The U.Okay.’s new left-leaning Labour authorities is trying to the enterprise world to sort out a rising drawback within the jail sector. And the person they wish to lead that restoration is the boss of Timpson, an organization well-known for hiring ex-offenders.
James Timpson runs the nationwide chain that cuts keys, repairs sneakers, and performs dry cleansing and laundry providers. He has been appointed Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation underneath Sir Keir Starmer’s new authorities.
Timpson’s jail coverage
It’s common for patrons at these shops, which pop up throughout U.Okay. excessive streets, buying facilities, and grocery store automobile parks, to be served by a former inmate.
Timpson, CEO since 2002 and works alongside his father, John, launched the corporate’s coverage of hiring ex-offenders.
This follow reportedly began after Timpson visited a jail the identical yr he took the highest job. Timpson met a younger inmate named Matt and was so impressed that he supplied him a job.
Matt has since turn into one in every of Timpson’s most profitable department managers, the CEO stated.
Timpson now employs greater than 600 “prison leavers,” which make up round 10% of the corporate’s workers. The CEO was additionally chair of the Jail Reform Belief till his appointment as prisons minister.
If Timpson can unfold a little bit of his magic mud on the function, it might be a boon for the U.Okay.’s jail system, to not point out the broader U.Okay. social material and public funds.
U.Okay. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated he employed Timpson for the function as a result of he “walks the walk.” However he’ll have to exhibit that know-how rapidly, with jail governors warning that jails are working out of house.
Having been vocal in his strategy to rehabilitation, Timpson could also be one of the progressive ministers ever serving within the function.
Chatting with Channel 4 earlier this yr, Timpson stated the U.Okay. justice system was “addicted to punishment,” including that solely a 3rd of present inmates ought to “definitely” be in jail.
The U.Okay.’s re-offending charges have fallen over the past decade however nonetheless stand at round 25%. Unemployment and monetary issues, in addition to homelessness and psychological well being points,
Timpson says the retention charge for his colleagues who’ve been recruited from jail or have a felony conviction is 75%, suggesting a low degree of reoffending.
Meet the Timpsons
Timpson and his household had been reported to be price £210 million ($269 million) in 2019, in keeping with the Sunday Instances Wealthy Record.
His grandfather and founding father of Timpson, William, was ousted from the corporate in 1973 after EDS Group acquired the corporate. James’s father, John, turned managing director of the corporate in 1975 and would go on to steer a £42 million administration buyout of the agency in 1982.
The corporate, which stays wholly owned by Timpson and his household,
The household paid themselves the largest dividend in years in March price £16.6 million ($21.3 million) after a giant bounce in turnover.
His dad and mom shared Timpson’s sense of public obligation. John and his spouse, Alex adopted two of their 5 youngsters and, over 31 years, offered foster care to 90 different youngsters.
Alex Timpson acquired an MBA in 2006 for providers to youngsters and households. John was knighted for his providers in 2017, after his spouse handed away.
