Modern slavery statement

ZPG Limited  

Slavery and human trafficking statement for the 2023 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 (but not  limited to): 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 transaction‐ ready 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 group-wide template clauses which are included in appropriate contracts to allow  contracting parties to formally acknowledge, commit to and abide by applicable anti slavery 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 decision  making 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 that 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 FY23, 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 31st of December 2023. It was approved by the board on May 9, 2024.

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