New Event Series Encourages Employers to Rethink Recruitment and Unlock Untapped Talent
5 June 2026A new summer event series hosted by De Montfort University is set to bring together employers, recruiters, business leaders, employment support professionals, and people with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to explore a question that is becoming increasingly relevant for organisations across the UK: are employers overlooking a significant source of talent?
Funded by the Randal Charitable Foundation, Employing Potential aims to create an open and engaging space for discussion around the recruitment and support of people with criminal records. With almost a quarter of the UK working-age population holding a criminal record, the initiative seeks to encourage organisations to reflect on their hiring practices and consider the opportunities that more inclusive recruitment can offer.
Rather than providing formal training, the events will focus on honest conversations, shared experiences, and practical insights from both employers and individuals with lived experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the realities of recruitment, workplace support, organisational culture, and the barriers that can prevent talented candidates from accessing employment.
The series comes at a time when many employers are facing ongoing skills shortages and challenges in attracting and retaining staff. Advocates for fair chance hiring argue that people with criminal records represent a largely untapped talent pool with the potential to bring valuable skills, resilience, and commitment to the workplace.
Research and employer experience have increasingly challenged common misconceptions about hiring ex-offenders. Many employers who have adopted inclusive recruitment practices report strong levels of loyalty and commitment among employees with criminal records. Studies have also suggested that, when given the opportunity to rebuild their lives through stable employment, ex-offenders can demonstrate retention rates that compare favourably with the wider workforce, while some employers report lower rates of absenteeism and strong workplace engagement.
For many individuals leaving the criminal justice system, employment is a critical factor in reducing reoffending and supporting successful reintegration into society. By opening up conversations between employers and people with lived experience, Employing Potential aims to highlight both the social and business benefits of creating more inclusive pathways into work.
Organisers hope the events will encourage businesses of all sizes—from SMEs to large organisations—to move beyond assumptions and engage with the practical realities of fair chance recruitment.
“Employing Potential is about creating a space for meaningful dialogue,” organisers said. “We want employers to hear directly from people with lived experience, learn from organisations already embracing inclusive recruitment, and explore what fair access to employment can look like in practice.”
The event series is expected to attract a diverse range of participants from across the employment, education, charity, and business sectors, offering valuable opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration.
As organisations continue to search for new ways to address workforce challenges, Employing Potential seeks to demonstrate that expanding recruitment horizons can benefit not only individuals seeking a second chance, but businesses looking for dedicated and capable employees.
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