Timpson CEO James Timpson has been named as the minister for prisons, parole and probation under the new Labour government.
He has employed more than 600 former prisoners across the retailer’s branches throughout the UK.
The retail boss previously served as chair of the Employers Forum for reducing re-offending until 2016, and was appointed as chair of the Prison Reform Trust later the same year.
As part of the role, Timpson established an Employment Advisory Board network across the country in a bid to improve work opportunities for those leaving prison.
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In 2011, he was awarded an OBE in recognition of his work supporting disadvantaged individuals through training and employment.
Additionally, Timpson previously co-chaired Theresa May’s council for small business, scale-ups and entrepreneurs in 2018.
Speaking at his first news conference as prime minister over the weekend, Keir Starmer said the retail boss had invested “a huge amount over many years” into the rehabilitation of ex-prisoners and was “very pleased” to appoint him.
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