Statement on Modern Slavery

This statement affirms our commitment to supporting and respecting the the various anti-modern slavery acts, such as: UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact, and other internationally proclaimed human rights standards.

Introduction

XBV is a management consultancy specialized in empowering companies deal with important issues such as navigating complexity, achieving sustainable organizational growth, innovating, implementing change and enhancing productivity. Our comprehensive suite of solutions, coupled with our strong values and unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and partnership, enables us to deliver tangible results that drive sustainable growth and success. XBV sets itself apart by offering a unique blend of strategic insight, operational expertise, enabled where appropriate by innovative technology. We partner with clients to address their most pressing challenges, unlock hidden potential, and achieve sustainable growth.

At XBV, we’re striving to deliver the best possible outcomes to our clients by embracing the rigorous standards of ISO 20700 in everything we do. This international standard for management consultancy services coupled with our internal policies ensures the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of our work, establishing us as a reliable and trustworthy partner for clients.

Our commitment and values

Our company is steadfast in its commitment to ethical business practices and human rights. XBV has zero tolerance to any form of modern slavery of which we become aware, such as slavery, servitude, human trafficking, child slavery and forced labour. We work to ensure that our supply chains are free from exploitation and that our business operations adhere to the highest ethical standards.

This is how we enforce our commitment:

A. Our company values

Firstly, our company Values highlight two essential elements related to how we conduct business and interact with stakeholders, focusing on fairness and integrity:

  • Win-Win: Fostering fair and sustainable relationships with our clients, partners, and employees, based on mutual trust and respect.
  • Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards and acting with honesty, transparency, and accountability.

B. Our company purpose

Secondly, our company Purpose is to shape a better future for all. As such, we want to help organizations navigate complex challenges, seize opportunities and create a better future for their stakeholders. By partnering with our clients, we will contribute to a world where businesses thrive, economies prosper, and societies flourish.

C. Our Code of Conduct

Thirdly, the employee Code of Conduct emphasizes the importance of fair compensation and benefits for employees, as well as the importance of respecting human rights and labour standards. Additionally, the Code of Conduct encourages employees to report or whistle blow ethical concerns. We adopt a strict zero-tolerance policy toward bribery and corruption, committing to conduct all business dealings and relationships with professionalism, fairness, and integrity, regardless of location.

D. Recruitment practices

Rigorous recruitment is important and we strive to implement industry best practices, such as: thorough background checks and verification for prospective employees. We do this because we want to help identify and prevent human trafficking, child labour or individuals being forced to work against their will.

E. Procurement practices

Additionally, our Supplier Code of Conduct is a cornerstone of our commitment to prevent modern slavery, setting clear expectations for our suppliers and partners.

Key Provisions of Our Supplier Code of Conduct:

  1. Zero Tolerance for Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking:
    • We demand that our suppliers adhere to strict ethical standards and prohibit any form of modern slavery, human trafficking, or forced labor.
    • We require suppliers to ensure that their workers are employed freely, paid fairly, and work in safe and healthy conditions.
  2. Ethical Recruitment and Employment:
    • Suppliers must recruit workers ethically, ensuring fair recruitment practices and transparent employment contracts.
    • No fees should be charged to workers for recruitment or employment, and workers should have the freedom to leave their employment without undue restrictions.
  3. Fair Labor Practices:
    • Suppliers must comply with all applicable labor laws and regulations, including those related to minimum wages, overtime pay, and maximum working hours.
    • Workers should be provided with adequate rest periods and opportunities to take time off.
  4. Safe and Healthy Working Conditions:
    • Suppliers must maintain safe and healthy working environments, free from hazards and risks.
    • Adequate safety measures, including personal protective equipment, should be provided to workers.
  5. Environmental Responsibility:
    • Suppliers should minimize their environmental impact and comply with environmental regulations.
    • Sustainable sourcing practices should be encouraged to protect natural resources.
  6. Transparency and Accountability:
    • Suppliers must maintain transparent and accountable business practices, including accurate record-keeping and financial reporting.

Enforcing Our Code of Conduct

We take a proactive approach to enforcing our Supplier Code of Conduct through the following measures:

  • Supplier Due Diligence: We conduct thorough due diligence on potential suppliers, assessing their ethical practices and compliance with our Code of Conduct.
  • Regular Monitoring and Audits: We regularly monitor our supply chain to confirm compliance with our standards.
  • Training and Capacity Building: We provide training and capacity-building support to our suppliers to help them understand and implement our Code of Conduct.
  • Collaboration with Industry Partners: We collaborate with industry partners and NGOs to share best practices and promote ethical sourcing.
  • Remediation: We take appropriate action, including remediation and termination of contracts, to address non-compliance with our Code of Conduct.

By upholding these principles and taking concrete steps to enforce our Supplier Code of Conduct, we aim to create a more ethical and sustainable supply chain. Working together with our suppliers, we can make a positive impact on the lives of workers and the environment.

We collaborate closely with our customers, promoting a shared commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking within our projects and teams. We share this commitment with our customers and encourage them to adopt similar standards, where applicable.

Monitoring

Lastly,we evaluate and ensure the effectiveness of our measures to prevent modern slavery within our business, customer interactions, and supply chain as follows:

  1. Relevant Training (relevant policies and codes)
  2. Awareness within our company
  3. Investigations of any internal reports of modern slavery coming from our stahekolders
  4. Regular review of our statement and industry best practices