Legal and Governance : Modern Slavery Statement

AUB is a specialist university providing education in art, design, media, performance, and related creative disciplines. We have approximately 3,980 students and employ around 454 staff, supported by visiting tutors and casual workers as needed. Our campus is located in Wallisdown, Bournemouth.

We are structured into four Schools:

• School of Art and Communication
• School of Design and Architecture
• Bournemouth Film School
• School of Arts, Media and Creative Industries Management

We also provide an extensive programme of short courses and pre-degree study through AUB Academy.

AUB is an exempt charity regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). We have one subsidiary company:

• AUB Enterprise Ltd
• and an associated charity, The AUB Charitable Foundation.

Our annual consolidated turnover is approximately £51.6 million, with the majority of income generated in the UK.

AUB is a values-led institution. We promote a supportive and equitable community that prioritises social justice, wellbeing, and respect for people and the planet. We are committed to ensuring that our activities, employment practices, and procurement decisions do not contribute to human rights abuses or exploitation.

Our approach is underpinned by a range of policies that support ethical practice, including:

• Purchasing and Procurement Procedures
• Ethical Investment Policy
• Recruitment Policy
• Safeguarding Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
• Dignity at Work Policy
• Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures
• Whistleblowing (Public Interest Disclosure) Policy

Modern slavery is a standing consideration within our Environment and Sustainability governance framework.

We mitigate the risk of modern slavery in our workforce through:

• Robust recruitment and right-to-work checks
• Standardised, transparent pay frameworks aligned to UCEA national bargaining
• Commitment to applying Living Wage standards to directly employed staff and working with contractors to do the same
• Requirements that recruitment agencies meet all UK employment legislation

We have policies supporting staff wellbeing, equality, and safe working practices.

AUB sources a wide range of goods and services, including:

• Construction and estates services
• ICT equipment
• Catering, cleaning, and security services
• Furniture, teaching materials, and creative equipment

The majority of our first-tier suppliers are UK-based, but we recognise that global supply chains, particularly for ICT, construction, food, clothing, and textiles, can present higher risks.

We continue to purchase goods and services through recognised purchasing consortia, including:

• Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC)
• Crown Commercial Service (CCS)
• Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC)
• The Energy Consortium (TEC)

These consortia have published commitments to combating modern slavery and embed due diligence processes into procurement frameworks across the sector.

AUB continues to support Fairtrade product sourcing, improving transparency and working conditions in relevant supply chains.

We require suppliers and contractors to:

• Comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015
• Maintain transparent and auditable supply chains
• Confirm steps taken to identify and address risks

Our standard terms and conditions include clauses prohibiting modern slavery and human trafficking. Where appropriate, we request evidence of compliance and corrective action plans.

Staff with responsibility for procurement, finance, HR, and campus operations receive ongoing training on:

• Ethical supply chain management
• Safeguarding and reporting of concerns
• Legal compliance under the Modern Slavery Act

Modern slavery awareness continues to be embedded across policy work and committee oversight.

We'll continue to:

• Strengthen supplier monitoring and risk assessment
• Increase the use of accredited and transparent supply chain sources
• Expand awareness training across wider staff groups
• Develop reporting and escalation mechanisms for concerns

We're aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

This statement was approved by the Board of Governors and is signed on its behalf by:

Simon Hamilton
Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee
November 2025