Costrick Confidential Ethics Hotline for Suppliers

Version 1.1 / August 2025 / Business-to-Business Platform / English

Welcome to Our Ethics Hotline

At Costrick Ltd, a company registered in Scotland (company number SC806470) at 6 Ristol Road, Glasgow, G13 1UY, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity in all our operations. As a B2B platform connecting convenience store retailers and wholesalers across the UK, we recognize the importance of a transparent and accountable supply chain. To support this, we have implemented a confidential Ethics Hotline as part of our commitment to our Code of Ethics, Supplier Code of Conduct, and relevant legal and ethical policies.

This hotline is a secure, independent tool available exclusively for suppliers who have reason to believe that a Costrick employee or another supplier is in violation of these policies. It is not intended for transactional issues, such as deliveries, payments, or order disputes—please direct those to our standard vendor support at costrickcloud@gmail.com. Reports submitted through the hotline are handled with the utmost confidentiality and anonymity, ensuring you can raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

Our Ethics Hotline aligns with UK regulations, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and international standards like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. By using this channel, you help us maintain a fair, ethical, and sustainable ecosystem for all stakeholders. For suspected victims of modern slavery, we support referrals to the UK’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM), as outlined in the UK Government’s guidance (www.gov.uk/government/collections/modern-slavery).

Why Use the Ethics Hotline?

We encourage suppliers to report potential violations promptly to prevent issues from escalating and to foster a culture of trust and accountability. The hotline is particularly useful for addressing:

  • Policy Violations: Breaches of our Code of Ethics or Supplier Code of Conduct, including conflicts of interest, improper gifts, or misuse of confidential information.
  • Legal and Regulatory Issues: Suspected non-compliance with antitrust laws, anti-bribery regulations (e.g., UK Bribery Act), insider trading restrictions, accounting irregularities, or health, safety, and environmental standards.
  • Human Rights Concerns: Instances of modern slavery, forced labour, child labour, discrimination, harassment, or unsafe working conditions in our supply chain.
  • Personal Misconduct: Issues involving Costrick employees or supplier staff, such as discrimination, sexual harassment, or unethical business practices.

Reports can be submitted anonymously if preferred, and we prohibit any form of retaliation against good-faith reporters. This tool empowers you to contribute to an ethical supply chain, protecting our shared reputation and ensuring compliance.

How to Report

To submit a report, visit our secure, third-party managed hotline platform at www.costrick.ethicspoint.com. The platform is accessible 24/7 and supports multiple languages for global suppliers. You can report via:

  • Online Form: A user-friendly web interface for detailed submissions, including file uploads if needed.
  • Telephone: Call our toll-free UK number: 0800 123 4567 (or +44 141 123 4567 for international callers). Live operators are available during business hours, with voicemail for after-hours reports.
  • Email or Postal: For sensitive cases, use costrickcloud@gmail.com or post to Costrick Ltd, Ethics Hotline, 6 Ristol Road, Glasgow, G13 1UY, Scotland.

When reporting, provide as much detail as possible, such as dates, locations, and involved parties, while maintaining your anonymity. All reports are routed directly to our Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel for impartial investigation. We aim to acknowledge receipt within 48 hours and provide updates where appropriate, without compromising confidentiality.

What Happens After a Report?

  1. Initial Review: Reports are reviewed by our independent Ethics Committee to determine validity and assign to the appropriate team (e.g., Compliance, HR, or Legal).
  2. Investigation: We conduct thorough, unbiased investigations, interviewing relevant parties and gathering evidence as needed. This process adheres to our internal policies and legal standards.
  3. Resolution and Remediation: If a violation is confirmed, we take corrective action, which may include disciplinary measures, policy updates, or supplier termination. Reporters may receive anonymous feedback on outcomes.
  4. Follow-Up: We track trends from reports to improve our policies and training, ensuring continuous enhancement of our ethical practices.

All investigations prioritize confidentiality, and we commit to non-retaliation. If you have concerns about the process, contact our hotline administrator directly via the platform.

Our Commitment to Ethics

Costrick Ltd’s Ethics Hotline is operated by a trusted third-party provider to ensure independence and neutrality. We regularly audit the system for compliance with UK GDPR and other regulations. As part of our broader ethics program, we provide annual training to employees and suppliers on recognizing and reporting misconduct, including modern slavery risks.

We believe that ethical partnerships drive long-term success. By using this hotline, you help us maintain a supply chain free from exploitation, discrimination, and unethical practices. For more on our ethics framework, see our Code of Ethics and Supplier Code of Conduct at www.costrick.com/ethics.

Contact Us

For vendor enquiries unrelated to ethics (e.g., onboarding or payments), email costrickcloud@gmail.com. For media or investor relations, contact costrickcloud@gmail.com.

Learn More

Thank you for partnering with Costrick Ltd in building an ethical and sustainable future.