a) ORGANISATION

This statement applies to Applied Relational Technology Limited (trading as ART Software Group),  (referred to in this statement as ‘the Organisation’). The information included in the statement refers to the financial year 2023-2024.

b) ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Organisation is located in the southeast of the United Kingdom with one centralised office from which location all employees work. The Organisation is controlled by a Board of Directors.

The Organisation is a leading provider of business-critical software (including bespoke and integrated solutions), applications, services and consultancy with its primary focus being commercial real estate, asset management, destination management and retail businesses, leveraging value from data and streamlining processes. These activities are carried out all year round with software solutions all being cloud delivered.

Consultancy, services, and software development are generally provided in-house rather than in a supply-chain method, however certain services such as hosting are provided by suppliers who have clear declarations and transparency in ethical practices and standards, inclusive of human rights, business conduct, and supply chain standards.

The labour supplied to the Organisation in pursuance of its operation is carried out in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

c) DEFINITIONS

The Organisation considers that modern slavery encompasses:

  • Human trafficking;
  • Forced work, through mental or physical threat;
  • Being owned or controlled by an employer through mental or physical abuse of the threat of abuse;
  • Being dehumanised, treated as a commodity or being bought or sold as property;
  • Being physically constrained or to have restriction placed on freedom of movement.

d) COMMITMENT

The Organisation acknowledges its responsibilities in relation to tackling modern slavery and commits to complying with the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The Organisation understands that this requires an ongoing review of both its internal practices in relation to its labour force and, additionally, its supply chains.

The Organisation does not enter into business with any other organisation, in the United Kingdom or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to involve itself in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

No labour provided to the Organisation in the pursuance of the provision of its own services is obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking. The Organisation strictly adheres to the minimum standards required in relation to its responsibilities under relevant employment legislation in the United Kingdom and Europe and in many cases exceeds those minimums in relation to its employees.

e) SUPPLY CHAINS

In order to fulfil its activities, the Organisation’s main supply chains include those related to the provision of digital services. To ensure suppliers are paid on time, the Organisation follows a set payment run timetable.

f) STEPS

The Organisation carries out due diligence processes in relation to ensuring slavery and/or human trafficking does not take place in its organisation or supply chains, including conducting a review of the controls of its suppliers.

The Organisation has not, to its knowledge, conducted any business with another organisation which has been found to have involved itself with modern slavery.

In accordance with section 54(4) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Organisation has taken the following steps to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place:

  • Regular review of supplier contracts to include termination powers in the event that the supplier is, or is suspected, to be involved in modern slavery;
  • Reviewing and updating procedures to align with evolving regulations, best practices and to ensure effective risk mitigation strategies are in place;
  • Training and educating relevant personnel to raise awareness of modern slavery risks
  • Addressing modern slavery in our Code of Conduct to ensure that employees, partners, and our supply chain uphold the highest ethical standards and are protected from any forms of injustice
  • Due diligence is conducted on potential suppliers to evaluate their commitment to human rights and ethical practices

g) SLAVERY COMPLIANCE OFFICER

The Organisation has a designated Slavery Compliance Officer, to whom all concerns regarding modern slavery should be addressed, and who will then undertake relevant action with regard to the Organisation obligations in this regard. 

This statement is made in pursuance of Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will be reviewed for each financial year.

Date of approval 1/10/2024

Signed: Linda Jordan

Managing Director