Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Introduction

This statement sets out the steps that Benchmark Drinks has taken during our previous financial year ending 31 January 2025 to ensure that, to the best of our knowledge, modern day slavery and human trafficking does not occur in our organisation or in our supply chains. This statement will be reviewed annually.

Benchmark Drinks acknowledges its responsibilities to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the related definitions set out within. Benchmark Drinks has a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery and is committed to ensuring that human rights are respected and upheld throughout our business and our supply chain.

Organisational structure and activities

Benchmark Drinks is a privately owned business that purchases wine from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America to sell primarily to retail customers in the UK and distributors overseas.

We employ c20 people in our office in London and are committed to treating our staff fairly. We conduct robust checks as to new employees right to work in the UK to detect human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.

Our supply chain

According to the International Labour Organisation those working in agriculture and seasonal workers are particularly at risk of forced labour. We recognise that both of these categories of workers are typically involved in the harvesting of grapes for wine. We remain live to the increased risk that these workers face and are committed to responsible sourcing.

With regard to employment law, human rights and the Modern Slavery Act 2015, we will continually review our existing compliance and risk management process. This will help to determine associated risk, detection and prevention of modern slavery and human trafficking within our supply chain for products and services to the organisation.

Due diligence process

As part of the company’s due diligence process into slavery and human trafficking, we have assessed that the biggest area of risk is with the wine producers with whom we work. Our producer approval process incorporates the following commitments:

To work with well-established and reputable producers
To visit wineries regularly where procedures and controls are reviewed
To complete regular reviews of all our suppliers and an established process of supplier approval
To confirm that the business will not forge commercial relationships with any business knowingly involved with slavery or human trafficking
To expect all who have or seek a commercial relationship with us to familiarise themselves with the Modern Slavery Act and our anti-slavery values and to act consistently within these
To encourage the reporting of concerns and the protection of whistleblowers

Effectiveness and communication

Using key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of our policy we will:

Complete regular reviews of our supply chain predominantly via personal visits to ascertain their understanding and compliance and to set standard expectations
Ensure our Board and staff understand what is meant by modern slavery and they are committed to our zero tolerance policy towards it
Provide appropriate training to relevant members of staff

Our Policy on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

We are committed to trading ethically and responsibly and we expect all those in our supply chain to uphold the same standards and comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 at a minimum. If a supplier is found to be demonstrating unacceptable practices they will be investigated and provided with guidance regarding immediate required improvements. If no improvement is implemented, or they indicate an unwillingness to cease unacceptable practices, they will be reported to the appropriate authorities and ultimately trading with this supplier would cease.

Company policies assist the organisation to assess, prevent and mitigate the risk of modern slavery existing in the organisation and its supply chains. These include but are not limited to:

Modern Slavery Policy
Quality Control Policy
Whistleblowing Policy

Approval

This statement has been approved by the Board of Directors.

Paul Schaafsma

Managing Director