Held in the Sodexo Live! Lounge at ACC Liverpool, the reception ‘shone a spotlight’ on how employers, Government and purpose-led organisations can collaborate to dismantle the obstacles faced by disadvantaged communities across the UK.
Central to this discussion was Sodexo’s Starting Fresh programme, which equips prison leavers with the skills and employment opportunities essential for successful reintegration into society and provides proactive steps for more businesses to recruit candidates directly from prisons.
The event featured a discussion on skills development, prison reform and breaking down barriers to opportunity. In attendance was:
- Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills
- Lord James Timpson OBE, Minister of State for Prisons, Parole, and Probation
- Rt Hon Justine Greening, chair of the Purpose Coalition
- Sean Haley, chief executive of Sodexo UK & Ireland
- Former England Rugby Union player Matt Dawson, who has been brand ambassador for Sodexo for 15 years
Haley highlighted how Sodexo UK & Ireland is leading the charge, not only through its commitment to inclusive hiring but also by equipping prison leavers with critical skills and sustainable employment options.
He commented: “The evening was a powerful reminder of the crucial role businesses must play in driving social mobility and breaking down barriers to employment opportunities. We remain deeply committed to this mission.
“Through initiatives like our Starting Fresh programme, which supports prison leavers into sustainable employment, and our ongoing work to empower veterans and apprentices, we are actively creating pathways for positive change. By working together through radical collaboration, we can make a lasting impact in the communities where we live and work and ensure no one is left behind.”