West Midlands Anti Slavery Network

Siân is a lecturer, social researcher and practitioner with a background in human rights and social work. She first became interested in trafficking as a form of modern slavery while studying for her Master’s degree in Human Rights in 2005, and was part of the initial project team at The Salvation Army when they first took over the national contract for supporting adult victims of trafficking in 2011.

She has worked with migration and gender issues in the UK and Thailand, working with people with a diverse range of experiences, including refugees and asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, sex workers, survivors of torture, and women and men who have experienced domestic abuse.

She is also a registered social worker and has experience of statutory work with children and families in the West Midlands. She currently works for the University of Birmingham as a lecturer on qualifying social work programmes, with a particular focus on gender-based violence, migration and child protection.

She is a member of the Institute for Research into Superdiversity (IRiS), and her research and evaluation work has included projects on supporting women in the asylum process, gender-based violence in the context of displacement, and preventative approaches to asylum support.

Sipiwe is a long-standing committed advocate for social justice. She is dedicated to contributing towards combating Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Her intention is to achieve this through Education, Advocacy, and Awareness Raising Initiatives. Sipiwe’s experience lies in Education, Training, Workshopping, and Facilitation, as well as Campaigning and Collaborating with Organizations to eradicate violations of human rights.

Shayne Tyler is a business owner and Modern Slavery and worker exploitation expert with over 30 years experience in leadership roles in the UK food industry.  A practical and hands on Director with over 25 years of people leadership within the food industry.  He relies on over 20 years of experience directly managing variable levels of employee exploitation identification and resolution, where he has actively helped shape legislation, guidance, best practice and support mechanisms for the prevention and eradication of worker abuse.

Having had ‘first-hand’ experience that has identified and tackled numerous examples of worker exploitation for such an extended timeframe, Shayne offers a valuable perspective in the fight to improve worker welfare.

Geoff has a background in opportunities for young people experience and access career pathways.

25 years in various capacities providing opportunities for young people to access careers sectors. With a focus on showing that work can be fulfilling and an avenue for social mobility, the role of the WMASN in supporting the needs of survivors of slavery and exploitation is vital.

With a specialism in fundraising, income generation and managing funded projects. |He has multiple experiences leading charity relationships with trusts and foundations, corporates and the public sector in the Midlands and across the UK.