Modern slavery statement for the year ending 31 March 2026
Introduction
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» (‘the Society’) is committed to taking the appropriate measures to reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking taking place in our organisation or our supply chains. This statement is made pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes the Society’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ended 31 March 2026.
Our organisation
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, commonly known as Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», was founded in 1660 and incorporated by Royal Charter, and is a registered charity in England and Wales. The Society has two wholly owned subsidiaries, Royal Society Trading Limited and Royal Society (London) Ltd. Royal Society Trading Limited was dormant throughout the year ended 31 March 2026.
The Society is an independent Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering, and medicine. Fellows and Foreign Members from across the globe are elected based on the excellence of their science. The Society’s fundamental purpose, as it has been since its foundation, is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. The Society’s strategic priorities emphasise its commitment to the highest quality science, to curiosity-driven research, and to the development and use of science for the benefit of society.
As a national academy, the Society represents the UK and collaborates with international partners to advocate for science and its benefits. It provides authoritative and independent advice on matters of science that support the public good, including policies that promote excellent science and scientific issues that inform public policy. It also organises scientific conferences and publishes scientific journals.
The Society’s supply chain
The Society engages suppliers to provide services to support in operational activities. The key areas in which we engage suppliers are:
- Facilities management;
- Information technology;
- Catering and events management;
- Finance; and
- Legal and investments.
Assessing and Managing Risk
The Directors of the teams named above have delegated responsibility for assessing and managing the relevant risks in their respective areas, drawing on guidance and reflecting on issues associated with any change in business practice. Overall ownership for risk in this area is delegated by Council to the Executive Director.
Policies
The Society keeps its policies and adds measures to minimise the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in our organisation and our supply chain under review. Our key policies and procedures include:
- Procurement policy which sets out requirements for ethical procurement and the standards required of the suppliers we work with;
- Whistleblowing policy which encourages staff to report concerns including any related to modern slavery and human trafficking; and
- HR procedures which cover procedures to ensure that our staff have the appropriate right to work documents and ensures they are paid fairly;
- Harassment and Bullying Policy and our new (Prevention of) Sexual Harassment Policy which deal with principles of fairness and accountability and tools available for staff to address concerns
All of the Society’s policies have a relevant policy owner assigned and are formally reviewed at least every three years. Changes in the landscape are continually monitored and policies are continually reviewed in this regard to ensure they remain effective and appropriate.
When recruiting new employees, we ensure that they have the right to work in the UK. We are proud to pay the London Living Wage or UK Living Wage to all employees and contractors; this is a voluntary commitment above the National Living Wage set by the government, which is the minimum wage for over-21s.
Due diligence processes
The Society undertakes checks as part of the vetting process for new suppliers which are considered to be operating in a high-risk context and has methods of monitoring the due diligence assessment undertaken, including a schedule for routinely checking that high risk suppliers continue to comply. These checks include ensuring suppliers have appropriate policies in place, their compliance with applicable law and whether they adopt certain best practice recommendations.
This process is carried out by the Society’s procurement team and are reviewed on an ongoing basis for efficiencies and improvements.
Training
The procurement team attends regular training sessions which include updates on regulatory requirements and provides examples of best practice.
The HR Team attends regular training sessions that include requirements on understanding the right to work in the UK and related issues.
All new joiners attend an induction session which includes information and training on relevant policies, which include measures to minimise the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking where appropriate.
Monitoring and evaluation
The effects of measures detailed in this statement are kept under review by the relevant teams and, where relevant issues arise, are reported by exception to Council.
Continuous improvement
The statement has been reviewed annually since 2019, reflecting specific changes in approach (for instance, the Society’s approach to the London and UK Living Wages was introduced in 2025 and has since been included in the statement). The Society will make a systematic review of its approach and the statement in the coming year.
Approval
This statement has been formally approved by the Council members of the Society and signed on their behalf by Sir Paul Nurse, President of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», on 7 July 2026.
Next review date of the statement: July 2027