promptly.

Contractual Requirements

Where appropriate, contracts with suppliers and subcontractors may require them to:

• Comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
• Maintain appropriate employment records.
• Permit reasonable compliance monitoring.
• Notify William Beaumont LLP of any investigation relating to modern slavery or labour exploitation.
• Ensure equivalent standards are applied throughout their own supply chains.

 

Serious breaches may result in suspension of works or termination of the contract.
Policies

William Beaumont LLP maintains policies that support ethical business practices, including:

• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy
• Ethical Procurement Policy
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Whistleblowing Policy
• Recruitment and Employment Policy
• Data Protection Policy

 

These policies are reviewed periodically to ensure continued compliance with current legislation and best practice.

Reporting Concerns

Employees, subcontractors, suppliers, agency workers, consultants, and members of the public are encouraged to report any concerns regarding suspected modern slavery or labour exploitation.
Reports will be investigated confidentially and fairly.

William Beaumont LLP will not tolerate retaliation against anyone raising a genuine concern in good faith.

Training and Awareness

Individuals involved in procurement, project management, contract administration, and subcontractor management are encouraged to receive appropriate awareness training covering:

• Indicators of modern slavery.
• Labour exploitation risks within construction and property sectors.
• Appropriate reporting procedures.
• Responsibilities under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

 

Continuous Improvement

William Beaumont LLP is committed to continually improving its systems for identifying and managing modern slavery risks.

This includes:

• Reviewing supplier approval procedures.
• Improving subcontractor monitoring.
• Strengthening contractual compliance requirements.
• Reviewing internal policies.
• Keeping abreast of legislative changes and industry best practice.

 

Our objective is to ensure that ethical business practices remain embedded throughout every stage of our operations.

Approval

This statement has been approved by the Members of William Beaumont LLP and will be reviewed annually.