Ian Livsey has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

The GLA was set up in 2005 to curb the exploitation of workers in agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering and food processing and packaging. Livsey’s’s experience is in regulation, inspection and enforcement of national standards in both the private and public sector. Prior to his role at the GLA, he was executive chairman of TrustMark, the government scheme which helps people to find reputable firms for repairs and maintenance of their homes by licensing reputable traders.

Livsey will take up his role at the GLA from November 1. He said: “I am delighted to be taking up this post and I am looking forward to the challenges that it will bring. I intend to build on the excellent start that the GLA has made in licensing labour providers, and I am determined to deal with those labour providers who choose to operate outside the law. We cannot accept that these unlicensed gangmasters continue to operate and continue to exploit workers. My mission will be to stop them.”

GLA chairman Paul Whitehouse said: “This is an excellent appointment. Ian’s track record in consumer protection makes him the ideal candidate for this role, and I am confident that we can work together to drive out the rogues who continue to exploit the most vulnerable in the workforce.”

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