Modern Slavery Statement



Introduction

This statement is made by The MBS Group Limited (MBS) in accordance with Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the “Act”) and relates to actions and activities for the financial year ending 31st March 2021.

This statement sets out MBS’ actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to its business and to put in place steps that are aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in its business and supply chains. MBS recognises that it has a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking and is absolutely committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities, and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

Our business

MBS is a professional services company. Our principal services include the placement of senior executives onto Boards and in senior roles within the various Industry Sectors we are involved with, and  offered to businesses around the world.

Our people

MBS carries out checks on all new employees and candidates to ensure that they have the right to work in the United Kingdom.

Supply Chain

MBS is responsible for governance of the Company’s third-party management program. This includes, but is not limited to, facilitating the efficient and effective use of company resources in the acquisition of goods and services from third-party suppliers, while protecting the MBS brand and other financial assets, and complying with company policy and regulatory requirements. MBS comprises various procurement spend categories, including: (a) Marketing, Advertising and Print; (b) Customer Servicing; (c) Professional Services; and (d) Technology. MBS’s category teams enable the achievement of business goals by strategically identifying and executing spend optimisation opportunities and by coordinating global and local procurement strategies across the MBS supply chain.

Policies and Due Diligence

As a service provider and although we have evaluated the risk of slavery and human trafficking from occurring within our supply chain as low, as part of our ongoing commitment to the highest ethical standards we endeavour the following as ways in which MBS can further mitigate any risk:

  • All employees at MBS are required to complete adequate training in this regard on an annual basis. Failure to do so constitutes a disciplinary offence. The code of conduct sets the highest ethical standards and requires employees to report any suspicion of non-compliant and/or unethical behaviour (which would include breaches of the Act) either by MBS or any of its business partners, including but not limited to suppliers.
  • All employees at MBS are required to follow the organisation’s values, which are the principles which guide how we carry out our business and interact with our people and communities. We aim to deliver exceptional service to our clients by building long-lasting relationships based on trust and understanding, and the same approach applies to our relationships with suppliers. Our employees work together across business lines and communicate effectively to ensure all supplier engagement activities are conducted with integrity.
  • When MBS contracts with a supplier it stipulates inter alia that: (1) suppliers must comply with all applicable laws when providing goods and/ or services to MBS; (2) appropriate background checks must be carried out; and (3) sub-contracting is generally prohibited without the express consent of MBS.

MBS seeks to use  Approved Supplier List (ASL) and where possible seeks to use ASL suppliers instead of new suppliers. ASL status means at a minimum that there is a valid contract in place with a supplier and that they have been the subject of a risk assessment process which includes, where applicable, verification that the supplier has in place an adequate code of conduct, background check and compliance policies as well as all required business licenses. Through the ASL we can minimise the risk of unethical practices (including slavery and human trafficking) from being introduced into the supply chain.