On 11 October 2023, the Home Office announced that Eleanor Lyons will take on the role of Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner from 11 December 2023, following on from Dame Sara Thornton’s departure from the role in April 2022.

Our statement:

"The role of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner is critical to the UK breaking the vicious cycle of exploitation that is modern slavery. We welcome the appointment of a new IASC after an almost 2-year vacancy in the role.

With the ongoing conflation of illegal migration and modern slavery, the new IASC, Eleanor Lyons, has a mammoth task ahead of her to ensure that victims of this brutal crime are identified, let alone receive support and protection. She will also have to confront the woeful prosecution rates which embolden the traffickers. She will need deep reserves of wisdom, courage, and resilience to address the scale of the challenges. Hestia will work closely with her to ensure victims are supported, protected, and empowered to collaborate in the prosecution of criminals who traffic and exploit."

-  Patrick Ryan, CEO of Hestia.

Eleanor Lyons is currently Deputy Children’s Commissioner. For the official announcement click here.