We work collaboratively with our clients on cross-functional change and transformation programmes, which deliver long-term value and sustainable outcomes. Our approach is to co-create solutions with our clients, rather than working outside-in.
Modern slavery is often a hidden crime involving one person denying another person their freedom. It includes slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking. To tackle these crimes, the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Modern Slavery Act) was introduced. The Modern Slavery Act consolidates and clarifies modern slavery offences; toughens penalties and prosecution; and introduces greater support and protection for victims. Details of the offences covered by the Modern Slavery Act are available at legislation.gov.uk This guidance focuses on the concept of forced or compulsory labour because that is the form of modern slavery which suppliers are most likely to come across.
This Act makes certain offences under the Modern Slavery Act grounds for the mandatory exclusion of suppliers from public procurements. The Modern Slavery Act implemented measures which are directly related to businesses and their supply chains. Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act requires companies with an annual turnover above £36 million, and carrying out a business, or part of a business, in the UK, to prepare a Modern Slavery Statement, also known as a Transparency in Supply Chains (TISC) statement, each year. The Home Office has provided guidance for relevant businesses to help them do this.
While there are laws in place which punish offences of modern slavery, the government has the opportunity to use its buying power to help mitigate the risks of modern slavery occurring in its supply chain by adopting processes and procedures, in both procurement and supplier management. On 26 March 2020, the UK became the first country to publish a Modern Slavery Statement setting out the steps the government was taking to identify and prevent modern slavery in its own supply chains.
We support our clients on end-to-end procurement transformation and value delivery. We love working with passionate teams and people who are looking to make a step-change in their procurement function and leverage their data. Bringing multi-functional capabilities alongside change expertise, we deliver long-term sustainable value, transforming procurement strategy into tangible outcomes, working across all industries from SMEs to large multinationals.
