Welcome to Meadow
Meadow Foods Limited
Rough Hill
Marlston-cum-Lache
Chester
Cheshire
CH4 9JS
If you have any queries, you may contact us at our Registered Office, by telephone on 01244 680071 or email us via our contact page.
This report summarises our Gender Pay Gap which is the difference in average earnings between men and women across all roles, calculated at April 2023. This is different to the statutory requirement for Equal Pay which legislates that the same rate of pay must be given to men and women where the work they do is similar or of the same value.
Across the Meadow Foods sites our mean gender pay gap is 4% and our median pay gap is 1%. We are encouraged that this is lower than the current national median pay gap. However, we understand that the promotion of diversity and a culture of gender equality across our business is an ongoing process.
Meadow Foods upholds Equal Opportunities and Equal Pay policies, which set out our values as an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all employees, and a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We are also committed to introducing and maintaining pay systems, which are transparent, based on objective criteria and free from sex bias.
Gender Pay Gap: Download PDF
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Swan Topco Limited (Swan) is committed to full compliance with all statutory obligations and full disclosure to tax authorities. This tax policy is approved and owned by the Board of Directors. Ultimate responsibility for Swan’s tax strategy and compliance rests with the Board. Responsibility for day to day tax matters has been delegated to the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and the Accounts Department.
This strategy applies to all taxes listed in paragraphs 15 (1) of schedule 19 of the Finance Act 2016; the principle ones being corporate, employment and indirect taxes.
Within this tax strategy document, Swan refers to any legal entity within the Group; owned directly or indirectly by Swan Topco Limited in accordance with paragraph 16 of Schedule 19 to the Finance Act 2016. This strategy has been published in accordance with paragraph 16 (2) of the Schedule.
When entering into commercial transactions, Swan seeks to take advantage of available tax incentives, reliefs and exemptions in line with, and in the spirit of, the tax legislation. Swan does not undertake tax planning unrelated to such commercial transactions.
The level of risk, which Swan accepts in relation to UK taxation, is consistent with its overall objective of achieving certainty in its tax affairs. At all times Swan seeks to comply fully with its regulatory and other obligations and to act in a way which upholds its reputation as a responsible large business.
The tax strategy is aligned with Swan’s overall business strategy and approach to corporate governance and risk management.
Swan actively seeks to identify, evaluate, monitor and manage these risks. Where there is significant uncertainty or complexity in relation to a risk, external advice is sought.
The Accounts department carry out reviews of activities and processes to identify key risks and the mitigating controls in place. These key risks are monitored for business and legislative changes which may impact them and changes to processes or controls are made when required.
In relation to any specific issue or transaction, the Board is ultimately responsible, identifying the risks, including tax risks, which need to be addressed and for determining what actions should be taken to manage those risks, having regard to the materiality of the amounts and obligations in question.
Swan seeks to have a transparent and constructive relationship with HMRC through regular communication in respect of developments in Swans business, current, future and retrospective tax risks, and interpretation of the law in relation to all relevant taxes.
Swan ensures that HMRC is kept aware of significant transactions and changes in the business and seeks to discuss any tax issues arising at an early stage.
When submitting tax computations and returns to HMRC, Swan discloses all relevant facts and identifies any transactions or issues where it considers that there is potential for the tax treatment to be uncertain. Any inadvertent errors in submissions made to HMRC are fully disclosed as soon as reasonably practicable after they are identified.
Swan works collaboratively with tax authorities to achieve early agreement on disputed issues and certainty on a real-time basis, wherever possible. Swan is classified as ‘Low risk’ after a business risk review was conducted by the large and complex Business Department of HMRC.
To read about our farm sustainability policies click here
We are committed to our corporate social responsibilities at local, national and international level. We internally review our supply chains to assess both human trafficking and slavery risks. We have a sound document management system that ensures all steps of the supplier approval process are followed.
We recognise and understand the complexities associated with the existence of modern slavery and its potential impact on global supply chain networks and we are committed to working with our Suppliers, Customers, Regulatory Authorities and other parties and organisations to support the development of long-term solutions to this issue. We are fully committed to ensuring that we purchase only from legitimate companies that meet all appropriate legislation and are not in any way engaged or associated with modern slavery or human trafficking.
We internally review our supply chain to evaluate modern slavery and human trafficking risks, and we review all aspects of the supply chain including: safety; human trafficking; child labour and other legal requirements. We are members of Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) and are regularly audited by third parties.
Following a review of our current policies, we believe that our present arrangements offer sufficient protection to all workers. In addition to policies that protect all workers from mistreatment, we have a robust and effective Whistleblowing Policy which we are confident provides a mechanism for any employees who may wish to raise modern slavery/human trafficking as an issue. Our policies and procedures are continually reviewed to ensure we remain compliant with all current legislation.
Modern Slavery Statement: Download PDF
Employers Liability Certificate: Download PDF
Terms and Conditions of purchase, inc. services and transport: Download PDF
Terms and Conditions of Sale: Download PDF
Covid-19 Statement– December 2021