This statement sets out our actions to understand the potential modern slavery risks related to the business and to continue to ensure action is taken aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in the business and its supply chains.
We are part of Europe's largest vertically integrated dental business which has over 600 dental practices nationwide in addition to which we supply dental and other medical consumables, materials and services. Our ultimate parent company is Turnstone EquityCo 1 Limited which has its head office in England. The group has over 7,100 employees and operate in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We operate the following policies which set out our approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in its operations:
Anti-slavery Policy - We have an Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking Policy which is reviewed annually and reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains. The policy applies to all employees and persons working for us in any capacity. It explains the nature of Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking, the reason to operate the policy, and to whom the policy applies. It also clearly sets out how to report any concerns about Anti-slavery or Human Trafficking.
Whistleblowing policy - We encourage all our workers, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of, the organisation. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. Our whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for workers to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation. We have had no reports regarding Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking during the period covered by this statement.
Employee expectations - The organisation makes clear to employees the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the organisation. The organisation strives to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour.
As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk we have in place processes to:
To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply
chains and our business, we will continue to raise awareness of modern slavery issues for all relevant staff and in
particular:
We ensure all relevant staff are made aware of the basic principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and know how to flag any concerns to the business.
In addition, we continue to review supply chains and, where necessary, contact suppliers to ensure that they
agree to comply with the requirements of the Act and the Group's policy.
Following a review of the effectiveness of the steps we have taken to ensure there is no modern slavery or
human trafficking in our supply chains, we intend to take the following further steps:
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our
Group's slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31st March 2021.
Paul Adams
Chief Executive Officer
Date: 7th February 2020