Tackling Modern Slavery and Building Trust in Food: A Conversation with Paul Willgoss
Welcome toThe MorePeople Podcast, where we explore careers, recruitment, and innovation across the food and agriculture sectors. In this episode, CEO Andrew Fitzmaurice speaks with Paul Willgoss, a seasoned industry leader with over 27 years at Marks & Spencer, former Technical Director, and now Independent Chair of the Modern Slavery Intelligence Network (MSIN), Director at PW Food and Farming, and a member of the International Advisory Board at Ann Fresh.
From Corporate Leadership to Purpose-Driven Consulting
Paul’s journey has been anything but conventional. After nearly three decades at M&S, 13 of those as Technical Director, he left in 2022 to launch his own consultancy aimed at driving transformation and innovation across food supply chains. His mission: disrupt outdated models, support progressive change, and tackle deep-rooted issues like labour exploitation.
“I’m having good fun, keeping busy,” Paul remarks. But beyond the surface, he’s clearly channelling his experience into solving some of the industry’s toughest challenges.
Shedding Light on Hidden Exploitation
A major part of Paul’s current focus is his work with Modern Slavery Intelligence Network (MSIN). A UK-based collaboration born from a disturbing reality. The trigger? A high-profile investigation called Operation Fort, where over 450 individuals were found to be victims of slavery, many of them embedded unknowingly in the UK’s food supply chains.
That moment spurred Paul, alongside John Shropshire (GS Fresh) and Dame Sara Thornton (then Anti-Slavery Commissioner), to create MSIN, a coalition of retailers, manufacturers, and food producers sharing intelligence on labour exploitation.
“This is happening in our everyday lives,” Paul warns. “Car washes, nail bars, the care sector - anywhere with casual, temporary labour is vulnerable.” What’s more, he stresses, these criminal networks don’t limit themselves to one industry. Victims are often shifted between sectors like food, construction, and hospitality.
Building a Trust-Based Intelligence Network
One of the key innovations behind MSIN is how it shares sensitive data safely. Working with the organisation Stop the Traffik, MSIN operates two secure databases:
A secure database: where members report incidents of suspected exploitation. This information is verified, anonymized, and protected to build trust and reduce reputational risk.
A shared database: once validated, intelligence is distributed across the network, helping other members spot similar patterns or connections.
“Trust was the foundation,” Paul explains. “Because by entering a case, you’re admitting there’s a problem in your supply chain. That’s hard for businesses. But with anonymization and support from major retailers, we created an environment where members feel safe to contribute.”
Why This Matters - Now More Than Ever
Modern slavery is a global crisis. The numbers are staggering: 40 million people are estimated to be living in some form of slavery today, three times more than during the Atlantic slave trade. In the UK alone, estimates hover around 140,000.
What’s shocking is how invisible this can be. “It’s happening in plain sight, and most people don’t even realise it,” Paul says. For the food industry, the stakes are high. Not just ethically, but reputationally. That’s why MSIN is actively working to grow its model across other sectors like construction, care, and hospitality.
Lessons from a Lifetime at M&S
Looking back at his time at Marks & Spencer, Paul highlights the enormous changes he witnessed from groundbreaking innovation to raising industry standards in food safety, animal welfare, and consumer trust.
“When I joined in the mid-90s, we were still writing the rules,” Paul recalls. M&S led initiatives like removing artificial additives, driving better welfare standards, and shaping entirely new categories like chilled prepared salads. “We believed in doing the right thing, even when it was hard.”
He’s also quick to praise manufacturers, farmers, and processors: “These folks wake up every day trying to get it right. It’s not easy but the UK food industry, in my view, leads the world in food safety.”
Advice for the Next Generation
When asked what advice he’d give his 24-year-old self, Paul shares three gems:
Say yes to opportunity – Take every chance that comes your way.
Put the business first – “If you look after the business, the business will look after you.”
Invest in your network – Relationships matter. Give back as much as you take.
Final Thoughts
Paul Willgoss represents a unique mix of corporate leadership, ethical purpose, and practical know-how. His work with MSIN is a reminder that even the most hidden issues can be tackled when the right people come together with transparency and courage.
