Ethical Trading and Labour Standards

MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT

Introduction from John S Bloor - Chairman

Bloor Homes is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all its business dealings.  This statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.  It also details the further steps we intend to take over the next 12 months. 

Our structure and supply chains

Bloor Homes is one of the largest privately owned house builders in the UK and we build approximately 4000 new homes each year.  We have over 1200 employees spread over our 9 regional offices.  The Group has its Head Office at Measham, Derbyshire.

In common with other house builders and land developers, our supply chain consists of a diverse range of third-party suppliers of goods and services, contractors and sub-contractors on whom we rely to deliver our projects.  With respect to the purchasing of goods and materials, we have a centralised procurement team, who procure housebuilding materials through over 100 group materials agreements.

Modern Slavery Risk areas and Risk Assessment

We monitor the risk of modern slavery in our supply chains on a regular basis.  Our assessment of the key areas where we are at heightened exposure to a risk of modern slavery in our supply chain are: 

• agency and temporary labour;

• sub-contractor relationships;

• material suppliers.

Based on our 2023/24 risk assessment, although we acknowledge that the construction sector is recognised as being at high risk of modern slavery and trafficked labour, we consider that Bloor Homes is at low risk of modern slavery and trafficked labour in its own business (employees).  Our risk assessment is also that we are at low risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains. 

Bloor Homes’ policies

We have adopted a number of internal policies which require that we conduct our business in an ethical and transparent manner. These include:

• An Anti-bribery policy which sets strict limits for the giving or receiving of gifts or hospitality.

• A Recruitment policy which includes the requirement to conduct eligibility checks for the right to work in the UK.  Furthermore, we only use specified, reputable employment agencies to source labour.

• A Whistleblowing policy which encourages all our staff, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chain of Bloor Homes to our HR Department.

Further steps we plan to take

In the next 12 months, Bloor Homes intends to:

• Monitor the Ethical Labour Policy and continue to issue it to any suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors with a request that they confirm they act in accordance with our Ethical Labour Policy. We will continue to carry out an annual self-certification process with our supply chain to ensure ongoing compliance with our Ethical Labour Policy. 

Raising awareness

As/when we consider it appropriate, we will raise awareness of modern slavery issues by circulating emails and notices to all staff.

This statement was approved by the Board of Bloor Homes on 09 September 2024.

 

Signed: John S Bloor - Chairman