Modern Slavery Act Statement
This statement sets out the steps Avanade UK1 is taking to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in any of our supply chains or in any part of our own business.
This statement is made by Avanade UK in accordance with the requirements of section 54(2) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Transparency in Supply Chains) Regulations 2015.
Introduction: Avanade’s global business
Avanade is the leading provider of innovative digital and cloud services, business solutions and design-led experiences on the Microsoft ecosystem. Our professionals bring bold, fresh thinking combined with technology, business and industry expertise to help make a human impact on our clients, their customers and their employees. We are the power behind the Accenture Microsoft Business Group, helping companies to engage customers, empower employees, optimize operations and transform products, leveraging the Microsoft platform. Avanade has 39,000 professionals in 25 countries, bringing clients our best thinking through a collaborative culture that honours diversity and reflects the communities in which we operate. Majority owned by Accenture, Avanade was founded in 2000 by Accenture LLP and Microsoft Corporation. Learn more at www.avanade.com
Avanade’s commitment to human rights
Avanade is committed to support and respect internationally proclaimed human rights.
Avanade’s commitment to doing business ethically and legally is the foundation for the company’s global culture, which is shaped by our five core values - We Believe Everyone Counts, We Act with Integrity and Respect, We Change Things for the Better, We Innovate with Passion and Purpose, We Deliver with Excellence. This commitment is manifested in Avanade’s Code of Business Ethics and its compliance programmes. Our approach is based on a framework to ensure we meet our legal obligations and human rights commitments. This framework includes the visible support of our senior leadership, regular risk assessments, written standards and controls (including global and local policies), ongoing training and communications, and auditing, monitoring and response procedures. We have zero tolerance for violations of applicable law.
“We Act with Integrity and Respect” means fostering a trusting, open and inclusive environment within the company and treating each person we deal with in a manner that reflects Avanade’s values. This core value underpins Avanade’s commitment to the elimination of slavery and human trafficking. We expect all our people to treat each other, and those we deal with, respectfully and with dignity. We do not tolerate physical violence, threats, corporal punishment, mental coercion, verbal abuse, disrespectful behavior, bullying or harassment of any kind.
We actively encourage our people to raise ethical and legal concerns, including any concerns about human rights issues, and we make multiple channels available for them to do so - including anonymously, where legally permitted. We also stress that we have zero tolerance for retaliation against anyone who speaks up in good faith. Avanade investigates any potential human rights breach it becomes aware of and seeks to appropriately remedy or mitigate those breaches.
Avanade UK’s supply chain
Avanade UK has a £23 million supply chain and buys goods and services every year from approximately 155 suppliers, some of whom Avanade UK has a direct contractual relationship with. About 72% of Avanade UK’s spend is on individual contractors supplied onto client projects. Accenture (UK) Limited manages the majority of Avanade UK’s purchases for goods and services via their existing supplier agreements, in addition to providing access to their overseas network of specialist IT consultant resources. Avanade continues to work with Accenture to understand the steps that it is taking to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in any of Accenture’s supply chains.
Avanade’s Code of Business Ethics
Avanade is committed to conducting its business free from unlawful, unethical or fraudulent activity. Suppliers are expected to act (and to procure that any Individual acts) in a manner consistent with the ethical and professional standards of Avanade as set out in the Avanade Code of Business Ethics.
Avanade has established reporting mechanisms and prohibits retaliation or other adverse action for reporting violations of these standards. Serious concerns can be reported by calling the Avanade Business Ethics Line at 0808 234 2204, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (charges can be reversed), emailing ethicsandcompliance@avanade.com or by visiting the encrypted website.
Looking ahead
Avanade UK is always looking to improve in this area and it continues to review its human rights efforts, as well as best practices in the marketplace, to understand how we can further strengthen our commitment to ensure slavery and human trafficking are not taking place within our organization or our supply chains.
The board of directors of Avanade UK has approved this statement to be signed on its behalf by Andy Gillett as its designated director and the information in this statement is accurate as of 22 January 2021.
Signed for and on behalf of Avanade UK Limited
