West Midlands Anti Slavery Network

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.

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 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.  

I am a former West Midlands Police Inspector having retired in August 2025. With experience in Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation, I joined West Midlands Anti Slavery Network in September which was a natural transition from a law enforcement perspective to focussing on the safeguarding and identification of potential victims of modern slavery and exploitation. I am passionate about improving awareness of this hidden crime and ensuring victims are identified, recognised and supported effectively. I am committed to working with all organisations to raise awareness and improve collaboration. I am privileged to be part of this amazing Network and to be working with a team who are all equally as passionate and committed to this area of business.

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.

Ranj has a background in modern slavery, housing, immigration, welfare benefits, and finance. This equips her to be able to support people in a holistic and practical way. She’s passionate about helping victims to take steps towards rebuilding a safe, stable, and normal life. She’s a big believer in treating people how she’d want to be treated. She has a great sense of humour and a warm personality. She’s always keen to learn, is driven to make a real impact, and powered by strong coffee and chocolates. Ranj – “ I believe a simple smile can make someone’s day!”.

I am an Immigration and NRPF Adviser, specialising in supporting vulnerable migrants. I joined the West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network in April 2026 as an Independent Slavery and Exploitation Advocate. In my previous role, I regularly supported families in crisis and adults experiencing exploitation, homelessness, domestic abuse, destitution, mental ill health, and multiple overlapping vulnerabilities. 

I bring experience in frontline advice, interdisciplinary casework, research contribution, training delivery, and network building. I feel privileged to do work that is meaningful and has a real impact on people’s lives. I enjoy working with people and pride myself on being patient and empathetic.

My motto is: “Impossible doesn’t exist!”

Before joining WMASN, Katie built her career in finance, working across a range of sectors including manufacturing, financial services, building merchants, building control and adult social care. Throughout her career, she gained extensive experience in financial management, business operations and process improvement, often taking on wider responsibilities to improve systems and support organisational efficiency.

Since joining WMASN, Katie has supported the charity’s financial management, governance and business operations, working closely with colleagues, trustees and partners to help ensure the organisation is well positioned to deliver its mission. She is passionate about using her skills to support the voluntary sector and is proud to contribute to WMASN’s work raising awareness of modern slavery, strengthening support for those affected, and helping to create lasting change across the West Midlands.