Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for the 2017 Financial Year
This statement has been published in accordance with section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps taken by the Company and the rest of its group companies during the year to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in its supply chains and or in any part of its business.
Structure, Business and Supply Chain
The Company owns and operates some of the UK's most-trusted digital platforms including Zoopla, uSwitch, PrimeLocation, money.co.uk, Property Software Group and Hometrack. The Company creates value by investing in marketing its brands and growing its audience and by developing the best products and platforms for its consumers and partners to engage with. Consumers increasingly use and rely on the Company's platforms in search of real-time information about the property and comparison markets. Similarly, property professionals and home services suppliers increasingly rely on the Company's platforms to reach a transaction-ready audience and market their products and services. Due to the nature of the Company's businesses, its supply chain is limited and it operates with only a small number of suppliers.
Policies in relation to Slavery and Human Trafficking
The Company respects human rights and the integrity of individuals and complies with all relevant laws in the way it runs its business. The Company has in place a whistleblowing policy which encourages employees to report any malpractice or illegal acts, including suspicion of modern slavery, or omissions or matters of similar concern by other employees or former employees, contractors, suppliers, partners or advisers using a prescribed reporting procedure. The Company is committed to conducting business ethically and lawfully and this includes ensuring, as far as possible, that any third parties who act for the Company share this commitment. The Company's "Working with Third Parties" policy is in place to help to identify and mitigate risks associated with the third parties who may perform services for or on behalf of the Company. This includes undertaking due diligence in potential acquisition situations.
Due Diligence Processes
The Company conducts a due diligence process with partners which requests information from partners and third parties. Partners are requested to provide their internal policies (including Modern Slavery policy/statement) and accounting information. If policies and/or accounting information is not adequate the Company will take appropriate action and if necessary, hold back on-boarding a partner until their systems and controls are satisfactory, or refuse to work with a partner altogether.
Approval
This statement was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on 22 May 2018.