Staff members
Robin Brierley – Executive Director of WMASN
Robin Brierley is also an independent consultant on Anti Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and currently manages multi agency partnerships in Cleveland and Durham.
Robin joined Thames Valley Police in 1990 and went on to work for the National Crime Squad, Anti-Corruption Command within the Metropolitan Police, and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (now named the National Crime Agency).
He worked within the Enforcement Directorate as an SIO, and later within the Intelligence Directorate working on organised immigration crime including human trafficking. Robin was then seconded to the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) before leaving SOCA in 2011 to set up his consultancy business.
Together with the Human Trafficking Foundation he founded and Co-Chairs the National Network Coordinators Forum. This was set up to bring together network and partnership coordinators from England and Wales to share good practice, raise awarenss of current issues, trends, and challenges.
Robin is very much victim focused and endorses the view that partnerships are essential to identify and rescue victims, and contribute to an increase in investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of perpetrators.
Donna Pryor – Business Manager
Donna has worked for West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network for over 5 years as Business Manager and is a member of the Senior Management Team, providing a complete business management function for the organisation. Her work covers many areas including governance, HR, finance, IT, and fundraising. She also facilities network membership and organises network meetings and the care and support subgroup. Previously she worked for Adavu within the anti-trafficking sector and has been involved with anti-slavery for over 12 years. Prior to her work with WMASN she worked at a college as International Coordinator where she was responsible for student welfare and Tier 4 visa compliance, and as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant for several other charities.
Nick Walton – Operations Manager
Nick Walton is a former senior police officer, with extensive investigation experience in a large metropolitan police force.
During his service, he received a number of commendations for his work as a Senior Investigating Officer, having led a number of reactive and proactive investigations. He was the senior officer responsible for a range of public protection related areas, including sexual offences, sex offender management, sex work, and modern slavery/human trafficking.
He developed the current West Midlands multi-agency response to modern slavery, which is utilising a public health approach to tackle vulnerability, whilst also advising and supporting agencies in responding to and the impact of serious and organised criminality. In 2020, he received a Diamond Award from West Midlands Police for his work in this area.
He continues to advise and work across agencies to improve the understanding and impact of organised criminality on victims of modern slavery, human trafficking, and broader forms of exploitation.
He is educated to degree level, and oversees our IMSA and SafePlace service.
Anna Iuga – Modern Slavery Lead BCC
Anna provides a strategic lead on Birmingham City Council’s response to modern slavery, with a particular focus on adults. Her role aims to ensure that Birmingham City Council meets its statutory obligations, as a local authority, in respect of Modern Slavery Act 2015, and supports partnership approaches across the region.
Anna joined the West Midlands Anti Slavery Network in March 2023. Before joining the WMASN, she worked within The Salvation Army’s contract management team of Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) where she managed a range of projects, including, litigation relevant to MSVCC and development of contract-wide engagement and partnership strategy. Prior to this, Anna worked as a Public Law and Immigration Paralegal at Duncan Lewis Solicitors and in the area of policy and legal research within major international human rights organisations, such as the United Nations and European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. Anna holds a Master degree in Law and a Bachelor degree in Criminology and is passionate about combating modern slavery and ensuring that appropriate support is offered to the victims.
Nigel Oseman – Warwickshire IMSA
I truly am not sure where the last decade has gone, they say time travels faster when you are enjoying your work, identifying victims, and supporting survivors of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking has been highly fulfilling. I started this part of my journey in April 2023, when being welcomed to the WMASN Team, I was offered plenty of support and given flexibility and space to develop relationships and form partnerships in Warwickshire; being the County’s first Independent Modern Slavery Advocate is a privilege, it was somewhat daunting to start with but it wasn’t long before I felt like I was part of the ‘Safe Warwickshire’ landscape, I really have been welcomed by all.
My mantra in life is simple, we can always do more when we work together, collaborations and partnerships are key and networking creates such opportunities, I am passionate about training and increasing people’s appreciation around the work that we do but equally I am open to develop and understand better the complexities that this issue can bring.
I know I speak for our team when saying it is always better to reach out when in doubt, getting it wrong time and time again matters not because on that one occasion when you get it right you could be responsible for making a real positive difference to someone’s life – so please don’t hesitate to report in, express your concerns or ask for help as this is what we are here for, beating Modern Slavery and changing lives can be achieved and conjointly we will make a difference.
Tev Kirupakaran – West Midlands Lead IMSA
Tev is the West Midlands Lead IMSA, she manages the SafePlace program which is a pre-NRM safehouse in Birmingham and the West Midlands IMSA team. Tev also provides outreach support to victims, technical advice to professionals and delivers awareness and training packages to organisations.
Tev has worked as a policy and project management officer for the Australian Federal Government, and then became a police officer for the Victoria Police. Tev has an academic background in Law, International Relations and Social Work.
Tev is very passionate about the rights of vulnerable people and last year volunteered with Refugee Support in Cyprus.
Mick Hobson – West Midlands IMSA
Mick is a retired Police Officer having served for 30 years in the West Midlands and 8 years in Warwickshire Police. Mick spent most of his Police career as a Detective encompassing a wide range of Specialised roles.
In November 2023 Mick joined the West Midlands Anti slavery network and has since worked at the SafePlace safeguarding and advocating for vulnerable individuals during the pre NRM period.
Charanjeet Kaur Grewal – West Midlands IMSA
Charanjeet is an Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA) commissioned by the West Midlands Crime Commissioner, operating within the framework of the West Midlands Anti Slavery Network. With a collaborative approach and a dedication to forging strong partnerships with local authorities, charities, and law enforcement agencies, Charanjeet leverages resources and expertise to make a significant impact in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery.
In addition to her pivotal role as an IMSA, Charanjeet is currently pursuing her MSc in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy, where she serves as a Trainee Psychotherapist. This academic pursuit enhances her role as an IMSA by providing a more nuanced and trauma-informed approach to her advocacy work.
Charanjeet’s professional journey is marked by a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding modern slavery, rooted in her prior experience within the MSVCC. This background fortifies her approach as an IMSA, enabling her to navigate the challenges of her role with finesse and efficacy.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Charanjeet demonstrates a commitment to humanitarian causes through her annual volunteer work across the Panjab region. Primarily focused on preventative mental health initiatives, her volunteer efforts underscore her dedication to addressing the multifaceted issues impacting vulnerable communities.