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, cloud and advisory services, industry solutions and design-led experiences across the Microsoft ecosystem. Every day, our 56,000 professionals in 26 countries make a genuine human impact for our clients, their employees and their customers. We are a people first company, committed to providing an inclusive workplace where employees feel comfortable being their authentic selves. As a responsible business, we are building a sustainable world and helping young people from underrepresented communities fulfill their potential. 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 three core values - We have a Passion for Technology and Innovate with Purpose, We Deliver with Excellence, We Believe Everyone Counts. 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 believe everyone counts” 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 £21.8 million supply chain and buys goods and services every year from approximately 156 suppliers, some of whom Avanade UK has a direct contractual relationship with. About 62% 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. More information is available in Accenture’s Modern Slavery Act Statement.
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 26 January 2022.
Signed for and on behalf of Avanade UK Limited
