Modern slavery statement

ZPG Limited 

Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for the 2022 Financial Year 

We are committed to improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking. We have  published this group statement in accordance with section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015  (the“Act”) on behalf of ZPG Limited and the following subsidiaries: Inspop.com Limited, Uswitch  Limited and Zoopla Limited (“we”, “us”or “our”). The statement is also made on behalf of certain  additional subsidiaries of our group that, while not falling under the scope of the Act, recognise the  importance of a group-wide approach to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in supply  chains. It sets out the steps we have taken during the year to prevent modern slavery and human  trafficking in our supply chains and in our business generally. 

Our Structure, Business and Supply Chain 

We own and operate some of the UK’s most trusted digital platforms including Bankrate, Hometrack,  Money.co.uk, Confused.com, Mojo Mortgages, Alto, PrimeLocation, Tempcover, Uswitch and Zoopla. 

We create value by investing in marketing our brands and growing our audiences, and by developing  the best products and platforms in order to engage our consumers and partners. 

Consumers increasingly use and rely on our platforms in search of real-time information about the  property and comparison markets. Similarly, property professionals, lenders, intermediaries and home  services suppliers use our platforms to reach a transactionready audience and market their products  and services. 

Our supply chains include the following: 

  • Facilities: maintenance and cleaning services. 
  • Marketing: media advertising and market research services. 
  • People: recruitment and training services. 
  • Professional services: advisory and consultancy services. 
  • Technology: external data centres, data providers, IT infrastructure, hardware providers,  cyber security services and software suppliers. 

Our Policies in relation to Slavery and Human Trafficking 

We respect human rights and the integrity of individuals. We comply with all relevant laws in the way  we run our businesses. 

We have in place a whistleblowing policy which applies to relevant employees, officers, consultants,  casual workers and agency workers in the group. This “Speak Up” policy encourages everyone  working for us to report any malpractice or illegal acts, including suspicion of modern slavery and  human trafficking, or omissions or matters of similar concern by other employees or former  employees, contractors, suppliers, partners or advisers using a prescribed reporting procedure. 

We engage an external and independent third party based in the UK to provide a reporting facility for  individuals to bring these areas of concern to our attention in a secure and confidential manner. This  facility includes access to a 24/7 confidential whistleblowing telephone line. 

We are also committed to conducting our businesses ethically and lawfully which includes ensuring,  as far as possible, that any third parties who act for us share this commitment. The company’s  “Working with Third Parties” policy is in place to help to identify and mitigate risks associated with 

the third parties who perform services for us or on our behalf. This includes guidance on undertaking  appropriate due diligence on existing or prospective third parties based on identifiable risks. 

We have groupwide template clauses which are included in appropriate contracts to allow  contracting parties to formally acknowledge, commit to and abide by applicable antislavery and  human trafficking legislation. 

Due Diligence and Contracting Practices 

We conduct due diligence on our suppliers by requesting information from them (which includes  information about the steps they take to ensure there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in  their business or supply chains). We keep our due diligence processes under regular review. 

We consider key suppliers’ responses to our due diligence requests as part of our decisionmaking  processes when it comes to using new suppliers. We take appropriate action and, if necessary, delay  or cancel appointing a new supplier unless the supplier’s systems and controls are satisfactory. 

Assessing and Managing Risk 

Due to the nature of our businesses, our supply chains are limited and we operate with only a small  number of suppliers. 

Nevertheless, we select some of our key suppliers based on ethical certifications (some of which – for  example, the Fairtrade certification – impose obligations on suppliers to eliminate modern slavery).  These suppliers must provide evidence of their ethical certification before we conclude contracts with  them. 

We also seek contractual assurances from key suppliers in relation to modern slavery and human  trafficking compliance, particularly where those suppliers operate in, or make us part of, supply chains  which present higher risks of modern slavery or human trafficking. 

Policies 

We have continued to provide advice and guidance to the relevant commercial teams with direct  responsibility for entering into supplier contracts. 

We comply with all relevant employment legislation and have a number of policies that adhere to  internationally recognised human rights principles including: 

  • Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy; 
  • Working with Third Parties Policy; and 
  • Speak-Up Policy. 

Effectiveness 

ZPG has implemented targets and key performance indicators across the business for compliance  with the Act to measure the effectiveness of the steps being taken. These include: Reviewing any investigations undertaken into reports of modern slavery (including any  concerns raised under the “Speak Up” policy) and actions taken in response. For FY22, no  reports were received through the independent whistleblowing service; 

  • Reviewing our centralised supplier due diligence for effectiveness across our top suppliers;  and 
  • Reviewing staff training levels on modern slavery risks for key team members.

Training  

All employees receive induction training including an outline of our key policies. Key policies are  hosted on our intranet sites and employees are reminded of their responsibilities. Where relevant,  compliance related matters are highlighted to all employees through our regular employee  communication channels.  

Our commitment  

We are committed to continuously improving our practices to identify and eliminate any slavery and  human trafficking in our business and supply chains, and to acting ethically and with integrity in all of  our business relationships.  

We use a wide range of suppliers who supply goods for sale, provide services at events, and support  our operations.  

Approval  

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes the  group’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 December 2022. It  was approved by the board on 12 May 2023.  

Charles Bryant

Director, ZPG Limited

Date: 12 May 2023

*Inspop.com Limited, Zoopla Limited and Uswitch Limited fall within the scope of section 54(2) of the Act

 

22 May 2022

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