- Freelance editorial suppliers based predominantly in the UK;
- Large and small technology suppliers, based in both the UK and overseas;
- Awards and live events suppliers based predominantly in the UK; and
- Other suppliers of business services based predominantly in the UK.
Supply chain risks The Group’s suppliers are mostly based within the UK which has a developed culture of ethical business practice and strong labour regulation. We have therefore assessed the overall risk of the Group contracting with organisations that engage in slavery or human trafficking as relatively low. However, we have recognised that a risk in our supply chain exists where the Group contracts with technology suppliers based overseas or which have staff operating overseas. Acts to address risks We undertake the following activities on an ongoing basis to assess and mitigate the risk of modern slavery within our business or supply chain:
- Conducting an internal risk assessment to identify which of the Group’s suppliers are most likely to manufacture goods or provide services in countries and/or sectors where modern forms of slavery are more likely to be prevalent;
- Consulting with those suppliers whom we have identified as presenting significant inherent risk in order to understand more about their own businesses, supply chains and the steps they have taken to reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking;
- Reviewing the Group’s existing contractual arrangements and identifying ways these can be strengthened to further reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking in our businesses and supply chains; and
- Providing anti-slavery training to all staff in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Due diligence processes for slavery and human trafficking National World recognises that everyone in the workplace should be able to raise concerns of abuse or labour exploitation if they come across incidents through their work. Our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy requires that employees raise concerns via their line manager or an external whistleblowing hotline. If an employee has concerns that someone they come into contact with in the course of their work might be breaking modern slavery legislation, or that National World processes or procedures might be doing so, they should raise this as a concern via their line manager or the whistleblowing hotline and it will be investigated. Prior to entering into agreements with suppliers, they are issued with a compliance form which is designed to assess areas of potential risk within our supply chains. The form also aims to ensure that suppliers have their own clearly defined ethical working practices. This includes (i) having suitable anti‐slavery and human trafficking policies and processes within their businesses and (ii) confirmation that they comply with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. This helps us to:
- Identify and assess potential risk areas in our supply chains;
- Mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chain;
- Monitor potential risk areas in our supply chains; and
- Protect whistleblowers.
We will continue to monitor the Group’s supply chain to assess ongoing risks and develop measures to further reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking taking place in the Group’s supply chain and/or businesses. Training To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chain and our business, we provide training modules and welcome an open dialogue with our staff in respect of perceived or actual human rights violations. National World rolled out a new modern slavery training module during 2023. Appendix 1 – List of Relevant National World Subsidiaries
- Bann Media Limited
- Connect Local Limited
- Express and Star Limited
- Insider Media Limited
- JPIMedia Publishing Limited
- Midland News Association Limited
- National World Midlands Limited
- National World NI Limited
- National World NMSY Limited
- National World North East Limited
- National World North West Limited
- National World Publishing Limited
- National World Off Road Limited
- National World Scotsman Publications Limited
- National World South Limited
- National World SWP Limited
- National World Systems Limited
- National World Yorkshire Limited
- Newsco Insider Limited
- Not a Newspaper Limited
- Shropshire Newspapers Limited
- Shropshire Star Limited
- The Business Magazine Group Limited
Signed: Russell Whitehair Director Dated: 10 July 2025