U.Okay.’s new jail minister is multimillion key-cutting inheritor who hires 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 commonplace for purchasers at these shops, which pop up throughout U.Okay. excessive streets, procuring 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 12 months he took the highest job. Timpson met a young inmate named Matt and was so impressed that he supplied him a job.

Matt has since develop into certainly one of Timpson’s most profitable department managers, the CEO mentioned.

Timpson now employs greater than 600 “jail leavers,” which make up round 10% of the corporate’s employees. 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 may very well 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 mentioned he employed Timpson for the function as a result of he “walks the stroll.” However he’ll must display that know-how rapidly, with jail governors warning that jails are operating out of house.

Having been vocal in his strategy to rehabilitation, Timpson could also be one of the crucial progressive ministers ever serving within the function.

Speaking to Channel 4 earlier this 12 months, Timpson mentioned the U.Okay. justice system was “hooked on punishment,” including that solely a 3rd of present inmates ought to “undoubtedly” be in jail.

The U.Okay.’s re-offending rates have fallen over the past decade however nonetheless stand at round 25%. Unemployment and monetary issues, in addition to homelessness and psychological Health points, 

Timpson says the retention price for his colleagues who’ve been recruited from jail or have a prison 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 accordance with the Sunday Times Rich List. 

His grandfather and founding father of Timpson, William, was ousted from the company in 1973 after EDS Group acquired the corporate. James’s father, John, grew to become 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 an enormous 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.