Exceptional Voices is a podcast shining a light on businesses that champion inclusive recruitment and hire people with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
The podcast is created by The Exceptionals, an award-wining social change campaign and online resource hub that opens doors for employers to hire people with convictions.
Follow The Exceptionals on LinkedIn for updates on our campaign.
http://www.theexceptionals.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-exceptionals/
KPMG believes in creating opportunities and building a more inclusive workforce, which is why they developed the New Futures Programme — supporting prison leavers with skills development, mentoring, and access to meaningful work.
In this special episode, The Exceptional Voices Team are live from KPMG’s Canary Wharf headquarters to meet the team behind New Futures, including Thea Tomison and Francesca Hall, and hear from Rohan, a participant currently taking part in the initiative.
Since launching in 2022, New Futures has supported over 50 prison leavers, with several going on to permanent roles at KPMG. By sharing their journey, KPMG hopes to inspire employers across the UK to follow their lead and build a more diverse workforce for the future.
Guest Speakers
Thea Tomison, New Futures Programme Lead and Management Consultant, KPMG
Francesca Hall, New Futures Programme Lead and Assistant Manager, KPMG
Rohan, New Futures Programme Participant
https://kpmg.com/uk/en/insights/value/new-futures-programme.html
For more information on The Exceptionals Campaign, please visit: http://www.theexceptionals.org
Exceptional Voices is hosted by The Woven Foundation: https://wovenfoundation.org.uk
7 Apr 2026
Seeds of Change
The Glasshouse is a social enterprise specialising in indoor plantscaping, dedicated to empowering women through meaningful horticultural training and employment. Co-founded by Kali Hamerton-Stove and Melissa Murdoch, the project is based at East Sutton Park Prison and supports participants after release with housing and job placements. Their innovative work was recently recognised with a Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2025.
In this episode, The Exceptional Voices Team explore the work of The Glasshouse, joined by founder Kali, and Ri, whose journey illustrates the transformative impact of the programme.
Guest Speakers
Kali Hamerton-Stove, Co-Founder, The Glasshouse
Ri, Glasshouse Programme Participant
https://www.theglasshouse.co.uk
For more information on The Exceptionals Campaign, please visit: http://www.theexceptionals.org
Exceptional Voices is hosted by The Woven Foundation: https://wovenfoundation.org.uk
31 Mar 2026
Managing Risk, Rebuilding Lives
Dominic Headley FRSA is the UK’s leading expert on safe and fair recruitment and a trusted government advisor on criminal record policy. He is also author of Recruiting Safely and Fairly: A Practical Guide to Employing People with Convictions, developed in partnership with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
In this special episode, launching series two of Exceptional Voices, Dominic explores effective risk management: how employers can hire prison leavers with confidence, and why shifting perceptions around risk in the workplace is key to unlocking new talent.
Guest Speaker: Dominic Headley FRSA https://www.dominicheadleyassociates.co.uk
For more information on The Exceptionals Campaign, please visit: http://www.theexceptionals.org
Exceptional Voices is hosted by The Woven Foundation: https://wovenfoundation.org.uk
27 Apr 2023
Exceptional Women in The Workplace
Working Chance is the UK’s only employment charity solely for women with convictions. Since 2009, they have supported thousands of women to find jobs, thrive in the workplace and build careers for the future.
In this episode, we are joined by Working Chance's chief executive Natasha Finlayson, who explains the support they provide and the exceptional outcomes they achieve for both women looking for work and employers with live vacancies.
19 Apr 2023
Doing The Right Thing
Pret believes that employment is part of the solution to homelessness and reducing reoffending, which is why they developed The Rising Stars Programme, offering jobs and training in local Pret shops.
In this episode, The Exceptionals Team are live from Pret HQ in London Victoria to learn more about their pioneering approach to diverse recruitment.
Guest Speakers
Daksha Stancilas, Talent and Development Partner, Pret
Katy Doolan, Employment Manager, The Pret Foundation
CK, Pret Team Member from The Rising Stars Programme
19 Apr 2023
Diversity in The Workplace
Businesses want to employ the very best people. People with different life experiences who bring diversity of thought to problem solving and innovation.
This special episode for National Inclusion Week, recorded at The Conduit in Covent Garden, is about diversity and inclusion in the workplace from a prison leaver perspective. We will hear from three brilliant organisations who have all found opportunities to shift the way they think about recruitment.
Guest Speakers:
Zara Easton, Head of Brand Marketing UK, LinkedIn
Annie Gale, Head of Raw Talent and Apprenticeships, COOK Trading Ltd
Shauna Devlin, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Fat Beehive
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