The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) is currently in the process of selecting people for its new board, which has been restructured following a consultation. 

The new board will be a lot smaller than the previous one, which has been in place since 2005. The changes are part of efforts to increase efficiency and achieve ‘greater strategic analysis’ through the appointment of non-executive directors, which can bring a ‘range of professional skills’, according to a press release from the GLA.

This follows a public consultation on the scope and governance of GLA in 2013. A triennial review found that GLA was fit for purpose, but stated some governance changes could be made and the board should be made smaller. In April 2014 GLA sponsorship moved from Defra to the Home Office. 

In a statement, Margaret Beels, chair of the GLA, said: “The reviews of the GLA have confirmed that it is an appropriate regulator, and fit for purpose, but that its future direction would benefit from greater strategic analysis by non-executive directors that can bring a range of professional skills to support that direction. I welcome those conclusions.” 

Beels went on to say the new board would assist “the chief executive and me to steer the role of the GLA in a way that protects workers from exploitation, reduces burdens on compliant businesses, and effectively contributes to the pursuit and prevention of modern slavery in the UK today”.

Beels is encouraging applications from individuals with board level experience and expertise in relevant areas such as regulation in the labour market, enforcement, victim support, or professional expertise in the fields of finance, commerce or human resources. 

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