As a family-run business, and boutique player in the UK and international market, Boodles has historically relied on our trusted suppliers to identify and mitigate against human rights risks. We recognise, however, that there is more we can do to ensure our suppliers are sourcing materials in an ethical and sustainable manner, aligned with our values of integrity and honesty instilled across Boodles since our inception in 1798.

Since Human Rights Watch approached us in March 2017, we have engaged in several open and constructive discussions about our supply chain. We have also taken important steps to ensure ongoing ethical materials sourcing, such as revising our Vendor Agreement and Code of Conduct to make sure they remain robust and fit for purpose. These will now require requiring all regular vendors to undertake comprehensive third-party audits and share these results with Boodles for review. We are also committed to greater transparency – our Code of Conduct will be shared publicly on our website, as will our first Sustainability Report (anticipated for 2019) detailing current compliance, development areas and proposed next steps.

Boodles is committed to ensuring ethical and sustainable sourcing of materials, and we will continue to review our procedures to ensure they reflect industry best practice.