Human rights and our modern slavery act statement

 

In 2026 we published Aviva’s tenth Modern Slavery Statement, prepared in accordance with section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015. It outlines the steps taken during 2025 to identify, address and mitigate the risk of modern slavery and forced labour across Aviva’s operations, supply chain and investments.

Our approach and progress in 2025

Aviva recognises modern slavery as a serious violation of human rights and remains committed to align our approach and practice with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and ILO Fundamental Conventions. In 2025, we strengthened our risk based approach, prioritising effective implementation and transparency in line with updated Home Office Transparency in Supply Chains guidance.

Understanding our risk exposure

Aviva’s direct operations continue to be assessed as low risk, reflecting the nature of our knowledge based workforce and findings from independent external reviews. Our primary exposure to modern slavery risk arises within parts of our supply chain, particularly in labour intensive services such as cleaning, security, construction and repair services, logistics and temporary labour. We also recognise exposure through investment activities in high-risk sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and construction.

To deepen our understanding of these risks, we completed a comprehensive supply chain risk mapping exercise, in collaboration with Good Business as our long-term partner. This work combined sector risk, geography and supplier level indicators. This work enabled more targeted prioritisation of suppliers for engagement and due diligence.

Due diligence and issue management

During the year, we conducted 18 modern slavery supplier assessments, including in person site visits, one of which involved a Tier 2 (a supplier to our direct supplier), and worker interviews, informed by our risk mapping methodology. The majority of suppliers assessed were categorised as low risk, with recommendations provided to further strengthen practices even where no issues were identified.

One higher risk issue relating to recruitment fees at a supplier supporting Aviva India was identified. Follow up verification, including direct engagement with workers, is planned for 2026 to confirm alignment with Aviva’s employer pays expectation, whereby all employment-related costs such as training and recruitment, must be borne by the supplier as the employer, not by workers. Across our supplier base, corrective action plans continued to be actively managed, with five closed during 2025 and six new plans opened for monitoring in 2026.

Accessible reporting channels remain in place through Aviva’s Speak Up service. One human rights related concern was investigated during the year and did not meet the threshold for modern slavery.

Strengthening systems, governance and capability

Strong governance underpins our approach, with Board level oversight, executive sponsorship and cross functional delivery through dedicated working groups.

We maintained and strengthened key policies and standards, including our Human Rights Policy, Business Ethics Code, and Third Party Business Code of Behaviour, with 100% of registered suppliers in the UK, Ireland and Canada agreeing to the Code. We continued targeted training and awareness raising for colleagues and suppliers, supported by specialist partners, and reinforced expectations on responsible recruitment, living wage and working hours.

Through Aviva Investors, we engaged an investee company in 2025 to address identified modern slavery risks within its supply chain.

Looking ahead

In 2026, Aviva will continue to enhance the effectiveness of its approach by expanding supply chain visibility beyond our direct supply chain (beyond our Tier 1), increasing engagement with higher risk suppliers, strengthening outcome focused indicators, and continuing collaboration with external experts to support continuous improvement.

Together, these actions reflect Aviva’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability and meaningful action to address modern slavery risks across our value chain.