Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Introduction

This statement relates to the financial year ending 31 July 2026.

This statement, made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, constitutes the University’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement setting out the steps that University of Staffordshire takes to combat modern slavery in our supply chain.

We are committed to improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking throughout our supply chains or in any part of the University’s Business. Our Procurement policies and practices will reflect our commitment to acting sustainably, ethically and with integrity.

Organisational structure 

University of Staffordshire’s core business is teaching and research in the Higher Education sector. It has a student population of approximately 9,000 in a wide range of subject areas, comprising academic schools and an Institute supported by professional services. In 2025/26 the University employed around 1,254 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff with a mix of full time and part time academic, administrative, technical and support staff.

The University had an annual turnover of £144 million (2025/26) of which c£57 million was spent on goods and services to support the running of the University. There has been a planned capital expenditure programme of £13.2m over the year to improve student facilities, with further developments planned in the coming years. The University has a centralised procurement and contracting function supporting procurement activity, with purchasing devolved down to individual schools and functions.

Our Supply Chains

Our supply chain includes many diverse suppliers, including providers of goods, services and works that directly support research and teaching activity, for example, student computer equipment, library services including books and online services, and suppliers of goods and services not directly related to these activities such as estate maintenance.

 Our requirements are from several categories which have been identified as ‘high risk’ in terms of the potential for slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour, and human trafficking.

 These include, but are not limited to: 

• Hospitality and Catering
• Information Communication and Technology Equipment and Services (IT)
• Construction
• Clothing.

 Our aims in relation to Modern Slavery are as follows:

• To ensure our supply chain is aware of our policy regarding the Modern Slavery Act
• To promote best practice on approaches to Modern Slavery awareness throughout our supply chains
• To report on non-compliance identified within our supply chain and actions taken

 Many of our suppliers in these higher-risk categories have committed to the Base Code of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). The ETI Base Code is founded on the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and is an internationally recognised code of labour practice.

As a user of a variety of external framework contracts we continue to work closely with our locally based procurement consortium, the North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC), to manage risk through contract management processes.  Through this Consortium we are also members of Electronics Watch which provided detailed information and risk assessments concerning products manufactured in areas at higher risk of forced labour.

Our Policies and Processes on slavery and human trafficking

We have embedded our commitment to compliance with the Modern Slavery Act within our Sustainable Procurement Policy. This policy provides guidance on how we deliver all our procurement activity. 

We have embedded consideration of the Modern Slavery Act in our procurement process from the Standard Selection Questionnaire and Invitation to Tender documents through to contract management.

We request Modern Slavery statements for organisations with a turnover exceeding £36 million per annum. For expenditure in high-risk categories, we ask how the company addresses compliance to the Modern Slavery Act as well as supplementary questions to ensure compliance.

We have embedded our commitment to all members of staff within University Policies that include Equality, Diversity, Health and Wellbeing and Bullying and Harassment.

Supplier adherence to our values

We have zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking. Any supplier or potential supplier who does not adhere to these values or is found not to be compliant will be suspended and removed from the University supplier list and will not be considered for future supply unless and until they are able to demonstrate full compliance with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act.

Measures in place

• Ensure that Modern Slavery is considered at the start of every procurement project.
• Ensure that Modern Slavery is highlighted in the Invitation to Tender documents issued to bidders.
• Procurement staff have refreshed training on Modern Slavery.
• Identified major suppliers from expenditure classified as High Risk in line with H.E. Commodity Code analysis.
• Continue to develop Modern Slavery awareness amongst colleagues working with Procurement across the University.
• Continue to work with peers across the sector to share and learn on the best practices in tackling Modern Slavery.

This Statement was approved by the University Executive Board on 12^th October 2026 and signed on its behalf by Steve Rimell, Chief Finance Officer.

Steve Rimell