Modern Slavery Statement 2024/25

This statement is in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It outlines the steps taken by British Bakels to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in its business and supply chains.

Introduction

British Bakels employs around 200 people and are committed to upholding the rights of workers. Modern slavery and human trafficking are unacceptable practices and we are committed to eliminating the risk of it in our organisation and our supply chains

Our Business

British Bakels are a technically based bakery ingredients company with nearly 75 year’s knowledge, experience and expertise in the bakery industry. Our core objective is to assist our customers develop, produce and sell (more) bakery products. Bakels work within three main sectors of the food industry;

• In-store bakery (supermarket)
• Industrial Bread and Confectionery Manufacturers
• Craft and Wholesale customers

Our Policies

British Bakels endorses and is committed to ethical trading and adheres to the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code. Bakels are a member of SEDEX (Supplier Ethical

Exchange Data) and have completed the self-audit questionnaire. We have a zero tolerance approach towards the use of forced, bonded or involuntary labour in our own operation. There are a number of key policies that set out the requirements of our labour standards, these are signed off at Director level. These include the following:

• Bakels Ethical Trading Policy Statement – sets out the ethical code that we operate by
• Our Equal Opportunities Policy
• Our Behaviour policy
• Our Whistle Blowing Policy
• Our Anti-corruption and Bribery Policy
• Bakels Standard Conditions of Supply which informs our suppliers of the requirements for Ethical trading

 

Supply Chain

Bakels source ingredients globally either directly with the manufacturer or through an Agent and in the majority of cases have long standing, successful trading relationships with them. There is a full supplier approval procedure in place which includes ensuring that all Ethical and Modern Slavery requirements are met. Bakels are fully committed to ensuring that we only purchase from legitimate companies that meet all appropriate legislation and are not in any way engaged or associated with modern slavery or human trafficking. We encourage our suppliers to join SEDEX and link all manufacturing sites to Bakels. Where this is not possible, an Ethical questionnaire must be completed and signed.

Bakels ensures that our labour providers have a GLA licence and follow the provisions of the Gangmaster Licencing Act 2004.

Internal Training and Resources

Bakels are members of Stronger Together which is a UK multi -stakeholder initiative that brings together companies, labour providers, industry associations, NGOs and other key actors to address and help businesses tackle modern slavery. Members of the site Senior Leadership Team have attended training provided by Stronger Together

Further Steps to Prevent Modern Slavery

In 2024/25 it is our intention to carry out the actions referred to below:

We will carry out awareness training with all our staff with regard to Modern Slavery

We will undertake a 4 pillar SMETA audit

We will complete a full ethical risk assessment on all supply chains, taking into consideration the geographic location and known risks associated with that country with regard to Modern Slavery. As a result of this risk assessment, appropriate measures and actions will be put in place where required.

We will aim for more suppliers to be registered on SEDEX and linked to British Bakels with full visibility of SAQ’s and any ethical audits

Paul Morrow

British Bakels Chairman

17/10/2024