Statement on slavery and human trafficking
This statement is made in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the way FremantleMedia Group Limited and FremantleMedia Limited (“Fremantle”, “Company” and “we”) we ensure that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business or supply chain.
There were no specific modern slavery concerns raised across our business or our supply chain during this financial year.
Our Structure and Values
Fremantle is a private limited company and is part of RTL Group SA, a leader across broadcast, content and digital, and ultimately owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, a global media giant comprising of the world’s largest book publisher Penguin Random House and leading music company, BMG. Our operations are managed through various subsidiary companies, joint venture partnerships and minority stake holdings in several independent television production companies.
As an independent group of talents, studios, producers, content makers, creative incubators, culture shapers and game changers operating in 26 territories, our business is wide-ranging including TV sales and distribution, channels, production, live events, and licensed consumer products. We have been creating, producing, distributing, and investing in scripted and non-scripted content across a range of genres for over 100 years. We consistently reach audiences in 180 countries globally via both traditional TV and digital platforms. We are a world leader in digital and branded entertainment, with more than 300 million subscribers across 1,400 social channels and over 100 billion views across all platforms.
Our people are at the heart of what we do. Our ethos of creativity, curiosity and connectivity is embedded throughout the Company and our culture, globally. We are committed to upholding the human rights of those who work with us.
Business, Supply Chain and Supplier Commitments
Entrepreneurial responsibility, integrity and acting responsibly in our business dealings and relationships are essential elements of our corporate culture. We aspire to be commercially successful whilst holding the highest ethical standards and ensuring comprehensive compliance with all relevant legislation and regulation by working together.
Our relationships with our employees, suppliers and business partners are based on mutual respect and trust. Being a reputable and safe business to work with is a core value for Fremantle as a whole and we pride ourselves on maintaining strong, honest, and flexible relationships with our consumers, investors and suppliers which continue to remain a key focus.
During this financial year, Fremantle undertook several secure procurement initiatives to safeguard both the business from potential issues. This work, to protect Fremantle, its suppliers and customers and other stakeholders, continues globally through Fremantle’s commitment to secure administrative practices, internal audit and monitoring risk and compliance throughout the business.
Fremantle acknowledges the necessity to remain vigilant to the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking. It is vital that those within our supply chain play their part equally. To this end, we have a robust supplier set up process when engaging with new suppliers, contractors, or business partners to ensure they are aware of the risks and that they uphold the same core values and standards as we do. We require those we do business with to have appropriate Modern Slavery Act compliance terms and conditions in place in their own supply chains.
Training of Staff
We provide employees and management with training on a range of compliance matters which will include their obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, particularly in relation to mitigating risks within supply chains. FMG also ensures that such training is provided to employees of subsidiary companies where relevant.
Our Policies
Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking and our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy is approved by the Board. It applies to all persons working for us, or on our behalf, in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners. Other policies, e.g., our Code of Conduct, reflect and contribute to our commitment to implement and enforce effective systems, due diligence, and controls to ensure modern slavery or human trafficking does not take place anywhere in our own businesses or in our supply chain.
Good governance remains a major focus for the Directors to ensure that the business, including all UK and overseas subsidiaries, meet local legislative requirements and best practice through their own policies. We have robust systems in place to identify and assess potential risk areas, which include steps to monitor and mitigate any areas of or at risk of non-compliance within our supply chain. The Directors conduct an annual review of all policies continuing to improve and strengthen accountability and transparency and bolster the governance, compliance, and risk management teams across the business.
Raising Concerns
Our whistleblowing procedures provide a process through which any concerns may be raised and escalated confidentially to senior management by employees, freelancers and third parties carrying out work for Fremantle. Concerns raised via our whistle-blowing procedure are monitored closely and are followed up appropriately.
Training
We provide employees, freelancers and management with induction and continuous training on our on a range of compliance matters and our Code of Conduct which provides support around making day-to day ethical decisions which include obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, particularly in relation to mitigating risks within supply chains. Fremantle also ensures that such training is provided to employees of subsidiary companies. Training completion rates are monitored closely.
Risk Assessment
Fremantle carries out an annual risk assessment relating to modern slavery and human trafficking and the risk assessment is shared with the Fremantle Risk and Compliance Committee. The risk shows that the business does not operate in a high-risk industry nor in a high-risk jurisdiction and this, combined with the well-developed practices, procedures and due diligence checks we have in place results in a very low risk of slavery and human trafficking within our sector and business operations.
Due Diligence
To prevent slavery and trafficking in our business and supply chain, we continue to improve our supplier due diligence process and remain alert to identify and assess potential risk areas, including steps to monitor and mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking from occurring. The risk of slavery and human trafficking is a key element of whether we engage with suppliers, or not. Our suppliers must agree to robust terms and conditions around compliance with anti-slavery legislation to work with us.
Board approval
Fremantle is committed to ongoing review of its policies, procedures, and operational practices in relation to modern slavery and human trafficking and will update this statement on an annual basis. We will continue to raise awareness of modern slavery risks and monitor the effectiveness of our controls of preventing modern slavery within our business operations and supply chains.
This statement has been approved by the Board of Directors on 15th May 2023.
Jennifer Mullin
Chief Executive Officer