Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

At Anchor (defined as Anchor Hanover Group and its subsidiaries), we continue to recognise our obligations to combat slavery and human trafficking within our business and supply chains. Our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Transparency Statement sets out how we deliver our commitment to acting ethically in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our organisation or supply chains. 

Our Business

We are England’s largest provider of housing for older people and one of the largest providers of care. We serve more than 65,000 residents in almost 55,000 properties across 1,700 locations and operate in more than 85% of local authorities in England.  We have 6,461 residential care customers and employ more than 10,000 colleagues. Our annual turnover is £678.6m million.

Our supply chains include agency workers, housing and care products, logistics, property and construction, technology and other goods and services and we have a robust risk management framework in place to identify and mitigate any risks associated with modern slavery and human trafficking across our activities.

Our policies on slavery and human trafficking

To maintain best practice, we continually review a robust framework of policies, procedures and contractual requirements in place which contribute towards the prevention of slavery or human trafficking within our organisation and our supply chains. These include policies for procurement, recruitment, lettings and safeguarding and codes of conduct for staff, suppliers and contractors, as well as stringent due diligence and checks when recruiting staff or engaging suppliers or contractors.

Supplier due diligence

We are committed to risk based due diligence processes to identify and assess potential risk areas in our supply chains.  The majority of our suppliers are based within the UK, but we are aware that some of our suppliers outsource or manufacture overseas. We are aware that the risk is higher with these suppliers and ensure we only work with reputable businesses that have systems in place to ensure their supply chains comply with our values.  

Our procurement processes and contracts, aligned with the regulations detailed in the Procurement Act 2023, require suppliers to confirm compliance with the annual reporting requirements contained within the Modern Slavery Act 2015 when tendering for contracts. Modern Slavery offences committed under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 are mandatory exclusion grounds at tender stage and apply to all procurements subject to the Procurement Act 2023 and Regulations 2024.  Failure to do so would stop any purchase or tender progressing.

Our contractual documentation is regularly updated and ensures that suppliers entering into any new contracts agree to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and confirm they already pay the real living wage or have a plan in place to do so. Our standard supplier contract terms also require our suppliers to maintain a set of records to trace the supply chain of all goods and services provided to Anchor and to provide us with a report on request of the steps they have taken to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any of its supply chains.

For our low value suppliers our standard purchase order terms and conditions require suppliers to warrant that they are not involved in modern slavery or human trafficking and have not been subject to any investigation in connection with any offence involving slavery or human trafficking.  

Recruitment and people management

We have robust HR policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with employment legislation and to prevent unethical working practices. We are committed to ensuring fair remuneration and were the first large national care and housing provider to commit to being a Living Wage Foundation employer.
During the recruitment process various checks are completed, including proof of eligibility to work in the UK and disclosure and barring service for appropriate roles.

Housing management and safeguarding

Our prospective customers go through rigorous checks as part of the application process and prior to being granted a tenancy. These include review of proof of identity, work/economic status, tenancy reference checks and three years housing history. In addition, subletting is not permitted under the tenancy agreement.
Systems are in place to encourage reporting of concerns and the protection of whistle blowers. Our employees also have access to a free 24-hour colleague assistance service. 

We have partnerships in place with agencies, such as the police and local authorities and strive to work together to share intelligence and, where necessary, take appropriate action to tackle modern slavery.

Monitoring effectiveness

During 2026-27 we will continue to ensure we understand the potential risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in delivering our services and managing our supply chain.

We will be reviewing our compliance reporting and training provision to procurement and wider colleagues to ensure procurement and contract management practise aligns with the Procurement Act 2023, including addressing modern slavery risks in our supply chain. We currently provide mandatory training on modern slavery for Procurement colleagues and will be reviewing our training offer in 2026 to make it more widely available to colleagues.  

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 March 2025 for Anchor Hanover Group and its subsidiaries.

Approved by Anchor Hanover Group’s Board on 22nd September 2026.

Signed
Christopher Kemball, Chair

This statement will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis and has been approved by Anchor Hanover Group’s Board. Anchor Hanover Group trades as Anchor and this statement applies to all companies and organisations within the Group.