Introduction
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (‘LSHTM’) is committed to improving our practices with the aim of combatting slavery and human trafficking within its supply chains.
This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“Transparency in supply chains etc”) and constitutes the LSHTM’s anti-slavery and human trafficking statement under Section 54 for the financial year ending 31 July 2025.
Organisational structure
LSHTM is a world-leading centre for research and postgraduate education in public and global health.
Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.
LSHTM employs around 3,300 staff, many of whom are field based in international settings. LSHTM is made up of 3 faculties and 2 Medical Research Council Units supported by 14 Professional Service Departments: organisation chart (pdf).
LSHTM is a Royal Charter organisation and holds charitable status. It is governed by Council and managed by the School Leadership Team, chaired by the Director.
LSHTM policy on slavery and human trafficking
We are committed to improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking and support the UK Government’s approach to implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
In implementing this approach LSHTM supports the Base Code of the Ethical Trading Initiative. This Base Code is an internationally recognised code of labour practice requiring that:
- Employment is freely chosen.
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected.
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic.
- Child labour shall not be used.
- Living wages are paid
- Working hours are not excessive.
- No discrimination is practiced.
- Regular employment is provided.
- No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed.
LSHTM’s supply chain
Our procurement activities take place globally due to the worldwide nature of our research projects, however the core of our contractors and suppliers are predominantly UK and EU based. LSHTM purchases a variety of goods and services from a diverse portfolio of suppliers and across a number of categories:
- Estate & Facilities – Goods & Services
- IT Equipment & Services
- Library Resources
- Professional Services
- Laboratory Consumables & Equipment
Analysis of spend against these categories informs the due diligence activities and future risk management approach for LSHTM.
LSHTM also undertakes a significant amount work in collaboration with research partners. This will be included in LSHTM’s approach to due diligence in relation to its obligations under the Act.
Due diligence
We carried out due diligence through two routes, as a member of the London University Purchasing Consortium (LUPC)
- We assess suppliers against industry standards either by membership of schemes such as CIPS Sustainability Index (CSI) (managed by CIPS) or NetPostives, or by evidence of equivalent processes and procedures provided as part of a tender process.
- We are encouraging suppliers to engage with tools such as CSI in order to monitor and assess their status more effectively. As a member of LUPC we are affiliated to Electronics Watch, the independent monitoring organisation that aims to help public sector organisations work together to meet their responsibility to protect the labour rights and safety of workers in global electronics supply chains more effectively than any single public buyer could accomplish on its own.
We also carry out internal due diligence on research partners.
We did not receive any reports of instances of modern slavery or human trafficking in the financial year ending 31 July 2025.
We will continue to raise awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking and of the need for proper due diligence and risk assessment processes to be applied by staff and suppliers, in accordance with its policy.
Completed activities
- The proportion of suppliers and contracts that have been awarded though tendering processes that include assessment of Modern Slavery Act Compliance and with relevant contract terms has continued to increase this year.
Future activities
- We will continue to apply due diligence to the supply chain utilising the supply review process built into our tendering processes.
The activities for LSHTM for 2025-2026 will focus on improving the essential processes for supplier review and onboarding in respect of modern slavery and human trafficking as well as the wider sustainability developments.
- The assessment of LSHTM suppliers will continue, focusing on non-framework suppliers, to examine the suitability of contractual terms and commitments in respect of modern slavery and human trafficking. The contractual terms for lower value services contracts will be reviewed and updated to include suitable terms addressing modern slavery and human trafficking.
- We will work to implement a more robust supplier assessment and onboarding process for addressing modern slavery and human trafficking through the new finance system implementation project.
- Procurement staff involved in the purchasing of high-risk categories will receive advance training on identifying and assessing Modern Day Slavery risks with the supply chain.
This statement has been approved and published by LSHTM Council on 25 November 2025 and will be reviewed at least once annually.