Modern Slavery Statement

Fair Trade

Modern Slavery Statement


Hotel Chocolat is committed to preventing acts of modern slavery and human trafficking from occurring within its business and supply chain and imposes those same high standards on its suppliers.


Structure of Organisation

Hotel Chocolat is a UK based chocolate manufacturer and multi-channel retailer with outlets based within the UK, US and Japan and an annual turnover of c. £150m. www.hotelchocolat.com. We work with a range of suppliers and partners from Ingredients and Packaging manufacturers to IT, Marketing services and equipment manufacturers


Policies

As part of our commitment to combating modern slavery we have implemented the following policies within our organisation:

  • Supplier approval and sign-off
  • Vendor Rating
  • Technical Specification and Quality auditing
  • Commercial review schedule
  • Supplier Code of Conduct


    • Due Diligence

    In our efforts to monitor and reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring within our supply chains, we review our business framework in conjunction with PwC to highlight any areas warranting exceptional focus. In conjunction with our whistle blowing policy we believe that we follow a best practice approach.


    Risk and Compliance

    We will regularly evaluate the nature and extent of exposure to the risk of modern slavery occurring in the supply chain. We have a heightened consideration based on cocoa supply:

  • Our Engaged Ethics programme covers 100% of our cocoa supply and as a result we develop direct sourcing relationships wherever possible with farmers directly rather than our processing partnership supply chain audit points only.
  • 100% of our cocoa from Ghana is enveloped and audited by our NGO partner – Green Tropics Group as well as local PwC audit team.
  • We do not tolerate slavery and human trafficking within our supply chains.
  • If we find evidence of a failure to comply with our policies we will immediately seek to terminate our relationship with the relevant supplier.


    • Effectiveness and KPIs

    We conduct independent reviews of our business and supply chains and take ongoing action to combat slavery and human trafficking.

    We review all supplier relationships on a minimum basis of once a year ensuring we have a sourcing approach that has a zero-tolerance approach – no incidents raised or reported to date.


    Training

    We invest in educating our team to recognise the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains. Through our induction and training programmes employees are encouraged to identify and report any potential breaches of the organisation’s policies within the wider understanding of whistleblowing. Our School of Chocolate educational programme is under review during Summer 2019 to ensure all Employees are aware of the stance on modern slavery and human trafficking as well as the consequences of failing to eradicate them from our business and supply chains:

  • Onboarding modules for new starters
  • Immersion programme
  • ELT sessions
  • Heads of Department development


    • This statement is made in accordance with Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes Hotel Chocolat’s slavery and human trafficking statement for financial year ending 28th June 2020.