The Gangmasters Licensing Authority has announced the appointment of Paul Broadbent as its new chief executive.

Broadbent took up his post on 7 January and joins from Nottinghamshire Police where he was assistant chief constable.

After 30 years of service with the police Broadbent was looking for a change of career and was attracted to the GLA role because of the similarities with his experience in enforcement and working with public and private sector stakeholders.

He said: “'I am delighted to accept this high profile and demanding position and hope that my previous experience will assist in the GLA's determination to protect vulnerable workers.

'I sincerely look forward to building on the successes of the authority thus far and working closely with the business sector, partners and other agencies to tackle the exploitation of workers and reducing the burden on legitimate business.”

Broadbent was the regional lead in the East Midlands for collaboration on serious and organised crime, immigration crime, surveillance, fraud and financial investigation. He was also regional lead for the national preventing violent extremism agenda and worked on delivery with public, private and third sector partners.

Broadbent has also implemented a business crime reduction with major partners such as the National Business Crime Forum, British Retail Consortium and Federation of Small Businesses.

Margaret McKinlay, chair of the GLA said: 'I am greatly looking forward to working with Paul. The government’s 2012 review of the GLA has presented us with challenges and opportunities. Paul is exceptionally well qualified to provide leadership to the GLA; his past experience will be put to very good use.”

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