New Futures Network

What New Futures Network does

New Futures Network (NFN) is a specialist employment service operating within His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), an executive agency of the UK Ministry of Justice. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in London, the organisation serves as the primary bridge between UK employers seeking talent and the approximately 50,000 people released from prisons in England and Wales each year. NFN deploys dedicated Prison Employment Leads who staff Employment Hubs in over 90 prisons, run sector-specific "Unlocking" recruitment campaigns (Hospitality, Construction, Manufacturing, Retail & Logistics), and administer the Prisoner ID and Banking Programmes that connect sentenced prisoners with right-to-work documentation and basic bank accounts from seven major UK banks.

NFN's core service portfolio comprises four integrated programmes: (1) Employment Hubs providing in-prison employment support, CV building, and access to vacancies; (2) Employment Advisory Boards (EABs) in 90+ prisons, each chaired by a senior business leader from companies such as KPMG, Lotus Cars, Sodexo, and Timpson, plus regional Employment Councils linking EAB Chairs with Probation and DWP senior leadership; (3) the Prisoner ID and Banking Programmes addressing foundational barriers to post-release employment through seven-bank and UK Finance partnerships; and (4) Unlocking sector recruitment campaigns running for up to six weeks at a time. Supporting services include Going Forward into Employment (GFIE) — a Civil Service pathway delivered with the Cabinet Office — HMP Academies (employer-branded in-prison training with guaranteed interviews), and a Directory of Purpose-Driven Suppliers linking employers to third-sector delivery partners such as Redemption Roasters, The Clink Charity, No Going Back, Fine Cell Work, and Bounce Back. A Digital Employment Service — a searchable job-vacancy database and case management system — is under development.

NFN operates as a non-commercial government service funded by the Ministry of Justice, with all services provided free of charge to employers and prison leavers. The organisation has no private shareholders, investors, or funding rounds; revenue is allocated through departmental budgets. Distribution is achieved through direct enterprise engagement by NFN specialists and EAB Chairs, self-serve employer registration via the website, event-driven recruitment campaigns, and channel partnerships including the Cabinet Office, DWP, MoD, DfE, MakeUK, the Timpson Foundation, and EFFRR. The employer base is highly diversified across hospitality, construction, manufacturing, retail, logistics, financial services, and professional services, with named enterprise partners including Greene King, Wagamama, COOK, Iceland, Greggs, Kier Group, O'Neill & Brennan, Wates, Willmott Dixon, KPMG, Timpson, and Lotus Cars.

Name

New Futures Network

Legal name

New Futures Network

Website

https://newfuturesnetwork.gov.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

New Futures Network is a UK government specialist service within HMPPS that connects employers across England and Wales with prison leavers via Employment Hubs in 90+ prisons, Employment Advisory Boards, Prisoner ID and Banking programmes, and sector-specific Unlocking recruitment campaigns.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funded Service: New Futures Network is a specialist part of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), funded by the Ministry of Justice. Services are provided free of charge to both employers and prison leavers.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

New Futures Network is a specialist part of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) that connects UK employers with prisoners and prison leavers for employment. It operates Employment Hubs inside prisons, runs the Prisoner ID and Prisoner Banking programmes with seven major banks, manages Employment Advisory Boards chaired by business leaders, and runs sector-specific Unlocking recruitment campaigns (Hospitality, Construction, Manufacturing, Retail & Logistics). Services are provided free of charge to employers and prison leavers, funded by the UK Ministry of Justice.

Product overview

New Futures Network is a specialist part of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) that operates as a platform of interconnected employment support services for prisoners and prison leavers in England and Wales. The core portfolio includes Employment Hubs (physical spaces managed by Prison Employment Leads), the Prisoner ID Programme and Prisoner Banking Programme (enabling documentation and banking access), Employment Advisory Boards (business-led governance in over 90 prisons), and Unlocking sector-specific recruitment campaigns. Supporting services include Going Forward into Employment (Civil Service pathways), HMP Academies (employer-branded training), and the Directory of Purpose-Driven Suppliers. A new digital employment service is under development to provide a searchable job vacancy database and case management functionality.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Unlocking: New Futures Network's flagship national recruitment campaign brand that runs sector-specific campaigns (e.g., Unlocking Hospitality, Unlocking Construction, Unlocking Manufacturing, Unlocking Retail and Logistics) to increase employment opportunities for prisoners and prison leavers.
• Prisoner ID Programme
• Prisoner Banking Programme
• Employment Advisory Boards (EABs)
• Employment Hubs

