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Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Introduction from the Company Director, on behalf of the Vita Group Board

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“the Act”) requires commercial organisations of a certain size, operating in the UK and supplying goods and services from or to the UK, to publish a slavery and human trafficking statement each financial year, setting out the steps which they have taken to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in their business or supply chains.

Vita Group and all its UK subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) are committed to combatting slavery and human trafficking in all its forms in our own business and in our supply chain. Vita Group adopt a zero – tolerance approach to any criminal offence. This statement is made pursuant to section 54(6) of the Act and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year 2024. This statement relates to all companies within the Vita Group Holdings Limited group of companies.

Organisational Structure

We are a developer, operator and promoter of market-leading residential property brands headquartered in the UK but operating through branch offices globally. The ultimate parent company is Vita Group Holdings Limited. The Group has over 500 employees.

Our Business

Our business is organised primarily into the following six operating brands, across a range of business units from design and development, marketing and letting, building operations, and finance and accounts:

  • Vita Student and House of Social provide purpose-built student accommodation.
  • Vita Living is a brand which operates in the build-to-rent sector; and
  • Union operates co-living residential communities.

Given the nature of our business, we consider that there is a low risk of modern slavery and human trafficking having a connection with our operating brands. However, we have taken the steps detailed below to ensure compliance of the Act.

Our supply chains

Our supply chains include design and engineering consultants, construction contractors, suppliers of furniture, fixtures and equipment, building maintenance/service contractors, professional service providers (such as lawyers and accountants), IT software and service providers, marketing and design agencies and recruitment agencies.

Our Policies on 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 business. In light of the obligation to report on measures to ensure that all parts of our business and supply chain are slavery free we have put in place a designated Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy.

Our Modern Slavery Policy demonstrates 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.

This can be found at VG-Modern Slavery Policy.

Due diligence processes for slavery and human trafficking internal employees

Employees are required to familiarise themselves with all policies and procedures to assist in the identification and prevention of such criminal acts.

External supply chain

We fully expect that our direct supply chain members meet both legal and ethical standards in their daily operations, while ensuring that compliance is managed appropriately across their own supply chain partners.

We have recently upgraded our supplier onboarding through our Supplier Take-On Process and have hired additional staff to assist with supply chain engagement and monitoring.

We have mechanisms in place to protect whistle-blowers.

Furthermore, we are working to have increased awareness around the following:

  • Identify and assess potential risk areas in our supply chains.
  • Mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains.
  • Monitor potential risk areas in our supply chains.
  • Protect whistle-blowers.


Supplier adherence to our values

We have zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking. To ensure all those in our supply chain and contractors comply with our values we intend to review our agreements and dealings with suppliers and contractors to ensure compliance with anti-slavery 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 guidance and training to our staff in Modern Slavery at enrolment, and also require them to undertake refresher training annually.

We will also encourage our business partners to provide training to their staff and suppliers.

Our effectiveness in combating slavery and human trafficking

To make sure that we monitor our compliance with policy, we will use a number of key measures across our group of companies, including specifically Completion of all statutory requirements to ensure right to work within the UK.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our Group’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending December 2024.

On behalf of Vita Group Holdings Limited:
Date: 17 February 2024

Place & Community

01

Place & Community

Create thriving communities, a principle which has been with us from the very start, it’s simply not good enough to create a building without thinking carefully about its context and the wider impact it has on its surrounding neighbourhood. We’re driven to create communities within communities as well as respond to and complement the neighbourhood and its eco-system. Creating tomorrow’s city living means we must be part of the DNA of that city and partnering with local authorities. This includes connecting with local suppliers, talent, charities, and businesses, collaborating on important community initiatives and helping to develop surrounding spaces. It’s not just about helping to regenerate cities; it’s helping them to function effectively.

Society

08

Society

We know that in helping to create tomorrow’s cities, we have a responsibility to have the best possible impact on society as a whole. As such, we won’t be afraid to challenge those things which just don’t sit right. So don’t be surprised to see us take a knee at the start of a sporting event, celebrate key religious holidays, and fly the rainbow flag for pride. To create a better tomorrow, we must stand together today.

Environment

03

Environment

To really effect change and create a platform in which cities thrive, we know we need to look beyond building design, carbon creation and energy usage. We must tackle bigger issues and help change behaviours, as such we’re creating initiatives which help users across the platform understand the role they can play in reducing our impact on the world.

Sustainable Operations

04

Sustainable Operations

Continually reduce our use of the planet’s valuable resources, working towards net-zero carbon, sourcing green energies and reducing non-recyclable waste.

Building Design

05

Building Design

Building design – create a harmonic balance between buildings, the environment and their users. Constantly looking at ways we can improve efficiency (reducing U and Y values), reduce embodied carbon through production whilst ensuring wellbeing through design and innovation to create high performing buildings which enable their occupants to live more healthily and productively. It includes elements such as air quality, sustainable construction and amenities.

Governance

06

Governance

Applying best practice and the highest standards and ethics to everything we do. From how we manage personal data to how we conduct our business in every aspect of the corporate and consumer realm. Our policies and practices ensure we’re constantly reviewing, auditing and ensuring statutory compliance and principled integrity. We are guided by best-in-class professional advisory firms in developing and reviewing our corporate policies, as well as following national guidance on health and safety and sector-specific codes of practice to ensure we maintain the state of the art.

Welfare & Wellbeing

07

Welfare & Wellbeing

Provide a welfare and wellbeing care package for all our people to access. Ensure every resident feels welcome, is part of the community and has the best possible opportunity to thrive incorporating physical and mental wellbeing. This includes constantly evolving our services such as the duty of care charter, onboarding events, our state-of-the-art gyms and free to use bikes.

Talent

02

Talent

Create a culture and environment which allows our colleagues to thrive. We recruit the very best people and give them the opportunity to be better. From our fair pay policies and flexible working, to personal development programmes, life shaping experiences, and inclusive recruitment, everyone has the best opportunity to thrive.