James Timpson, Baron Timpson OBE, is a prominent British businessman and politician, currently serving as the Minister of State for Prisons, Probation, and Reducing Reoffending. Known for his ethical leadership and commitment to social justice, James is an engaging speaker who combines business acumen with a passion for reforming the criminal justice system. He was the CEO of the Timpson Group, owned by his father John Timpson, for over 22 years, until his recent appointment as a minister under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government.
James’s early career was defined by a strong educational foundation and family influence - pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Durham University before joining the family business, the Timpson Group. From a young age, James was immersed in a culture of social responsibility, largely inspired by his mother, Alex, who was a children's rights campaigner. This upbringing influenced his future business decisions at Timpsons, his tenure seeing the company's remarkable expansion, including the integration of socially responsible practices, such as employing ex-offenders, which now makes up over 10% of the company's workforce. His contributions to society have been recognised with several honours, including an OBE in 2011 for services to training and employment for disadvantaged individuals.
In 2018, James was chosen by Prime Minister Theresa May to co-chair one of five new business councils, advising on the best conditions for UK businesses post-Brexit. He led the Small Business, Scale-ups, and Entrepreneurs Council. In 2021, Prime Minister Boris Johnson reappointed him as a trustee of Tate for a four-year term. Throughout 2021, he wrote a business and leadership column for The Sunday Times, which inspired his book The Happy Index: Lessons in Upside-Down Management, published in 2024. In 2022, James became Chancellor of Keele University, enhancing his impact on business and academia. In 2024, he was appointed Minister of State for Prisons, Parole, and Probation by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He was made Baron Timpson of Manley in 2024 and introduced to the House of Lords shortly after.
As a speaker, James Timpson brings a wealth of experience and knowledge on topics such as transformative leadership, corporate social responsibility, and prison reform. His approach to ethical capitalism and his real-world experience in creating job opportunities for ex-offenders make him a compelling choice for organisations seeking to inspire positive change. His insights are not only relevant but crucial in today's climate, where businesses are increasingly expected to play a role in social justice and community development.
How to hire James Timpson
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring James Timpson for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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James Timpson’s Official Speaker Topics are listed below:
- Transformative Leadership and Upside-Down Management
- Ethical Business Practices and Corporate Social Responsibility
- Prison Reform and Rehabilitation
- The Role of Employment in Reducing Reoffending
- The Business Case for Hiring Ex-Offenders
- Social Justice and Business Leadership
- 2024 - Appointed Minister of State for Prisons, Probation, and Reducing Reoffending
- 2024 - Published The Happy Index: Lessons in Upside-Down Management
- 2023 - Nominated for a Life Peerage, created Baron Timpson, of Manley in the County of Cheshire
- 2022 - Appointed Chancellor of Keele University
- 2021 - Reappointed Trustee of Tate, contributing to the arts and cultural sector
- 2018 - Co-chaired the Small Business, Scale-ups and Entrepreneurs Council for the UK government
- 2016 - Became Chair of the Prison Reform Trust, advocating for better rehabilitation opportunities
- 2016 - Founded the Employment Advisory Board network across the UK prison estate
- 2013 - Recognised as one of the most influential leaders in UK retail by Retail Week
- 2011 - Awarded OBE for services to training and employment for disadvantaged people
- 2010 - Introduced the Timpson Foundation, which focuses on employing ex-offenders, a model now widely praised and emulated
- 2002 - Appointed CEO of the Timpson Group, driving the company's growth to over 2,000 stores
- 1997 - Implemented a company-wide initiative focused on employee welfare and job satisfaction, now a hallmark of Timpson's corporate culture
