Trust and transparency

We believe how we do business matters as much as what we make. When it comes to responsible sourcing, we map suppliers, assess ethical risks, set expectations, support factory training programmes and share practical guidance so customers can make informed, trusted decisions. Internally, we train teams to spot signs of modern slavery and listen and act on their feedback through our Employee Voice Group and colleague surveys. We also encourage people to speak up through Safecall, our independently managed whistleblowing platform. As a Living Wage employer since 2014 and holder of the Fair Tax Mark since 2015, we’re committed to doing the right thing – consistently.

Responsible supply chain management

Taking a proactive approach to responsible sourcing ensures our customers receive products that meet our ethical and quality standards. Most of our ranges are manufactured in our UK factories, while selective global sourcing increases access to a broader choice of materials. Vigilance against modern slavery is embedded throughout our supply chain, supported by specialist training for teams across the business who may have more exposure to those at risk, including operations. We have maintained BES 6001 certification for responsible sourcing since 2011, and we assess all suppliers against the ETI Base Code. For imported goods and materials, we understand the risks associated with our supply chain and annually assess and monitor ethical trends in over 25 countries. 

For our natural stone and solar suppliers, we carry out more detailed mapping. As the first UK members of European not for profit organisation XertifiX, we’re implementing their standard in our Chinese natural stone supply chain. This includes annual audits as well as ethical training in factories, where needed. Our Viridian Solar business is a founding member of the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI), and we’ve supported them to develop international standards on responsible sourcing for the solar sector.  We’ve also visited every stage of our polysilicon supply chain from raw materials extraction to panel manufacture.