Legal
Modern Slavery Statement
MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT
Modern Slavery is a problem that is growing and one that we at Selective Travel Management are committed to addressing. The rise in globalisation has brought with it a rise in exploitation including people trafficking, forced labour debt bondage and child marriage. In September 2022, The International Labour Organisation estimated that approximately 28 million people were in forced labour globally, with a further 22 million people trapped in forced marriage. This has grown exponentially in the last 5 years. At Selective Travel Management we endeavour to ensure there are no Modern Slavery risks within our own business or our supply chains.
This statement is published in line with section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and details the actions taken during the previous financial year. This statement has had full sign off by the Executive Board of Directors.
In accordance with section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 this statement has detailed the actions taken during the previous financial year.
Our Business
World Travel Centre Group was founded in 1972 and has grown to be one of the UK and Ireland’s largest travel companies. We operate in two locations;
- Dublin: 43 Pearse St Dublin 2
- Belfast: Murray’s Exchange, 1 Linfield Road, Belfast, BT12 5DR
World Travel Centre Group operates three unique industry functions: Corporate, Consolidation, and Retail. Our corporate function operates under the Selective Travel Management brand.
At Selective Travel Management our model is based on supplying business travel management for industry sectors including Government Departments, Higher Education, SME’s and the NGO sector.
Through our team of experts in the travel sector, we combine outstanding customer service with cutting-edge technology, ultimately delivering an exceptional personalised experience for our clients. Service is at the core of what we do best and we will only work with likeminded suppliers. Our partnerships are founded on values and ethos that align with our own.
Our Values
Our Values include:
Integrity
We act with integrity and respect
Our business activities and relationships are built on trust. We deliver an exceptional, personalised experience with honesty, transparency, and openness. We treat our colleagues and customers with the utmost respect.
Passion
We are passionate about our business
Our passion is our strength, and we love what we do. We keep our promises and are passionate about delivering high levels of customer service. We promote a positive, energizing, and optimistic environment.
Teamwork
We are one Team and Together we make a difference
Together as a Team we work with you in partnership to grow stronger customer focused relationships. We value everyone’s contribution, to ensure we achieve the best results for our customers and our business.
Safety
Your care is our duty
We provide a safe place to work and an environment for staff to learn and develop. Our support and guidance allow you to be the best you can be and help grow our business in a way that makes us proud.
Innovation
We are dedicated to greatness
Through innovation we can deliver leading technology at your fingertips. We challenge ourselves to find new ways of helping our customers achieve their goals and welcome change.
Knowledge
We are passionate about our business
Sharing our wealth of knowledge gives us the power to exceed your expectations.
Our Policies
Our commitment to preventing modern slavery is integrated into our staff and supplier codes of conduct and is addressed in our policies such as;
- Modern Slavery Policy
- Young Persons Working Hours Policy
- Anti-Bullying Policy
- Client Relations Policy
- Personal Harassment Policy
- Health & Safety Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Data Protection / Whistleblower Policy
We require our staff and suppliers to act in a way that reflects our values and ethics both inside and outside the workplace.
Staff
Between 2020 and 2022, we switched from an office working environment, to 100% remote working and latterly to a hybrid model. We had and continue to regularly communicate with our employees, which has helped us proactively meet everyone’s needs, while supporting their ongoing health, wellbeing and mental health.
Selective Travel Management are accredited with Investors in People and we strive to create a caring and safe environment where staff can flourish. We do not tolerate discrimination, abuse or harassment of any kind and we expect the same of our suppliers. Our employee charter sets our commitment to our people and in turn what we expect from them.
All staff must adhere to our codes of conduct and company policies.
Our staff have been fully trained in procedures that support the Modern Slavery Act and are expected to work in line with this policy. We have facilitated awareness training for staff annually which outline the channels through which Modern Slavery can manifest and the procedures required should a concern arise. We operate an open-door communication policy, and we also provide a protected disclosure facility should a staff member require confidentiality.
Our Supply Chain
We will not work with a supplier before carrying out thorough research into their business procedures and we ensure they are appropriately licensed to carry out the service they are providing. New suppliers must complete our mandatory questionnaires to ensure they adhere with our Code of Conduct and comply with the Modern Slavery legislation. We conduct bi-annual risk assessments across our business which includes supplier audits. In line with our commitment to the Modern Slavery Act we have added a clause to our risk assessment that specifically addresses this issue within our supply chain.
We only work with reputable suppliers, most of whom we have partnered with for many years, and we take responsibility for ensuring our supply chains are clean of slave labour. This is done through our ISO Quality Management System; we have formal Service Level Agreements with all suppliers, and we carry out frequent supplier audits.
We require our entire Supply Chain to share our values and policies on human rights. We also expect them to operate to the highest standards in managing their own supply chains.
Due to the nature of our business, we assess ourselves to have a risk of modern slavery in our business and supply chains as we procure services from a range of international suppliers. On reviewing our Supply Cain, we have had no reports or breaches in any modern slavery offences, nor have we taken any action against any Supplier for any failings.
We are committed to ensure all new Suppliers complete a Modern Slavery Questionnaire prior to being introduced within our Supply Chain.
Moving Forward
The World Travel Centre Group maintains a commitment to preventing Modern Slavery and will continue to operate a zero-tolerance policy in this regard. This statement will be reviewed annually, and its effectiveness will be measured in line with KPIs.
We will continue to review, develop and promote our policies and practices to identify and mitigate risk areas for modern slavery and human rights abuse in our business and supply chains as part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
Keith Graham
