M&C Saatchi World Services

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Overview

M&C Saatchi World Services LLP (“M&C Saatchi World Services”) is the specialist Global and Social Impact Division of M&C Saatchi Worldwide (a global marketing services business) with a focus on supporting the Development sector. M&C Saatchi World Services is committed to complying with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We do not tolerate slavery or human trafficking in our organisation or in our supply chain. We will never knowingly deal with any organisation which is connected to slavery or human trafficking. Given the nature of the services we provide we consider that we are at low risk of exposure to slavery and human trafficking.

The Group mitigates risk by:

• Considering potential risk areas in our supply chains.
• Conducting new supplier due diligence.
• Protecting whistle blowers
• Thoroughly investigating any allegations.
• Taking appropriate action following an investigation.
• Treating any breach of the Group’s Equal Opportunity Policy as a disciplinary offence.

Policies, Supply Chain

Our organisational values are embedded in policies to ensure that we conduct our business ethically and with integrity at all times. These include our policies on equality, diversity and inclusion, recruitment, procurement and social responsibility.

Our supply chain comprises:

• Partner organisations and self-employed consultants located in the UK and overseas, who work with us to provide services across the programme development and delivery cycle
• Corporate/operational support suppliers providing goods and services to the business at corporate and project level.

We expect all of our suppliers and business partners to conduct their business in a lawful and ethical manner, which includes adopting business practices that prevent or eliminate modern slavery and human trafficking from taking place within their supply chains.

Risk and Mitigation

As a professional services consultancy, our risks associated with slavery and human trafficking are generally low. Our key areas of risk are:

• Low-wage jobs, such as drivers, office cleaners and support staff particularly in our international offices in emerging markets.
• Workers in our corporate/operational support supply chain.

To minimise the risk of slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chain, we:

• Ensure through a formal interview process that not only are the competence and aptitude of applicants assessed but that they are applying to work for us through their own free will, have a right to be employed for a specific job and are not breaching immigration regulations.
• Evaluate and assess suppliers using standardised due diligence questionnaires for individuals and organisations to assess capacity and standing, capability, systems, policies and processes and ensure adherence to M&C Saatchi World Services’ values including in relation to modern slavery and human trafficking risks.

We encourage our employees and suppliers to raise concerns about slavery and other risks without fear of reprisal. Our whistleblowing service provides all staff, suppliers and business partners with a confidential channel for reporting any concerns.

Our approach to mitigation is risk-based and, given the size and complexity of our business and that the risk of slavery and human trafficking in our business is considered to be low, we are of the view that these risks are adequately mitigated. However, we recognise that we operate in high risk environments, as do our supply chains. Low skilled employees, including those of our suppliers e.g. cleaners, security staff and drivers can be at risk of labour exploitation. We therefore continue to enhance our controls to ensure that the services we are providing to our clients are slavery-free.

During the year in review, we:

1. Have had no reported incidents relating to modern slavery and human trafficking; and
2. Embarked on and/or completed initiatives designed to enhance our external reporting on ethical matters, strengthen our organisational processes and controls including mitigants against conduct risks generally and the risks of modern slavery including:

• Embarked on and/or completed initiatives designed to enhance our external reporting on ethical matters, strengthen our organisational processes and controls including mitigants against conduct risks generally and the risks of modern slavery including:

During 2020 we will:

1. Appoint a dedicated officer responsible for the day to day management of our compliance and risk environment.
2. Review and develop our codes of conduct for both employees and suppliers and our modern slavery policy in which we shall further define our principles in connection with modern slavery, undertaking a comprehensive review of our due diligence procedures across M&C Saatchi World Services, enhancing these and providing training on modern slavery for all employees to raise awareness and encourage reporting of concerns.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes M&C Saatchi World Services LLP’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 December 2019. This statement was approved by the Board of M&C Saatchi World Services LLP on 18 November 2019.

Andy Blackstone

World Services Finance Director