VOHKUS LIMITED
SLAVERY & HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATEMENT

Modern Slavery Statement – July 2023 to March 2024 

Introduction 

This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement relates to actions and activities during the financial year July 2023 to March 2024. 

The statement sets down the Company’s (Vohkus Limited) commitment to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our business activities and the steps we have put in place with the aim of ensuring that there is no slavery or human trafficking in our own business and supply chains. We all have a duty to be alert to risks, however small. Staff are expected to report their concerns and management to act upon them. 

Organisational structure and supply chains 

This statement covers the business activities of Vohkus Limited (a Specialist Computer Centre (SCC) business) which are as follows: 

Founded in 2001 primarily as a HP house, Vohkus now consults, supplies, deploys, supports, and manages all forms of business IT. From outsourced infrastructures to e-procurement and product support, we have a strong track record of driving down operating costs and creating more efficient ways of working. 

Vohkus is a top tier partner for the world’s leading IT companies, working with over 100 technology vendors to sell more than 1 million products to our customers. Our technology practices bring deep technical skills in vital solution areas, to help implement strategic technologies, whilst our vendor relationships ensure unrivalled access to a virtual inventory spanning the globe. 

Risk Assessment 

The following is the process by which the Company assesses whether particular activities or countries are high risk in relation to modern slavery or human trafficking are: 

• Geographic: identifies modern slavery risk arising from the geographical location of supplier, their factories and business operations, and/ or the source of their raw materials.
• Product and service: identifies risks associated with specific products and services, either because of the raw materials used, the known worker risks or historical instances where modern slavery has been identified previously.
• Employment mode risk: identifies risks linked to employment practices within industries and product service areas. Engaging with suppliers to understand their recruitment and employment practices. It’s sometimes the case that a supplier engages in practices that create risk of exploitation. We can help them understand why this is problematic and encourage them to stop.
• Governance: Adherence to legal compliance and portfolio of employment and human rights policies. 

Policies 

The Company is committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our business or our supply chains. This Statement affirms its intention to act ethically in our business relationships. 

The following policies set down our approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and steps to be taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in our operations 

Whistleblowing policy - the Company encourages all its workers, customers, and other business partners to report any concerns related to its direct activities or its supply chains. 

Company Code of Conduct - The Code of Conduct sets down the actions and behaviour expected of employees when representing the Company. We also request our suppliers adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which is shared as part of our new supplier process. 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy - The Company’s CSR policy summarises how we manage our environmental impacts and how we work responsibly with suppliers and local communities. 

Due Diligence Processes for Slavery and Human Trafficking 

The Company undertakes due diligence when considering taking on new suppliers, and regularly reviews its existing suppliers. The Company’s due diligence process includes e.g. building long- standing relationships with suppliers and making clear our expectations of business partners and evaluating the modern slavery and human trafficking risks of each new supplier. We require new suppliers to complete a comprehensive onboarding questionnaire, which is reviewed by a number of key departments to ensure compliance and due diligence. 

We continue to work with our contractors, suppliers, and business partners to ensure that they are open and transparent in their activities and are compliant with applicable legislation. Where the Company identifies any evidence or risk of non-compliance with anti-slavery and anti-human trafficking legislation, the Company will introduce measures to reduce and eradicate such risk or actual non-compliance. Where it is not possible to reduce or eradicate the risk, the Company may choose to cease working with any given contractor, supplier or business partner. 

Future Steps to Prevent Modern Slavery in our Supply Chains 

We understand the risks of modern slavery are dynamic and are open to change quickly. We will continue to monitor the modern slavery risk by way of policy, risk assessment, training and due diligence and will seek to measure the effectiveness of steps taken to minimise such risk on a regular basis. 

The issue of modern slavery and human trafficking are of great importance to the Company, and we will continue to work to ensure that we promote a safe and fair environment for our staff and those of our suppliers. 

This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement will be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary. The COO endorses this policy statement and is fully committed to its implementation 

This Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement has been approved and authorised by: 

Ian Hounsome COO
July 2024