Products and services

• Employment Hubs Dedicated physical spaces in over 90 prisons across England and Wales, staffed by Prison Employment Leads, where prisoners can access employment support, CV building, career guidance, job vacancy information, and assistance with bank accounts and ID documentation. Available to prisoners and partnering employers.
• Prisoner ID Programme Programme providing right-to-work documentation including birth certificates, adoption certificates, driving licences, and marriage/civil partnership certificates to prison leavers to facilitate employment upon release. Used by prison leavers and their prospective employers.
• Prisoner Banking Programme Programme enabling sentenced prisoners to apply for basic bank accounts whilst in custody through partnerships with seven UK banking providers, addressing one of the principal barriers to employment on release.
• Unlocking Recruitment Campaigns Flagship national sector-specific recruitment campaigns running for up to six weeks each, focusing on sectors such as hospitality, construction, manufacturing, and retail & logistics. They bring employers into prisons for workplace-style training, events, and interviews to match prison leavers with job opportunities.
• Going Forward into Employment (GFIE) Civil Service recruitment scheme providing entry routes into government jobs for people facing employment barriers, including prison leavers and those with unspent convictions, delivered in partnership with the Cabinet Office. NFN advertises roles to prisoners and secures candidates for government departments.
• HMP Academies Employer-hosted and branded training spaces within prisons providing on-the-job training for prisoners in preparation for employment on release, with guaranteed interviews to successful graduates. Examples include Greene King's Releasing Potential Academies at HMP Thameside and HMP Onley.

