WHITE OAK UK SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATEMENT
Introduction
White Oak UK (“We”, “us”, “our”) is committed to improving its practices to combat slavery and human trafficking. As a UK business which engages with a number of key global organisations in order to better service our customers. We are conscious that there remains a risk for slavery or human trafficking to occur in supply chain.
Organisation’s Structure
We are a finance provider in the financial service sector. We have our head office in the UK. We have over 140 employees and we have an annual turnover of in excess of £70 million.
Our business
Our business is organised into a number of business units, being two operating companies, several holding companies and several funding special purpose vehicles.
Our policies on slavery and human trafficking
We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. Our Anti-slavery Policy 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
Internal Arrangements
The Company provides every employee with a written contract of employment. We pay every employee in accordance with the law. We comply with our legal obligations to ensure the health and safety of all of our employees and workers, including in relation to working hours, rest breaks and holidays.
Further policies and documents which reflect our objective to act ethically and in line with our legal and regulatory obligations with regard to our employees, clients and our business relationships.
- Whistleblowing
- Anti-Bribery and Corruption
- Equality
- Staff Handbook
Third Party relationships
We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners, and as part of our contracting processes, we include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children, and we expect that our suppliers will hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.
We recognise that the majority of our suppliers, are not in industries with a high risk of modern day slavery. In addition, our supply chains are primarily confined to the UK and Ireland, countries with a relatively lower risk of modern day slavery and human trafficking.
From a risk management perspective, we maintain processes to identify and review suppliers and vendors that fall within industries and/or countries that can carry higher risk in respect of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Where a supplier or vendor is found to have slavery or human trafficking in their business, or knowingly in their supply chain, the Company may terminate the contract and pursue its legal remedies. We maintain a dedicated legal and compliance function.
Due Diligence processes for slavery and human trafficking
As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk we conduct periodic risk-based reviews of our supply chain. In assessing our supply chain, we will focus on key criteria, including the nature of the service provided, the geographic location where such services are provided, the country of origin of manufacture where applicable and the industry sector. In addition, we also screen all firms we conduct business with to ensure no issues in respect of international watch lists. We have zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking.
Training
To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and our business, we provide training to all our staff.
Declaration
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our Group slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 2023.
Andy Davies, Managing Director Lease & Loans, for and on behalf of LDF Operations Limited trading as White Oak UK.
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