Interview: Tackling modern slavery with strong, empathetic leadership Written by Caroline Roberts Tuesday 31 October 2023 Share Share to LinkedIn Share to Facebook Share via email Chartered Manager of the Year nominee Jennifer Baines leads a team that investigates modern slavery cases in South East England. This is difficult, rewarding work in an evolving field. But it’s not her biggest challenge Interested in becoming Chartered? Learn more Jennifer Baines CMgr MCMI relishes a challenge. And having spent over 20 years tackling serious and organised crime, she has certainly faced her fair share. Having started out in benefit fraud, she has worked as a customs officer and for the National Crime Agency. She now heads a team of 13 senior investigating officers focusing on modern slavery across South East England. “Raising awareness of exploitation and slavery makes a real difference and saves lives,” she says. “There’s nothing better than knowing you’ve saved someone from years of forced labour.” I’ve learnt a lot about how to be a manager who inspires, motivates and creates a team culture of support, value and achievement While the work may be invigorating, it can be difficult to make charges stick. As team leader, she has overall responsibility for ensuring that investigations are carried out correctly, and that cases are watertight when they come to court. But while the legislation around modern slavery is new and evolving, that only increases the impact when she gets the work right. “It’s extremely rewarding when we get a good sentence, as it’s establishing the law for the future,” she says. Drugs. Crime. Rehab. Management. Entrepreneurship. Jennifer’s management secrets When it comes to managing her team, Jennifer’s approach hinges on care and empathy. Having had good and bad experiences with her own managers over the years, her modus operandi is to treat people the way she’d want to be treated herself. Want to learn more about Jennifer’s approach to management? Login or register below for Free Instant Access Login If you are already registered as a CMI Friend, Subscriber or Member, just login to view this article. Confirm your registration Login below to confirm your details and access this article. Sign in with email Email remember me remember Forget? Please confirm that you want to switch off the "Sign in with email" remember me feature. Yes No Register for Free Access Not yet a Member, Subscriber or Friend? Register as a CMI Friend for free, and get access to this and many other exclusive resources, as well as weekly updates straight to your inbox. You have successfully registered As a CMI Friend, you now have access to whole range of CMI Friendship benefits. Please login to the left to confirm your registration and access the article. Interview At CMI, we’re hugely privileged to have contributed to many people’s management and leadership journeys. Take a look back at some of the people we’ve interviewed for some top tips and exclusive insight. Members See More CMI Members have access to thousands of online learning and CPD resources. Learn more about our membership benefits Join The Community CMI offers a variety of flexible membership solutions, tailored to your needs. Find out more and get involved in the CMI community today.