Modern Slavery Statement

Introduction

This Statement explains the steps taken by Arsenal Holdings PLC and its subsidiary companies (the “Arsenal Group”) to prevent modern slavery in its business and supply chains. 

The term “modern slavery” used in this Statement includes slavery, servitude, any type of forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. References to "we", "us" or "our" in this statement are to the Arsenal Group. 

We published our first Modern Slavery Statement in October 2016. This latest Statement includes additional information in relation to the financial year ended 30 May 2017. 

About Us

Arsenal Football Club is a professional football club which plays its home matches at Emirates Stadium and participates in domestic as well as European club competitions. We have a number of other business operations, including; football operations, commercial partnerships, media distribution, ticketing, retail, property development and community projects. 

The majority of our operations are conducted in the UK through The Arsenal Football Club PLC, which is a subsidiary of Arsenal Holdings PLC. In addition to our activities in the UK, we have some limited overseas activities in Jersey, Singapore and the United States of America. For further information about our group, its organisational structure and operations, see: www.arsenal.com

Our Approach to Modern Slavery

The Arsenal Group has had a long-standing commitment towards ethical, social and environmental responsibility within its business. We comply with all applicable labour laws relating to working terms and conditions, including pay, and we place great emphasis on the fair and equal treatment of all our staff.

The Arsenal Group is committed to seeking to ensure that modern slavery does not exist in its business or supply chain.  As part of that commitment, we implemented our Modern Slavery Policy, overseen by an MSA Compliance Officer, to operate alongside and supplement our existing corporate and people policies that help us ensure that our business operates in an ethical and responsible way.  These include our Health & Safety Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy, Anti-Corruption Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, Conflicts of Interest Policy, Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and Procedures and Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy and Procedures. 

We also reviewed our operations and our supply chain to assess the risk of modern slavery taking place and undertook a risk assessment of these by reference to a number of factors, including: the nature of our activities, their location, the sources from which we are supplied goods or personnel, the risk profile of relevant locations, and any other relevant cultural, economic or operational factors. 

On the basis of this assessment, we introduced further steps to seek to ensure that modern slavery does not take place in our operations or our supply chain, including the implementation of our Modern Slavery Policy.  

Our approach and the steps taken in relation to modern slavery have the full support of our Executive Team which oversees all strategic decisions in this area.

Our Supply Chain

We seek to partner with suppliers that share our values, and we expect our supply chain to operate fair and equitable practices, whereby modern slavery is not tolerated. 

As indicated above, the Arsenal Group developed a risk-based approach to assess the likelihood of the existence of modern slavery within our supply chain.  This risk assessment is an ongoing exercise for our existing supply chain, as well as for potential new suppliers. 

Over the past 12 months we have carried out extensive work to strengthen our understanding of any supply chain risk and implemented appropriate actions to enhance compliance with modern slavery laws and best practice. 

We also continually review the contractual terms and conditions that we put in place with our suppliers to ensure that, wherever appropriate, these include provisions which effectively address the risks of modern slavery. 

Before being formally appointed, any new suppliers which we consider to represent a risk of modern slavery are required to satisfy us that they operate in a manner in which modern slavery is not tolerated, and relevant risks are addressed. Our assurances in this regard may include appropriate contractual provisions (see above), backed up by audits and on-site inspections by a credible and independent third party, where appropriate, as well as an assessment of their policies, procedures, processes and values. 

Once this exercise is completed, our MSA Compliance Officer, Safeguarding Team and Executive Team will consider whether we are satisfied that any modern slavery risks are being appropriately addressed and we reserve the right to refuse to appoint any supplier whose operations and/or supply chain fail to meet our requirements.

Reporting

If we or anyone working for us becomes aware of any instance of modern slavery occurring within our operations or our supply chain, our Modern Slavery Policy provides for the reporting of these matters to an appropriate manager and/or the MSA Compliance Officer. Where a supplier is implicated, we will engage with the relevant supplier(s) and implement an appropriate and timely response. This may include the immediate termination of the supply agreement. In all instances, however, we would seek to prioritise the safest outcome for the victims of the modern slavery activity. There have been no instances of modern slavery reported in the financial year ended 30 May 2017.

Training

The Arsenal Group has also begun implementing a training programme for members of staff working in relevant functions across our operations which we have identified as having a higher risk of modern slavery. The aim of this training is to increase awareness of these issues and to help those members of staff understand them and be alert to relevant indicators, their particular relevance to the Arsenal Group, and those members of staff's role in managing them in accordance with our values and our Modern Slavery Policy. The programme will continue to be developed and adapted to the Arsenal Group’s areas of focus in respect of potential risk.

Within our supply chains, the Arsenal Group aims to assist and work alongside all suppliers as they implement enhancements to the modern slavery policies and risk management processes in their own businesses.

Monitoring Effectiveness

The MSA Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring continued monitoring of the effectiveness of our Modern Slavery Policy and for ensuring appropriate steps are taken should any issues arise.

Approved by the Board of Directors of Arsenal Holdings PLC on 11 January 2018.

Ivan Gazidis
Director, Arsenal Holdings PLC