Modern Slavery Act Statement

Classic Collection Holidays’ Modern Slavery Statement – March 2024

 

Introduction

Modern slavery is a crime which encompasses slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking. Classic Collection Holidays is committed to act with integrity and transparency in every area of its business and it realises the importance of being aware of potential modern slavery risks within the business and throughout its supply chains. This statement sets out the steps we have taken during the financial year ended 30 September 2023 and continue to take during the financial year ending 30 September 2024 to combat modern slavery.

Organisational structure and supply chains

Classic Collection Holidays is a luxury tour operator promoting tailor-made holidays travelling from the UK to various worldwide destinations. We sell holidays directly to the public, and via travel agents. We book customers’ travel via scheduled, charter and low cost/no frills airlines or by rail, and book accommodation (mostly in four and five-star hotels and occasionally in villas and on river cruise ships). We provide a UK-based concierge service to book excursions and tickets overseas and representation services in resort. Additionally, we use the services of handling/ground agents, and transport companies to book private transfers overseas.

Responsibility

The Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and implementing policies regarding the company’s anti-slavery initiatives. 

Within our business

We employ approximately 160 staff, mainly located at our head office in Worthing, West Sussex, and has a small number of overseas employees and contractors.  Only reputable agencies are used to recruit new staff, and passport checks ensure that all employees are eligible to work.

Suppliers to our business

We are committed to having an open dialogue with our suppliers and we work with our suppliers to ensure robust measures are in place to prevent modern slavery. Our standard contracts include applicable anti-slavery provisions. If we ever became aware of any instances of modern slavery, we would cease our relationship with the supplier concerned immediately.

Our Policies

We have a number of policies and procedures in place to ensure that we are conducting all business in an ethical and transparent manner. Our policies and procedures include: 

- Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy – guidance on recognising and countering bribery and corruption. 

- Anti-Slavery Policy – outlines our stance on modern slavery, how to recognise it and report it.   

- Recruitment – our recruitment procedures include checks of eligibility to work legally in the UK.  

- Whistleblowing Policy – employees are encouraged to raise concerns about any wrongful treatment or practice within our business or supply chain, including potential acts of modern slavery.    

 

Training

As part of employee induction, all employees receive information about our policies. Further training is provided to management, HR and our supply and contracting teams so they may recognise the signs of modern slavery, understand how to report it and ensure others comply with our policies. 

Our performance indicators

We encourage our employees and suppliers to be vigilant, and we will continue to review how effective the steps we are taking have been in combating modern slavery across our business and supply chain. 

Board Members’ approval

The company makes this statement pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It has been approved by the Board of Directors who will review and update annually.

Signed on behalf of the Company

Date: 11 March 2024