Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement

This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and outlines the steps Christopher Ward ("CW") is taking to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains.

 

Our Business

Christopher Ward is a British-Swiss watchmaker operating a direct‑to‑consumer retail model, with a growing presence of showrooms in the UK and US. We design our watches in the UK and work with a network of long‑term manufacturing and component partners across the UK, Europe and Asia, alongside UK‑based warehousing and fulfilment operations.

We are committed to acting ethically and responsibly and recognise the importance of protecting workers’ rights throughout our supply chain.

 

Our Supply Chain and Risk Approach

Our supply chain is built on long‑standing relationships with “Tier 1” established partners. We take a proportionate, risk‑based approach to assessing modern slavery risk, informed by International Labour Organization (ILO) standards and focusing on:

  • Geographic risk, with enhanced scrutiny of suppliers operating in higher‑risk regions, particularly parts of Asia
  • Independent audits, including SA8000 or SMETA where available
  • Direct engagement including site visits by senior Christopher Ward leadership

At present, no Tier 1 suppliers are classified as high risk. Some Asian suppliers are subject to increased monitoring due to geographic factors. If concerns are identified, follow-up visits and audit reviews will be carried out to provide reassurance that appropriate standards and safeguards are in place.

 

Policies and Due Diligence

CW is strengthening its governance framework and will introduce a Supplier Code of Conduct aligned with ILO conventions and Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) Base Code principles. This will set clear expectations on forced labour, working hours, wages, health and safety, freedom of association and the protection of young workers.

We are also implementing a more formal supplier onboarding process, including internal approval by senior supply chain leadership where recognised third‑party certifications are not already in place.

 

Continuous Improvement and Approval

This statement reflects an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. Over the next reporting period, we will finalise our Supplier Code of Conduct, strengthen oversight of labour providers and explore opportunities for worker training and NGO partnerships.

This statement has been approved by the Holdings Board of Christopher Ward and will be reviewed annually.