Held on 25 September at London Stadium, Unseen’s Business Awards 2025 brought together leaders from across sectors who share a commitment to ending exploitation in operations and supply chains.
This year’s winners exemplify the creativity, dedication, and collaboration needed to drive real change – from pioneering risk assessments and a survivor-centred employment programme to transformative industry partnerships and personal leadership that is reshaping organisational cultures.
The awards were presented by Justine Carter, Deputy CEO at Unseen.
Business impact award winners
NatWest Group Modern Slavery Working Group and Human Rights Action Group, NatWest Group Plc
The NatWest team has gone above and beyond, demonstrating outstanding commitment, deep engagement, and powerful collaboration. They’ve pioneered innovative ways to assess and uncover complex human rights risks, including modern slavery, by working across teams and in partnership with external agencies and NGOs. Their efforts aren’t just theoretical: they’ve delivered measurable results. Most importantly, their approach is forward-looking and person centred.
Bright Future Co-operative
Bright Future Co-operative has developed a truly unique program designed to support survivors, showcasing remarkable commitment, collaboration, and innovation. Its Survivor-Centred Employment Programme is a powerful business initiative that is not only impressive, but genuinely life-changing for vulnerable workers. Its continued growth, with expansion in Scotland, stronger referral pathways, and a real reduction in the number of people falling back into exploitation, makes it a shining example of impact in action.
Innovation award winner
Amelia Knott, TV Industry Human Rights Forum
Amelia Knott, demonstrated innovation through an outstanding and highly collaborative project where academic researchers and industry leaders joined forces to tackle systemic issues of worker exploitation.
With workers’ rights at the forefront in a sector that has received very little public scrutiny, the project delivered clear outcomes, eye-opening insights, and meaningful impact that is already starting to shape broadcasters’ modern slavery risk assessments. This was a powerful example of true partnership in action.
Partnership award winner
Built Environment Against Slavery Group – Supply Chain Sustainability School
The judges agreed that the team has delivered a truly outstanding and far-reaching programme to tackle exploitation.
Bringing together 70 public and private organisations, this initiative is transforming the UK construction industry, a sector long recognised as high-risk for modern slavery, by shifting it from a compliance-led mindset to proactive, systemic change. Through better procurement, responsible sourcing, and collaborative supply chain engagement, it is setting a powerful example of what partnership can achieve.
Individual impact award winner
Amelia Woodley, Speedy Hire
Amelia Woodley has been a champion of modern slavery and human rights for over a decade and in the last 2 years has transformed her organisation’s approach to governance, risk management, supply chains, and recruitment – always with survivors at the centre.
Under her leadership, thousands of employees and partners have been trained, innovative initiatives have advanced ethical sourcing, and new protocols have strengthened grievance processes, remediation, and survivor-focused recruitment. She has not only driven lasting change but positioned the company as an industry leader in championing human rights.
Unseen star of the year
Samantha Banks, UK Sustainability Lead, Investec
Samantha Banks has demonstrated transformative leadership in addressing modern slavery in her organisation. She established and chaired the company’s first cross-functional working group, drove strategic projects, published a forward-looking roadmap, and strengthened external partnerships, including with Unseen.
She also led a company-wide awareness campaign, embedding understanding of modern slavery and reporting mechanisms into the organisational culture. Her efforts have created lasting strategic and cultural change, making her a true champion of modern slavery initiatives.
Career excellence award
Robin Sundaram
Robin Sundaram has been a staunch supporter of Unseen for over eight years and has been a driving force in Nestlé’s work on modern slavery, leading with innovation, integrity, and heart.
Back in 2018, he championed the creation of pioneering virtual reality training for Nestlé’s procurement teams. Robin instigated engagement with a range diverse suppliers, helping Unseen to develop capacity and capability down the supply chain, and giving Unseen the opportunity to share our voice on some of the biggest stages.
Insights from industry, government leaders, and sector experts
There was also an insightful panel discussion on practical steps businesses can take to tackle modern slavery, balancing compliance, ethics, and resilience while adapting to evolving regulations and market pressures. Our panellists were Eleanor Lyons, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner; Giles Bolton, Executive Director, Ethical Trading Initiative; and Matt Crossman, Stewardship Director Rathbones Group.
A thank you to our sponsors
We are very grateful to our partner and sponsors for supporting us to deliver another successful business awards event.
Thank you to our event partner Zentive; our gold sponsors Nestlé and Mastek; our silver sponsors CCLA; Alcumus SafeContractor; and our bronze sponsors SD Strategies.
Photo highlights from the Unseen business awards 2025
Work with Unseen's Business Services
Are you feeling inspired to join our community of dynamic, forward-thinking businesses and professionals? At Unseen, we work with businesses of all sizes and sectors on their approach to modern slavery. Learn more about how Unseen’s Business Services can help you make a difference or email us on [email protected]