MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT
Modern slavery is a crime and is a violation of fundamental human rights and takes many forms, all of which deprive a person of their liberty in one way or another, to exploit them for personal or commercial gain.
Riverside Motor Group has a zero-tolerance approach to all aspects of modern slavery and we are committed to acting in an ethical way and with integrity in all of our business relationships and we will ensure that we enforce appropriate systems and controls within our business to prevent modern slavery from taking place within it and within our direct supply chains.
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015) focuses specifically on the issue of modern slavery to ensure offenders are suitably reprimanded with severe sentences. Modern slavery encompasses the offences of:
‘Slavery’ – where ownership is exercised over a person;
‘Servitude’ – which involves the obligation to provide service imposed by coercion;
‘Forced or Compulsory Labour’ – which involves work or service extracted from a person under the menace of a penalty, and for which the person has not offered themselves voluntarily;
‘Human Trafficking’ – which concerns arranging or facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploiting them.
This statement explains the steps we have taken in the current financial year to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any part of our business or supply chains.
Group Structure
Riverside Motor Group is the collective term for the six subsidiaries whose principal activities are the sale of new and used vehicles, vehicle leasing, and vehicle servicing and associated activities. All of the Group’s operations are based within the United Kingdom and the Group employs approx. 200 colleagues across the businesses.
Employee Induction
As part of the induction of all new employees into the business and then throughout their employment with us, we will train them to treat others with respect and courtesy as well as ensuring that they adhere to all relevant laws, regulations and standards. This is an on-going due diligence process which is monitored on a regular basis. We offer training and development for all employees, at every level within the business.
The management teams within the business are aware of the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act and are able to address concerns raised by any members of their team or our suppliers. If any employee is found to be in breach of our policies, we ensure that suitable disciplinary action is taken against them, which ultimately could lead to their dismissal. All employees will receive on-going training to raise awareness of modern slavery and to highlight any areas of concern they may have.
Supply Chains
The Group’s principal suppliers are global vehicle manufacturers which supply the business with vehicles and parts for onward customer sale. The Group operates franchise agreements with these vehicle manufacturers and operates motor dealership businesses under these franchise agreements.
The business endeavours to conduct risk assessments of all third parties we have a business relationship with, but because the majority of our purchases by value come from global vehicle manufacturers, then we would refer any interested parties to view the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement of the relevant suppliers we represent, in addition to this statement.
We have on-going risk assessments and procedures in place to identify possible risks exist within both the business and supply chains. Our sources of supply are predominantly from the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States and as such, we do not view this as a significant risk. Should a risk be identified however, we aim to work with our colleagues and suppliers to remedy them.
Supplier Adherence
We have an on-going risk assessment process and regular due diligence processes that focus on modern slavery issues. We continually review our supply chain management processes to ensure that all of our supply chain and contractors comply with our business values and legal obligations. This will include obtaining confirmation from key suppliers that they have contractual arrangements that prohibit modern slavery and human trafficking.
Due Diligence and Combating Slavery
As part of our on-going processes to identify and manage any risks within the business, we have in place the following:
- A process to identify and assess potential risk areas within our supply chains
- A whistle-blowing scheme with protection for employees
- Regular operational Due Diligence checks to highlight all aspects of potential risk, with performance indicators and reporting.
We have not identified any instances or indications that either slavery or human trafficking occurs in our supply chain. As such, we have not considered it necessary to implement any further performance indicators other than those already in place.
Our Policies on Slavery and Human Trafficking
We allow all individuals who work for us to provide services freely and with the right to associate freely with other individuals. Employees are free to choose whether to join a trade union, or not and following on from our training, we offer all employees an environment which is free from harassment and unlawful discrimination.
We ensure that our working practices are in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and all employment legislation. The business does not engage in forced or involuntary labour and we have a zero tolerance approach, which includes any of our supplier’s engaging in such conduct. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity across all businesses within the Group and in all of our business relationships with our suppliers.
Further Steps
Following a review of the steps we have taken this year to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains and to ensure that our processes are effective we intend to ask our key third party suppliers to complete a questionnaire on overall awareness of the Modern Slavery Act, helping us ensure that the suppliers we do business with are taking the necessary preventative measures.
Approval
This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 (1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015) and represents the slavery and human trafficking statement of Riverside Motor Group for the financial year ending 31 December 2020.
Mark Denton,
Director.31st March 2021
Riverside Motors Holdings Limited: - Company Number – 03445546| VAT Number: 715971613Riverside Motors (Hull) Limited - SEAT Hull: Company Number: 9510107 | VAT Number: 715971613
Riverside Eastern Limited - Scarborough Mitsubishi & SEAT: Company Number: 02326058 | VAT Number: 715971613
Riverside Hull Limited - Hull Volvo: Company Number: 03850110 | VAT Number: 715971613
Riverside Motors (Doncaster) Limited - Doncaster Volvo: Company Number: 01647975 2nd July 1982 | VAT Number: 715971613
Riverside Motors (Doncaster) Limited - Doncaster Mitsubishi: VAT Number: 715971613Riverside Wakefield Limited - Wakefield Volvo: Company Number: 11493836 | VAT Number: 715971613
