Model Agency “Code of Conduct” Seeks to Clean Up the Industry

London — 7th August 2018 — Sapphires Model Management are proposing an implementation of a Code of Conduct to improve the way the modelling industry works.

Initial discussions for the code of conduct will be taking place between agencies throughout summer and are being supported by Steven Saxby, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster, the region where most agencies in the country are located. Steven’s outlook and values are ethical with a view to create a better tomorrow, and he is very keen to support small to medium size businesses. Sapphires also welcome contributions from anyone with any experience of the modelling industry who feels there are ways to improve the way they operate.

“The Modelling Industry contributes a lot of money to the economy but is often run in an unprofessional and unethical manner. Although the industry is technically regulated by the Employment Agencies Act, it really doesn’t cover the specific issues that are prevalent within modelling. The bullying and poaching by larger agencies is fierce and mistreatment of models is rife”. said Neely Reyes, Managing Director at Sapphires Model Management.

Why a Change of Agency Law is Needed

“In 2016 five modelling agencies were fined 1.5 million pounds by the Competition and Marketing Authority for price fixing in the industry, this is undeniable truth that the industry needs cleaning up”said Miss Reyes. “As the CMA fine shows, the industry is basically controlled by several large agencies who feel they can bully their clients, their models and other agencies to stay on top. The law doesn’t do enough to protect anyone from the unscrupulous business practices in the industry.”

More Support of Models is Needed

“The modelling industry in the UK employs thousands of young men and women from across the world, but other than the minimal regulations in the Employment Agencies Act there is very little legal obligation to protect them. We strongly believe if any other industry was employing young impressionable people working and living away from home for the first time there would be safeguards in place to stop their exploitation, but without specific legislation for model agencies they can avoid their moral obligations.” Miss Reyes continues. “Basically, the entire industry needs an overhaul from the way models are treated all the way up to how the agencies operate.”

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For more information, press only:
Neely Reyes, neely@sapphiresmodel.com
0203 603 9460

For more information on Sapphires visit www.sapphiresmodel.com