Ambassador programme aims to help firms tackle modern slavery

Rebuild East Midlands has launched a new business ambassador programme to help companies tackle modern slavery with confidence.

The charity, which supports survivors of modern slavery, is inviting fellow Marketing Derby Bondholders to become Rebuild Business Ambassadors.

Those who sign up will gain access to survivor‑informed insight, expert consultancy and practical tools that will help them meet their Modern Slavery Act, ESG, CSR and human rights responsibilities with confidence, while supporting colleagues on how to spot the signs of potential exploitation and take appropriate action.

Unlike traditional compliance‑led schemes, Rebuild East Midlands brings together extensive operational experience tackling modern slavery in complex global supply chains with lived experience‑led support.

This ensures businesses receive practical, credible guidance rooted in how exploitation actually occurs and how it can be prevented.

As well as strengthening internal practices, ambassador membership directly funds frontline support for people rebuilding their lives after exploitation, ensuring businesses create real‑world impact alongside improved governance.

A number of Bondholders are already members, including Alstom, Sky Recruitment Solutions and the University of Derby.

Karen Ward, compliance manager at Sky Recruitment Solutions, said: “At Sky Recruitment Solutions, we are proud to be Spot the Signs Ambassadors for Rebuild East Midlands.

“The safety and wellbeing of our candidates and clients are always at the forefront of our business and partnering with Rebuild allows us to strengthen that commitment.

“Working alongside the Rebuild East Midlands team has been invaluable in helping us build awareness, deepen relationships and ensure we continue to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone we work with.”

According to the charity, modern slavery remains a hidden reality across Derby and Derbyshire, affecting both UK nationals and people from overseas.

Rebuild East Midlands works alongside businesses and communities to ensure exploitation cannot thrive, and that anyone affected is recognised, supported and protected.

Paul McAnulty, chief executive of Rebuild East Midlands, said: “After 18 years working to tackle modern slavery, I’ve seen how fragmented our responses often are.

“Frontline survivor support is funded in one place, consultancy is bought elsewhere to meet ESG or CSR expectations, and lived experience is too often engaged as an afterthought.

“The Business Ambassador programme brings these strands together for the first time in a way that feels honest and genuinely impactful.

“Businesses receive expert, operationally grounded support, while directly funding frontline services and engaging lived experience as a core strength rather than a token gesture.

“I’m hugely excited about this programme because it reflects how change actually happens – when expertise, experience and values are aligned.”

Businesses interested in becoming a Rebuild Business Ambassador should click here.