Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Introduction

This statement covers the activities of Katahdin Ltd and its trading name of St Albans Web Design.

It sets out the Company’s actions to understand all potential slavery and human trafficking risks related to its business and to put in place steps that are aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its own business and its supply chains. This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and relates to actions and activities during the financial year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

Organisational structure and supply chains

The Company owns and operates a web design agency and its operations are limited to the U.K. Our supply chains include (but are not limited to):

  • professional service providers,
  • property tenants and landlords,
  • outsourced IT and technology system providers,
  • business advisors/consultants,
  • cleaning and building maintenance service providers,
  • other equipment and service providers

The Company is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking. The Company prides itself on being an employer of choice and seeks to ensure that anybody who comes into contact with our business is treated with the utmost dignity and respect.

Due diligence

The Company will only seek to work with suppliers who share its commitment to preventing slavery and human trafficking.

The Company works closely with its suppliers to understand their activities and seeks relevant information and warranties from them that adequate procedures and practices are in place to manage the risk of human trafficking or slavery in their supply chain.

Each Director takes responsibility for their relevant area of the business in this regard and ensuring that appropriate due diligence is undertaken in appointing and reviewing supplier relationships. They are also responsible for ensuring that relevant contractual terms are in place to prevent any human trafficking, slavery or employment practices which do not meet the minimum legal requirements or ethical code of the Company.

In the event the Company becomes aware of an incident of human trafficking or slavery (or had a suspicion of such) the Company would seek to investigate this further and ensure the situation was rectified as a matter of urgency. As part of rectifying the situation, the Company would give serious consideration to terminating the supplier agreement.

Any incidents of human trafficking or slavery would be reported to the board of directors.

Whistleblowing policy

The Company encourages all its workers, customers and other business partners to report any concerns related to the direct activities, or the supply chains of, the Company. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. The Company’s whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for workers to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation. Employees, customers or others who have concerns can use our reporting procedure set out in our Whistleblowing policy.

During the 2021-22 Financial Year, no such disclosures were made.

Recruitment policy

The Human Resources department regularly review recruitment practices and those of recruitment partners and agencies to ensure the Company’s engagement of employees and workers is in accordance with statutory requirements and meets the Company’s ethical standards.

As our venues reopened after an extended period of closure, we took the following measures to ensure we reach these standards:

  • Introduced a new recruitment platform, meaning we can perform all required checks thoroughly
    and consistently
  • Re-established links with trusted recruitment partners
  • Trained our hiring managers to ensure they understand and follow the Company’s set procedures

Review

The Company will review this statement on an annual basis. This will be undertaken by the Managing Directors and approved by the board of directors.

Ralph Bartholomew
Managing Director

1 February 2023