Alison has over 10 years of experience working with survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. She is currently Director of Modern Slavery Response at Hestia, the largest provider of support to survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK. Her service has supported over 7,000 survivors of modern slavery since 2011, within the framework of the UK Home Office’s Victim Care Contract, in outreach and safehouses.

Alison is passionate about ensuring survivors have a voice in influencing policy, and chairs Hestia’s Empowered Voice forum, a collective of survivors who come together every month to shape the service and influence policy. Through this group, Hestia has submitted verbal and written evidence to the Home Affair Select Committee on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking 2023 and created multiple other opportunities for survivors to meet with key stakeholders such as the Home Office, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the Met Police. Alison was invited to provide evidence at the Lords’ Select Committee on the review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Hestia drafted multiple amendments during the passing of recent immigration legislation in 2022, 2023 and 2024. These were supported by the House of Lords and our influencing of ministers has led to recent policy reversals. We also advocate at an international level via the Council of Europe’s GRETA programme. Alison has worked in Cambodia and is Trustee of a charity based in Phnom Penh. She is an Advisory member of the Freedom Collective Community where she encourages best practice exchange with international stakeholders.