This Modern Slavery Statement is made in accordance with section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. It sets out the steps taken by BKL (being all legal entities and brands within the Bridge Topco UK Limited group) during the year ending 31 March 2025 to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains.
BKL is committed to upholding human rights and tackling modern slavery risks. Guided by our values as a purpose-driven, B Corp-certified organisation, we recognise the importance of transparency and proactive engagement in addressing these global issues.
This statement outlines:
- The procedures we have in place to identify and mitigate modern slavery risks in our business, client relationships, and supply chains.
- The actions we plan to take to further strengthen these controls in the coming year.
About BKL
BKL is a UK-based accountancy, tax, and advisory firm, operating solely within the UK. We do not have overseas offices or subsidiaries.
We employ approximately 450 qualified professionals and support staff under fair and transparent employment terms. While we consider the risk of modern slavery within our own operations to be low, we remain vigilant to risks in:
- Our supply chain – particularly in areas such as facilities management, IT procurement, and offshore outsourcing, where exploitation risks may be more prevalent deeper in the value chain.
- Our client work – especially in higher-risk sectors, where we engage constructively with clients to raise awareness and promote ethical practices.
Our Commitment
As a people-focused business, we are committed to championing human dignity, ethical practices, and the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
We do not assume that any organisation is immune from modern slavery risks. Our aim is not to assert that all risks have been eliminated, but to take meaningful steps to prevent, detect, and address them.
We assess risks across our operations, suppliers, and clients, recognising our influence in promoting responsible business practices through our professional relationships. Our approach is guided by the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the ethical and professional standards expected of ICAEW member firms.
Policies and Governance
To support our approach, we have implemented a range of policies, including:
- Modern Slavery Policy – Defines our position on identifying and managing risks.
- Whistleblowing Policy – Enables employees to raise concerns, including those related to unethical or exploitative practices.
- Supplier Code of Conduct – Sets out the standards we require of suppliers, including compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and confirms that breaches may result in termination of contracts.
- Good Work Code – Provides a values-based framework for ethical decision-making in client onboarding.
All policies are reviewed regularly to reflect evolving risks and best practice.
Due Diligence and Risk Assessment
Suppliers
We undertake risk-based due diligence on all new suppliers during onboarding, including:
- Confirmation of adherence to our Supplier Code of Conduct.
- Completion of a self-assessment questionnaire covering labour practices and modern slavery compliance.
Suppliers identified as higher risk—based on sector, geography, or other factors—are subject to enhanced assessment. We will not engage with suppliers who fail to meet our ethical standards.
Clients
Our client onboarding process incorporates risk assessments, including targeted questions to identify potential modern slavery risks.
We take a collaborative approach, particularly with SMEs, by providing guidance and support where modern slavery risks may not be fully understood or addressed. This forms part of our broader advisory work and reflects our commitment to responsible business.
Training and Awareness
All employees complete mandatory modern slavery training during onboarding, with annual refresher sessions thereafter. Training is updated in response to regulatory changes, internal process updates, or emerging risk areas.
Our client take-on (CTO) procedures also include targeted modern slavery risk assessment questions to support informed decision-making among client-facing teams.
We provide resources such as reporting procedures, case studies, and information packs through internal learning platforms. Our whistleblowing mechanism is regularly reviewed to ensure colleagues feel supported in recognising and reporting concerns.
Measuring Effectiveness
We are committed to continuous improvement and will assess the effectiveness of our actions through:
- Annual reviews of key policies and procedures.
- Tracking completion rates of mandatory training.
- Monitoring supplier and client due diligence processes, including outcomes and follow-up actions.
- Reviewing the effectiveness of whistleblowing procedures, including concerns raised and lessons learned.
- Engaging with our ESG working group and other stakeholders to gather feedback and drive continuous improvement.
Findings will be reported internally and used to enhance our processes in future years.
Approval
This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes BKL’s modern slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 March 2025.
