Praesidiad Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
September 2023
1. Introduction
We are committed to carrying out our business ethically, responsibly and with integrity, which includes ensuring that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in our supply chain.
This statement is made in accordance with section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and explains the steps we have taken, and aim to take in the future, to prevent, detect and respond to slavery and human trafficking in our business and throughout our supply chain. This statement covers Praesidiad Group Limited and Praesidiad Limited1 and their relevant subsidiaries2. It covers the financial year ending 31 December 2022.
2. About Us
Praesidiad specialises in defence and protection systems for military, commercial and domestic end-users. Our business operates manufacturing facilities and specialist sites focussed on force protection solutions, defensive systems and fencing products and conducts business through three primary brands: Hesco, Guardiar and Betafence.
Praesidiad has over 1,400 employees worldwide and operates primarily in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
3. Our Approach
Praesidiad Group Limited and Praesidiad Limited were incorporated during 2017, bringing together three previously separate operating businesses together under the Praesidiad name. The year ending 31 December 2018 was therefore the first year in which steps were taken to prevent, detect and respond to slavery and human trafficking in our business and throughout our supply chains as one business, and we continued to build on these steps in the years ending 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
We stand by our mission to protect, and as part of our mission we are committed to improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and throughout our group.
Our Policies on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our businesses. Our Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy (the “Policy”), implemented in 2018, reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity 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 supply chains. During 2022 we continued to raise awareness about the Policy’s importance and requirements and completing quarterly declarations of compliance by relevant personnel.
Our Due Diligence Processes for Slavery and Human Trafficking
As part of our ongoing actions to identify and mitigate risk we:
•Identify and assess potential high-risk areas in our supply chains and businesses, including assessing high risk regions and activities.
•Engage external providers to conduct risk assessments and further diligence where appropriate.
•Monitor potential risk areas in our supply chains.
•Protect whistleblowers.
During 2022 we continued to train our employees to develop our processes, raise awareness and ensure compliance.
Supplier Adherence
We have zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking. To ensure all those in our supply chain comply with our values and ethics we have in place a supply chain compliance programme. This includes:
•Assessing our supply chain and evaluating key risk areas.
•Including appropriate contractual provisions in relevant supplier agreements.
•Sending our Supplier Code of Conduct to our Suppliers.
During 2022 we continued to take these measures.
Training
To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and our business, we provide training and guidance to our staff where appropriate.
4. Looking Ahead
During 2024 we intend to build on the steps taken in 2022 and 2023, including by refining our risk-based supplier assessments and conducting more thorough supplier diligence.
Dino Koutrouki
This Statement has been approved by the board of directors of Praesidiad Group Limited, Praesidiad Limited, Erpe Finco Limited, Erpe Topco Limited, Betafence Limited and Hesco Bastion Limited
September 2023