The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority named Michael Rich as its new chief executive and reappointed Margaret Beels as its chair.

The GLAA is a national law enforcement and compliance agency in the UK charged with protecting vulnerable workers from exploitation. Its broad remit covers the entire labour market, and it works closely with the police, law enforcement and other agencies and strategic partners.

Rich will lead the agency when he takes up his post in early January. He is currently an executive director at Chesterfield Borough Council in Derbyshire and previously spent four years with the Homes and Communities Agency that funds government housing programmes.

Beels, who has been chair since 2011, was reappointed to the role for a further two years following a recruitment process.