Modern Slavery Statement

Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our Company’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 December 2022.

Introduction

As one of the leading house builders in the South West, we recognise that we have a responsibility to take a robust approach to slavery and human trafficking within the construction sector. The principles of fairness and respect run throughout our relationships with our employees, agency workers, subcontractors, suppliers and other stakeholders and we are committed to acting ethically, transparently and with high integrity in all our business dealings and relationships. Our objective is to ensure that we work with reputable local suppliers and contractors to minimise the possible risk of slavery or human trafficking in our supply chain. We only engage those that have been approved on our supply chain accreditation list and those in breach of the Act will automatically be removed from our supply chain.

Please see our Anti Slavery Policy.

Our Company

C G Fry & Son Ltd is a family owned and managed company established by Charles George Fry in the 1920’s. We have grown on the back of our reputation for producing a high-quality build, whilst maintaining traditional values combined with a modern and forward-thinking ethos. The company has two main areas of operation: Development Housing and Contracting.

We directly employ 170 employees and have a diverse sub-contractor workforce including ground workers and housebuilding trades. The procurement of subcontractors and materials is managed centrally.

Our Risk Areas

C G Fry & Son Ltd relies on its supply chains in order to undertake development and contracting projects and as such, the key areas of our operation that could be affected by slavery and human trafficking are our directly hired employees, agency workers working on our behalf, subcontractor operatives working on our sites, and the workforce of our supply chain who supply materials to our business. The steps that we take to mitigate risks in relation to each of these areas are as follows:

Our Employees

  • We verify that all employees have the right to work in the UK upon commencement of our employment.

  • We ensure all employees are aware of their working hours, leave, workplace equality, wages and benefits via our contracts of employment and Employee Handbook.

  • We ensure that all employees hold a CSCS card.

Agency Workers

  • We aim to only engage agency workers from reputable suppliers.

  • We make enquiries into our preferred suppliers of labour to ensure that they take the necessary steps to minimise the risk of recruiting forced or compulsory labour.

Subcontractors

  • The Company’s subcontractors are predominantly UK based entities and the majority of these have long standing relationships with the Company.

  • We require that our subcontractors ensure and confirm that their employees are eligible to work in the UK.

  • We ask sub-contractors where purchasing materials to consider the risk of modern slavery in their supply chain.

  • We verify operatives CSCS cards on site.

Suppliers

  • We procure the majority of our directly sourced materials from UK based organisations that are required to comply with UK laws on forced labour. Where materials are sourced from outside of the UK we consider the risk of slavery and human trafficking as part of our selection process.

Whistleblowing

We encourage those working with us to raise any concerns or suspicions regarding improper, unethical or even illegal practices and whistleblowing procedures are in place.

Raising Awareness

We recognise the need to raise employee awareness about slavery and human trafficking. Information is made available to employees electronically and is also displayed on site. New recruits receive information as part of their induction process.

Responsibility for the policy

The CG Fry & Son Ltd Board of Directors has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations.

Management at all levels are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them understand and comply with the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and are given adequate training.

All employees are required to comply fully with the Act.

This statement has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, who will review and update it annually. 

Philip Fry, Managing Director