The Team

User Voice = user led: to be true to what we stand for and good at what we do, User Voice will always be majority staffed and led by people who have experienced the criminal justice system.

This guiding principle makes us a unique provider in the sector. Our work is underpinned by innovative methods of engagement and research that proves the effectiveness of our approach.

Founder, Mark Johnson

Mark has a history of serious crime, homelessness and drug abuse. He went through rehabilitation at the age of 29, and since then has become a leading figure in the criminal justice reform movement.

Mark is a former advisor to local, central and senior government bodies, endorsed by HRH The Prince of Wales and is a winner of the Pride of Britain Award.

He used to run a highly successful tree-surgery business, which employed ex-offenders and brings to User Voice an entrepreneurial approach.

Mark’s autobiography, Wasted, is a best seller, and he is a regular keynote speaker and Guardian columnist.

The office: This team develops the business side of User Voice and is made up of talent from the commercial, academic and voluntary sectors.

The frontline: All our staff that work directly with service users have a history of offending themselves. This is crucial in giving us the insight, credibility and access to do our job well.

The team is also highly qualified in counselling, substance-abuse treatment and rehabilitation methods.

The non-executive and advisory Boards: Currently being recruited, our Boards will bring together significant talent and experience from the worlds of business, government, market research, academia and the voluntary sector. It will also always have a 30% service user-presence.