Modern Slavery Statement
Introduction
This statement sets out DeMontfort Fine Art’s actions to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to our business and to further put in place steps that are aimed at ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in either our business or in all our supply chains. It has been published in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and details action taken by us. This is our second annual statement.
Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms; slavery, servitude, forced and bonded labour; and human trafficking; all of which have in common the deprivation of a person's liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain.
DeMontfort Fine Art recognises the need to raise awareness and to be proactive in working to prevent all aspects of modern slavery.
We recognise that we have a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking and are committed to acting transparently, ethically and with integrity in all of our corporate activities and relationships through implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere within the business or our supply chains.
Organisation
DeMontfort Fine Art is a publisher, distributor and retailer of fine art. We have a portfolio of retail galleries in the UK and on board cruise ships, operating under retail brands Whitewall Galleries, Clarendon Fine Art and Atelier Galleries. DeMontfort Fine Art manufactures the majority of its product in-house at our UK Operations Centre.
The product can be categorised as follows:
Original Artwork
This is purchased either from an individual artist or a third party agent/publisher. The artwork is either collected by ourselves or shipped to us for sale, either in our own galleries or in our network of independently owned partnership galleries.
Limited Edition Artwork
The majority of this is manufactured in house using a number of printing and hand finishing techniques, with a small quantity being purchased from other publishers or distributers from around the world.
Sculpture
The company sells a wide selection of sculptures sourced from around the world and includes large installation pieces produced in the UK.
Frames
We have a substantial framing operation which frames and distributes both original artwork and limited edition artwork via a fleet of owned vehicles and a range of domestic and worldwide couriers. Our framing operation uses a diverse range of decorative mouldings and frames sourced mainly within the EU, with a small quantity obtained from around the world supplied by UK distributers.
Policies
Our commitment to ensuring we are able to identify modern slavery risks is supported by various policies, including but not limited to the following;
• Whistleblowing Policy
• Anti-Bribery Policy
• Recruitment Policy
• Eligibility to work Standard Operating Procedures
Employees are encouraged to report concerns using the available reporting channels, all reports are investigated and if applicable we would contact the relevant authorities. Employees that report concerns whether openly or confidentially, will be taken seriously and receive full protection under our Whistleblowing Policy. All policies are available within our staff handbook and on our internal systems.
Alternatively, individuals can report a case of modern slavery or gain more information from the government’s Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.
Tackling Modern Slavery - Our Initiatives
People
Our HR and Payroll functions have protocols in place to ensure that all employees are paid properly in accordance with the terms of their employment. There is no cost or fee for anyone at any stage within our supply chain when employment is sought or established with us.
This includes mechanisms to monitor multiple use of the same home address along with us ensuring bank accounts and wages are paid in to the employees name, unless proof of a relationship with the account holder can be established.
Our Board of Directors are responsible for monitoring the Company’s compliance of the Modern Slavery Act and do so with the upmost integrity.
Supplier relationships
DeMontfort Fine Art has built long established relationships with suppliers, distributers and contractors making clear of our expectations of their business behaviour in relation to the provisions of the Modern Slavery Act.
We have standardised our on-boarding procedures for new suppliers to validate and quantify the impact of any potential exposure to the Act and continually monitor this.
We have a zero tolerance towards slavery and human trafficking. We expect everyone in our supply chain including suppliers, distributers and contractors to conform to these values. The Board and senior managers take responsibility for compliance in their respective departments and their supplier relationships in connection to the monitoring and enforcement of their internal policies, and own supply chains to ensure that our values are maintained.
Training
To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and our business, we provide training to relevant members of staff and stakeholders where requested.
Signed on behalf of the board of directors;
Helen Swaby
CEO
31/03/2020