​A new look unseen

Andrew Wallis, Unseen CEO, on Unseen's new branding.

 

Andrew Wallis, Unseen CEO

Are you a supporter of Unseen or follow our fortunes online or on social media? I am sure you have noticed that we look different. We have a new logo, new colours, and new typefaces. 

Which begs the question: why?

The answer is simple. Unseen is made up of many brilliant programmes, from specialist care for survivors to supporting businesses tackling modern slavery. From training for professionals and schools to our 24/7 Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and our work with governments on policy and legislation. As these programmes have developed, it has become less clear that they are all related.

This matters because, as a charity, it’s vital that we effectively communicate the value we bring to the fight against modern slavery. Not only to our supporters but the governments, businesses and institutions we are trying to influence.

This new look is one way of doing that. A means to instantly communicate to people that know us well, and not so well, that all these programmes are part of the Unseen family and complement one another. That the sum of what we do is greater than the parts. 

Are you a business already collaborating with us or considering doing so? It’s good to know the advice you receive from Unseen is informed by unique practice, research, insight and unrivalled data from the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline. 

Or are you a decision-maker or influence any initiative in tackling modern slavery? This refreshed identity helps convey the breadth of our experience – and therefore shows that we know what we’re talking about. 

The new-look Unseen was created by our partner and long-time supporter, Estrella Ventures, for free. 

Our mission to end slavery has not changed. Neither have our values. We just look slightly different – and make it clear that all the things we do sit under the Unseen umbrella.  

I am delighted by the results, and I hope you are too. 

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Justine Currell

As I came to understand more about the issue, including through a visit to an Unseen safehouse, I knew I needed to do more to stop this abuse and exploitation.

For the last five years of my Civil Service career, I was the Modern Slavery Senior Policy Advisor in the Home Office and led on development of the Modern Slavery Act, including the transparency in supply chains provision and business guidance.

I joined Unseen to lead the development of the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, and Unseen’s work with businesses. I am regularly called upon to present at national and international conferences and use my experience of working with Ministers to influence other governments internationally to take action to address modern slavery and, in particular, business supply chain issues.

In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit, music, reading and travelling.

Andrew Wallis

What ultimately compelled me to act was a report on how people from Eastern Europe were being trafficked through Bristol airport to the USA. Kate Garbers, who went on to be an Unseen Director, and I wrote to all the city councillors, MPs and the Police Chief Constable challenging them on the issue. The challenge came back to us: this city needs safe housing for trafficked women. And so Unseen began.

But we never wanted Unseen to be just about safe housing. We wanted to end slavery once and for all, and that remains our driving focus.

I chaired the working group for the Centre for Social Justice’s landmark report “It Happens Here: Equipping the United Kingdom to Fight Modern Slavery”. This is now acknowledged as the catalyst behind the UK’s Modern Slavery Act of 2015. It was a great honour to be awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours that year. On the other hand, I’ve also been described as “the loveliest disrupter you could ever hope to meet”.

This job has taken me from building flat-pack furniture for safehouses, to working with businesses to address slavery in supply chains, to delivering training, raising awareness and advising governments around the world.

When not at work, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my dog Harley, cooking, supporting Liverpool and Yorkshire CC, music (I’m a former DJ) and endurance events such as the Three Peaks Challenge and Tribe Freedom Runs – which I vow never to do again. Until the next time.