Introduction

This statement is made by Major Oak Ventures Ltd (company number 09364741) pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It sets out the steps taken during the 2026 financial year to identify, prevent and address the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking within our business and supply chains.

Modern slavery includes slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. Major Oak Ventures Ltd has zero tolerance for these practices and is committed to acting ethically, responsibly and transparently.

Our business and structure

Major Oak Ventures Ltd operates within the UK motorhome sector, including the brokerage and retail sale of motorhomes. Our operations are supported by approximately 30 employees, including telesales and franchise-support functions, together with a national network of approximately 86 independently operated franchisees.

Our principal supply-chain relationships include:

  • Vehicle owners, manufacturers, dealers and other vehicle suppliers;
  • Independent franchise businesses;
  • Vehicle preparation, servicing, repair and valeting providers;
  • Transport and logistics providers;
  • Parts, accessories and equipment suppliers;
  • Recruitment, professional, technology, marketing and facilities providers.

Our franchisees operate independent businesses. Nevertheless, we recognise that their conduct can affect customers, workers and the reputation of our wider network. We therefore expect franchisees to uphold appropriate ethical and legal standards.

Policies and governance

Responsibility for our approach to modern slavery rests with the board of directors. Day-to-day implementation is allocated to our Director, Mr Ashley Ford.

During the reporting period, the business maintained or introduced the following relevant policies and controls:

  • Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy;
  • Supplier Code of Conduct or supplier standards;
  • Whistleblowing Policy;
  • Recruitment and Right to Work Policy;
  • Employee Code of Conduct;
  • Franchise standards or compliance requirements;
  • Procurement and supplier approval procedures.

Employees, workers, franchisees and suppliers are expected to report any concern relating to exploitation, coercion, unsafe working conditions or unethical recruitment. Concerns may be raised through [insert reporting channels]. Reports will be handled sensitively and, where possible, confidentially. No person raising a genuine concern in good faith should suffer retaliation.

Risk assessment

We recognise that modern slavery risks may arise through complex or opaque supply chains, subcontracted labour, temporary or agency workers, low-paid manual services, overseas manufacturing and transport or logistics arrangements.

Our risk assessment identified the following areas as requiring particular attention:

  • Vehicle manufacturing and the sourcing of parts, components and raw materials;
  • Cleaning, valeting, repair and vehicle-preparation services;
  • Transport and logistics providers using subcontracted labour;
  • Recruitment agencies and temporary labour providers;
  • Suppliers operating in higher-risk countries or sectors;
  • Franchisees appointing their own workers, contractors and suppliers.

Risk is assessed by considering the supplier’s location, sector, workforce model, use of subcontractors, value and duration of the relationship, and any known compliance or reputational concerns.

Due diligence and supplier controls

During 2026, we took the following steps to manage modern slavery risks:

  • Screened new material suppliers and contractors before appointment;
  • Required relevant suppliers to confirm compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and applicable employment laws;
  • Introduced contractual rights to investigate concerns and terminate relationships for serious ethical breaches;
  • Reviewed higher-risk suppliers and requested supporting policies or statements;
  • Communicated minimum ethical standards to franchisees;
  • Checked that recruitment agencies and labour providers followed lawful recruitment and right-to-work procedures;
  • Maintained reporting and escalation arrangements for suspected exploitation.

Where concerns are identified, we will investigate promptly and take proportionate action. This may include requiring corrective measures, increasing oversight, suspending new work or ending a commercial relationship. Immediate termination will not be automatic where doing so could place an affected worker at greater risk.

Any suspected criminal conduct will be reported to the appropriate authority where required. Protecting potential victims will remain central to our response.

Recruitment and employment

Major Oak Ventures Ltd is committed to lawful and fair recruitment. We do not knowingly permit workers to be charged recruitment fees or required to surrender passports or other identity documents as a condition of employment.

Our recruitment controls include right-to-work checks, written employment terms, verification of recruitment agencies and payroll controls. Employees are paid in accordance with applicable UK legislation, including the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 and associated regulations.

Training and awareness

During the reporting period:

  • Relevant employees received training on recognising indicators of modern slavery;
  • Managers responsible for procurement, recruitment and franchise support received role-specific guidance;
  • Modern slavery awareness was included within employee or franchisee induction;
  • Staff were reminded how to report concerns.

During 2026/27, we intend to continue mandatory training and maintain completion records.

Measuring effectiveness

We monitor, or will introduce monitoring of, the following indicators:

  • The percentage of relevant employees completing modern-slavery training;
  • The percentage of material or higher-risk suppliers assessed;
  • The number of suppliers asked to provide compliance evidence;
  • The number and nature of concerns reported;
  • The time taken to investigate and resolve concerns;
  • Corrective actions completed by suppliers or franchisees;
  • Any confirmed incidents and the remediation provided to affected workers.

We recognise that no reported incidents does not, by itself, prove that no modern slavery risk exists.

Priorities for 2026/27

Our priorities for the next reporting period are to:

  • Complete a documented risk assessment of material suppliers;
  • Strengthen supplier onboarding and contractual requirements;
  • Provide targeted training to relevant employees and franchise-support personnel;
  • Issue clear ethical expectations to the franchise network;
  • Establish measurable annual performance indicators;
  • Review reporting and escalation procedures; and
  • Report transparently on progress, identified concerns and remedial action.

Approval

This statement covers the financial year 1 January 2026 to 31st December 2026. It was approved by the board of directors of Major Oak Ventures Ltd on 4th January 2026.

Signed:

Ashley Ford
………………………………………
Ashley Ford, Director
Major Oak Ventures Ltd
4th January 2026