Member News

changing legislation – january 2023 webcast

In this January Business Hub webcast, we take a closer look at some of the key changes in legislation and guidance affecting businesses.

changing legislation – january 2023 webcast

In this January Business Hub webcast, we take a closer look at some of the key changes in legislation and guidance affecting businesses.

climate change and modern slavery – september 2022 webcast

In the September Business Hub webcast, we explore the impact of climate change and modern slavery, provide some key practical tips to prepare for potential modern slavery cases in your business, and share the latest trends from the Helpline.

climate change and modern slavery – september 2022 webcast

In the September Business Hub webcast, we explore the impact of climate change and modern slavery, provide some key practical tips to prepare for potential modern slavery cases in your business, and share the latest trends from the Helpline.

unseen in focus

Unseen In Focus is your supporter magazine, with news on modern slavery issues around the world and the work of Unseen.

unseen in focus

Unseen In Focus is your supporter magazine, with news on modern slavery issues around the world and the work of Unseen.

the modern slavery & exploitation helpline 2021 annual assessment

A summary of our Helpline’s 2021 annual assessment, providing insights and analysis of current and emerging modern slavery trends in the UK – including labour exploitation and abuse.

the modern slavery & exploitation helpline 2021 annual assessment

A summary of our Helpline’s 2021 annual assessment, providing insights and analysis of current and emerging modern slavery trends in the UK – including labour exploitation and abuse.

changes to EU corporate sustainability due diligence

The European Commission has finally published its proposals for corporate sustainability due diligence – aimed at tackling issues in supply chains. So, what does this mean for your business?

changes to EU corporate sustainability due diligence

The European Commission has finally published its proposals for corporate sustainability due diligence – aimed at tackling issues in supply chains. So, what does this mean for your business?

the modern slavery webcast – January 2022

In the January Business Hub webcast, award-winning investigative journalist, Geoff White, lifts the lid on the murky world of illicit finance, exposing North Korea’s rise to become a computer hacking superpower, and detailing its alleged involvement in money laundering and human trafficking.

the modern slavery webcast – January 2022

In the January Business Hub webcast, award-winning investigative journalist, Geoff White, lifts the lid on the murky world of illicit finance, exposing North Korea’s rise to become a computer hacking superpower, and detailing its alleged involvement in money laundering and human trafficking.

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HELPLINE WEBCAST

As the Helpline reaches this important milestone, we’re delighted to exclusively share with you the event we recently hosted, joined by Dame Sara Thornton.

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HELPLINE WEBCAST

As the Helpline reaches this important milestone, we’re delighted to exclusively share with you the event we recently hosted, joined by Dame Sara Thornton.

THE MODERN SLAVERY WEBCAST – JUNE 2021

In Unseen’s latest exclusive webcast for Business Hub members, Professor Dave Walsh, Justine Currell and Mark Heath discuss the implications for modern slavery of new immigration rules, Brexit and the resulting shortages of labour in the UK.

THE MODERN SLAVERY WEBCAST – JUNE 2021

In Unseen’s latest exclusive webcast for Business Hub members, Professor Dave Walsh, Justine Currell and Mark Heath discuss the implications for modern slavery of new immigration rules, Brexit and the resulting shortages of labour in the UK.

THE MODERN SLAVERY WEBCAST – APRIL 2021

In the first of a series of exclusive webcasts for Business Hub members, Unseen’s Courtenay Forbes discusses trends we’re seeing in modern slavery with Adam Whitfield from auditing firm Achilles.

THE MODERN SLAVERY WEBCAST – APRIL 2021

In the first of a series of exclusive webcasts for Business Hub members, Unseen’s Courtenay Forbes discusses trends we’re seeing in modern slavery with Adam Whitfield from auditing firm Achilles.

HOW UNSEEN’S BUSINESS PORTAL IS WORKING FOR TESCO

Tesco has been an Unseen UK partner and subscriber to our Business Portal since 2018. We asked Rachel Munns, Responsible Sourcing Manager at Tesco, about the partnership and the value of the Portal in the supermarket’s efforts to keep labour abuse out of the Tesco supply chain.

HOW UNSEEN’S BUSINESS PORTAL IS WORKING FOR TESCO

Tesco has been an Unseen UK partner and subscriber to our Business Portal since 2018. We asked Rachel Munns, Responsible Sourcing Manager at Tesco, about the partnership and the value of the Portal in the supermarket’s efforts to keep labour abuse out of the Tesco supply chain.
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.