Quantifiable outcome

• Prison leavers employed at 6 weeks increased by over 50% between April 2021 and March 2022
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers41 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cabinet Office - Going Forward into Employment (GFIE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFN works with the Cabinet Office GFIE team to provide prison leavers with a route into Civil Service jobs. NFN advertises roles to prisoners and secures candidates for government department positions.
• Ministry of Defence (MoD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFN works with MoD to deliver workshops in prisons for production and refurbishment of equipment used by service personnel. Provides prisoners with transferable skills for employment.
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational collaboration with DWP's National Employer and Partnership Team. DWP Prison Work Coaches work with Prison Employment Leads; ensure access to Universal Credit via job centres.
• Department for Education (DfE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide serving prisoners in open prisons access to apprenticeships with industry-standard training and direct route to employment.
• Employers' Forum For Reducing Reoffending (EFFRR)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployer-led forum providing business-to-business support for organizations recruiting prison leavers. NFN attends meetings and supports EFFRR's work to inspire employers to consider prison leavers.
• ClinkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSector body for criminal justice charities. NFN works with Clinks and the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group to ensure voluntary sector voice is heard at national level.
• Working ChancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK's only employment charity solely for women with convictions. Supports women to develop confidence and skills for employment; provides guidance on hiring people with convictions.
• BarclayscoreOthersOne of seven banking providers in the Prisoner Banking Programme. Enables sentenced prisoners to apply for basic bank accounts for use on release.
• Co-operative BankcoreOthersPrisoner Banking Programme partner providing basic bank accounts to eligible prisoners.
• HSBCcoreOthersPrisoner Banking Programme partner.
• Lloyds GroupcoreOthersPrisoner Banking Programme partner.
• NatWest GroupcoreOthersPrisoner Banking Programme partner.
• SantandercoreOthersPrisoner Banking Programme partner.
• Nationwide Building SocietycoreOthersPrisoner Banking Programme partner.
• UK FinancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports and works with New Futures Network and member firms on the Prisoner Banking Programme. Finance sector has reduced number of unbanked adults in UK.
• StandOutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity supporting people in prison to secure employment on release through mentoring and job readiness training.
• Redemption RoastersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise on a mission to reduce reoffending through coffee. Runs barista and technician training in prisons; employs prison leavers in 12 shops.
• The Clink CharitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional catering and fine-dining restaurants in prisons. Provides accredited hospitality training to prisoners.
• No Going BackminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial cleaning and facilities management company providing training, mentoring and employment to prison leavers.
• The GlasshouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlant installation and maintenance services. Trains and employs women currently in or recently released from prisons.
• Fine Cell WorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity providing paid, professional craft opportunities to people in prison and post-release.
• Bounce BackminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommercial painting, decorating and property services. Trains prisoners and supports them into employment post-release.
• XO BikesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefurbished bicycles business. Trains prisoners in mechanics; employs prison leavers to refurbish and sell bikes.
• MakeUKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritain's largest manufacturing trade body. Partnered with NFN for Unlocking Manufacturing campaign. Members include Kyocera, Morgan Furniture, A.J. Wells & Sons.
• Only A Pavement AwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity connecting hospitality employers with people facing homelessness, prison leavers, and veterans. Runs jobs board for prisoners.
• The Timpson FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between HMPPS, New Futures Network, and The Timpson Foundation to deliver Employment Advisory Boards.
• The Recruitment JunctioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivers 'Inside Job' peer-led project at HMP Durham. Works with trained peer-prisoner recruiters and PEL to prepare candidates.
• ComensuraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with HMP Drake Hall EAB to organize 'Untapped Potential' employer engagement event.
• Norse GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Justin Galliford chairs HMP Norwich EAB. Norse Group has recruited individuals into operational roles through Future Horizons initiative.
• Project Leaders / The CIPD TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeople and Communications Director Alison Bell chairs HMP The Mount EAB. Delivered Railway Training Track initiative with rail industry partners.
• Breakthrough Social EnterprisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 12-week training programmes using technology skills to help prison leavers move towards employment. Staffed entirely by people with lived experience of the justice system.
• NovuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation provider in prisons. Partner in Unlocking Hospitality events supporting prison leaver employment.
• Waves and Gilmore GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Joanna Graham chairs HMP Downview EAB and supports women's employment strategy.
• Only A Pavement AwaycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSupports prison leavers with interview preparation, clothing for interviews, and ongoing support post-release. Successfully placed individuals with employers.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Clink Charity: Operates training restaurants inside UK prisons providing accredited hospitality training to prisoners. Directly comparable as an in-prison training and post-release employment charity partner of NFN.
• Working Chance: The UK's only employment charity solely for women with convictions. Directly comparable as a specialist reentry employment charity operating in the same prisoner-to-employment space, focused on the gender gap NFN is also trying to close.
• Only A Pavement Away: UK hospitality-focused charity connecting prison leavers, veterans, and homeless individuals with hospitality jobs. Directly comparable as a prison leaver employment charity operating in hospitality (one of NFN's primary verticals).
• Recycling Lives Social Enterprise: Social enterprise running in-prison workshops for over 11 years and placing prison leavers into employment with wraparound support. Directly comparable as a long-standing prison leaver employment charity.
• StandOut: UK charity supporting people in prison to secure employment on release via mentoring and job readiness training. Directly comparable as a prison-focused employment readiness provider.
• Timpson Foundation: The Timpson Foundation is a co-delivery partner of NFN's Employment Advisory Boards and the most prominent private-sector UK employer of prison leavers. It is directly comparable as a prison-leaver employment programme with shared governance ties to HMPPS.

Broad incumbents

• Clinks: UK sector body supporting voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system. Comparable as the umbrella body for many NFN third-sector partners; operates one level above direct service delivery.
• Reed Employment: One of the UK's largest generalist employment placement agencies. Comparable as a scaled UK employment placement operator, but with a much broader mandate (not prison-leaver focused).
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) / JobCentre Plus: UK government department delivering employment support, including Prison Work Coaches who operate inside prisons alongside NFN's Prison Employment Leads. Comparable as the overarching public-sector employment support body that NFN integrates with.

Regional players

• Center for Employment Opportunities (US): US-based nonprofit providing immediate employment and career support to people returning home from incarceration. Directly comparable as a prison-to-employment service provider, but operating in the US rather than the UK.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NewFutrsNet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-futures-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New Futures Network