The Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires those entities carrying on a business or part of a business in the UK, supplying goods or services, and having an annual turnover of £36 million or more to disclose information regarding the steps they have taken to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chain as well as within their own organisation during the previous financial year.
MODERN SLAVERY ACT STATEMENT
hVIVO Services Limited (“hVIVO”) is committed to engaging in its business ethically and working to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking throughout our organisation and within our supply chain. This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and highlights the activities we have undertaken during the financial year ending 31 December 2023 to tackle modern slavery.
BUSINESS STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION
hVIVO Services Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 02326557 and has its registered office 40 Bank Street, Floor 24, London, E14 5NR.
We operate as a specialist contract research organisation and a world leader in testing infectious and respiratory disease vaccines and therapeutics using human challenge clinical trials. The company sits within the hVIVO plc group which also includes the drug development and services firm Venn Life Sciences based in France and the Netherlands.
We conduct business across multiple UK sites, primarily from London via our laboratory testing and quarantine facilities at Queen Mary Bioenterprises Innovation Centre and also our support centre and volunteer screening facility in Plumbers Row. In addition, we have a secondary screening facility in Manchester and a biobank in Ely.
OUR POLICIES AND TRAINING
In accordance with hVIVO’s commitment to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking, we have several policies and procedures in place which are routinely updated and serve as the basis of our compliance against the risks associated with modern slavery. These include our HR, Diversity and Equal Opportunities, Whistleblowing, and Anti-Corruption & Bribery policies, and our standard Vendor Management and Supplier Assessment operating procedures, which are available to all hVIVO colleagues.
At hVIVO, we comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding employment practices, benefits, and health and safety, including paying fair wages equal to or exceeding minimum wage and living wage regulations. We ensure that any temporary staff or contractors who work with or for hVIVO follow the standards that we set, and that they are able to join a safe workplace environment free from discrimination.
SUPPLY CHAIN AND DUE DILIGENCE
hVIVO’s supply chain includes specialist goods and services, such as laboratory equipment, viral products, and clinical trial consultancy services.
We are committed to sourcing quality products and services from, and building relationships with, suppliers who share our values and ethical standards. We do not enter into business with any organisation, in the UK or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to be involved in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.
We continually evaluate how to identify and address risks across our supply chain, including those related to modern slavery and human trafficking. As we engage third party suppliers who may provide goods or services in highly regulated clinical trials, we take care to ensure that sufficient due diligence has been conducted prior to engagement, which may, if necessary, include a review of applicable supplier policies and modern slavery statements. In all circumstances, we ensure that appropriate contractual terms are put in place with any supplier with which we work to make certain that they meet the standards expected by hVIVO, regulatory authorities, and applicable law.
SIGNATURE
This Statement has been approved by the hVIVO Board of Directors and signed by Yamin Khan on behalf of hVIVO Services Limited.
Signed Name: Yamin Khan
Position: Chief Executive Officer
Date: 13 March 2024
