James Timpson has stepped down as chair of the Prisons Trust after being made a peer and appointed minister for prisons, parole and probation in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s new government.

The chief executive of the Timpson Group is a long-standing campaigner for reducing re-offending rates. His firm is one of the UK’s largest employers of ex-offenders, with more than one in ten of his employees being former prisoners.

His appointment is one of several non-political ministerial appointments made by Starmer, that also includes former government chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance as science minister.

James Timpson OBE @JamesTCobbler has been appointed Minister of State (Minister for Prisons, Parole and Probation) in the Ministry of Justice @MoJGovUK. pic.twitter.com/qJr6p1AKP3

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 5, 2024

Prison Reform Trust has appointed former Prince’s Trust and Which? chief executive Nick Stace as chair to replace Timpson.

“As the Prison Reform Trust is a charity independent of government or any political affiliation, James stood down as chair immediately following his appointment to his new ministerial position,” said the charity.

Prison Reform Trust chief executive Pia Sinha added: “With a new government and PRT poised to launch a new strategic plan, Nick joins us at a critical time.

“Nick’s deep understanding of the sector, combined with his track record of excellence, makes him a formidable new chair for PRT.

“I would also like to thank James Timpson for his inspirational leadership, support, wisdom and generosity during his tenure. These solid foundations will allow Nick, me and the team to deliver our ambitious plans in the years to come.”

Stace is also on the executive committee of Barclays and a former director of strategic communications for former Labour PM Gordon Brown.

“I congratulate my predecessor on his appointment to his new ministerial role and as he takes on his important new responsibilities. PRT looks forward to continuing our work with the new government, and policymakers from across the political spectrum, in this new Parliament,” said Stace.

He added: “The vision of a just, humane, and effective prison system is one I wholeheartedly support and saw the need for this at first hand when leading The Prince’s Trust and the work we did to support young people to turn their lives around.

“I have spent much of my time on issues that have elevated the needs and solutions of people with significant disadvantage, whether because of their starting point in life, or systemic unfairness and I look forward to supporting Pia and the team to continue to do extraordinary work on prison reform.”

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