Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
British sailing clothing brand selling jackets and base layers.
We couldn't confirm where Gill makes most of its sailing and watersports clothing.
Also worth knowing
Most clothes and shoes are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where pay is usually below a living wage and unions are heavily restricted.
Better-graded outdoor
Graded higher than Gill, selling the same kinds of things.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Gill? Send a right of reply.
Compare Gill with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a hidden, unaudited supply chain, probably in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsWhere clothes and shoes are usually made, such as China and Bangladesh, unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: cotton
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, probably mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
We couldn't confirm where Gill makes most of its products, so this shows where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 30% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Bangladesh | 20% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 15% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Cambodia | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Türkiye | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| Indonesia | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Pakistan | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Uses cotton in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where its cotton comes from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
- Uses recycled metals or fibres
Research notes Gill does not say where its products are made or name its suppliers. It has had a supplier code of conduct since 2015 covering child and forced labour, recruitment fees, union rights and a 48-hour regular week, and says staff from its Nottingham head office visit every supplier each year, with regular on-site social audits. No audit results are published, and the code requires only legal wage payments, with no living wage commitment. Most styles use synthetic, often recycled, fabrics.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Not covered | Gill's reported revenue of about £14m (2018) is below the £36m threshold for a UK modern slavery statement; it was bought by a US-based family office in December 2018. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not listed | Gill is not rated in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Cains advises Myers Business Trust on its acquisition of Gill Marine Holdings · search the archive · Myers Business Trust bought Gill Marine Holdings, previously majority-owned by YFM Equity Partners, in 2018
Published by Gill or its owner
- Gill - Corporate Responsibility · search the archive · Supplier code: no child or forced labour, no worker fees, union rights, 48-hour week; annual in-person supplier visits; no living wage
- Gill - Sustainability · search the archive · Code of conduct since 2015; regular on-site social audits; most styles recycled or renewable content; recycled linings
- Gill - Our Story · search the archive · Founded 1975 in Long Eaton, Nottingham; no manufacturing locations given
- Gill - Delivery information (rest of world store) · search the archive · Gill's rest-of-world store, where its Australian site redirects, ships to international destinations
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Gill ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/gill, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Gill.