Modern slavery and human trafficking statement

Here is our updated Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

We are committed to improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking. This statement sets out the steps that the Royal Academy of Arts (the RA), and its wholly owned subsidiary companies, are taking to ensure modern slavery is not taking place in our business or supply chains and is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

This statement is applicable for the financial year which ended 31 August 2018.

This statement covers the RA and its wholly owned subsidiaries as set out below:

• The Royal Academy of Arts - an independent charity led by eminent artists and architects to promote the understanding, appreciation and practice of art through exhibitions, learning and debate;

• R. A. Enterprises Ltd – a wholly owned subsidiary of the RA that operates the RA’s commercial trading activities, including the RA shop;

• Burlington House Ltd - a wholly owned subsidiary of the RA that operates the development, improvement and construction works to Burlington House;

• RA (Arts) Ltd – a wholly owned subsidiary of the RA that operates and delivers the hiring and commercial events programme for the RA;

• The RA will not knowingly support or do business with any person or organisation involved in slavery and/or human trafficking and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships.

These are the preventative steps that we are taking and have taken to date:

• We have adopted the RA’s policy on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking;

• Policies and procedures are in place to minimise any risk of slavery and trafficking in our supply chains by providing due diligence checks on our new contracts and suppliers. More specifically we have:

• Improved our procurement processes which now asks suppliers specific questions on modern slavery.

• Updated our Whistleblowing Policy that encourages staff to report concerns about modern slavery and child or forced labour.

• Updated our recruitment processes to include due diligence checks and information for new staff.

• Are in the process of rolling out awareness training for staff to highlight the RA’s new and updated policies and to ensure that staff remain vigilant and report any concerns.

• Appointed an anti-slavery and human trafficking officer to monitor risk and carry out a yearly audit of compliance, suggesting recommendations as and when required.

We will continue to assess our supply chains and will continually increase our vigilance in our decisions regarding suppliers and potential suppliers by seeking confirmation and commitments from suppliers and contractors. These will include:

• Obtaining where appropriate contractual warranties that slavery is not taking place in the supplier’s business or in any element of its the supply chain and that all necessary policies and procedures have been put in place to prevent such practices;

• Ensuring a right to request compliance related documentation and to carry out an audit if so required at our discretion;

• Ensuring our contracts contain the ability to terminate the arrangement with our suppliers should they breach the Act or not comply to our satisfaction.

• We will decline to enter a new or renewable contract with a supplier (where we can), where we are not satisfied sufficient commitments and protections are in place.

• We will continue to reassess our employment practices and procedures to ensure compliance with the Act.

• We will continue to monitor risk and carry out a yearly audit of compliance, suggesting recommendations as and when required.

If the RA discovers that suppliers or potential suppliers are, or have been, involved in unlawful behaviour it will report it to the relevant authorities.

If you have any queries regarding this Statement please write to:

The Legal Department,
Royal Academy of Arts,
Burlington House,
Piccadilly,
London
W1J 0BD

Approved by the Council of the Royal Academy of Arts on 4 December 2018 Christopher Le Brun PRA 
President – The Royal Academy of Arts