A new summer event series hosted by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is set to explore a question that is becoming increasingly relevant for organisations across the UK: are employers overlooking a significant source of talent?
Employing Potential, funded by the Randal Charitable Foundation brings together employers, recruiters, HR professionals, business leaders and people with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to explore the realities of recruiting and supporting people with criminal records (PWCRs).
The initiative responds to a significant workforce challenge. Nearly a quarter of the UK's working-age population has a criminal record, yet many continue to face barriers to employment despite possessing valuable skills, experience and potential.
Hosted by DMU, the summer series creates a space for open and honest discussion around recruitment, disclosure, DBS checks, workplace belonging and career progression. Rather than delivering formal training, the events are designed to encourage constructive dialogue and shared learning between employers and those with lived experience.
Participants will take part in roundtable discussions that examine both the practical and cultural challenges organisations face when considering more inclusive recruitment practices. Attendees will be encouraged to share experiences, question assumptions and reflect on what effective support and progression can look like within their own workplaces.
The events are particularly relevant for those involved in recruitment and workforce planning, including HR professionals, hiring managers, talent acquisition specialists, interview panel members, diversity and inclusion leads and organisational decision-makers.
Organisers hope the series will help employers develop a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with recruiting people with criminal records, while highlighting the benefits of creating pathways into sustainable employment.
By bringing together employers, advocates and individuals with lived experience, Employing Potential aims to support more informed conversations about inclusion, opportunity and the role businesses can play in helping people rebuild their lives through meaningful work.
Posted on Friday 12 June 2026