UK and US Business Leaders to Gather in London for Workforce & Justice Summit

The convening will focus on transatlantic approaches to Fair Chance Hiring and corporate advocacy for justice reform. 

(LONDON, UK) — Business leaders, policy experts and justice reform advocates from the United Kingdom and the United States will gather in London on 14 May for the 2026 Workforce & Justice Summit, an annual convening hosted by the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ). Now in its fifth year, the 2026 Summit will for the first time focus on strengthening transatlantic business collaboration to help both countries’ private sectors more effectively advocate for workforce-enhancing justice reforms and implement hiring practices that welcome job seekers impacted by the justice system. 

“Businesses on both sides of the Atlantic are grappling with the same problems: broken justice policies and a barrier-ridden workforce are blocking them from accessing the capable workers they need,” said Maha Jweied, CEO of RBIJ. “At this year’s Workforce & Justice Summit, we’re eager to address these shared challenges through a first-of-its-kind transatlantic exchange. Companies will have the chance to learn from their peers and experts across sectors and borders about how they can use their unique influence to make the workforce fairer and more prosperous for everyone.” 

In the UK, one in four working-age people has a criminal record; in the US, estimates skew closer to one in three. Unemployment rates for these individuals are significantly higher than for their non-justice-impacted counterparts, in part due to public policies that limit their career options as well as restrictions set by employers on hiring people with certain conviction types.  

During a time when both the UK and the US have struggled against declining labour force participation rates and skills shortages, these outdated laws and hiring norms have hindered many businesses’ ability to stay fully staffed. What’s more, the policies have contributed to negative downstream consequences for both countries’ economic performance and public safety. 

The Summit programme will tackle these issues head-on, featuring a series of panels spotlighting practical, business-led solutions including Fair Chance Hiring and corporate advocacy for justice policy change. Speakers include leaders from major corporate entities — including the British Chambers of Commerce, the US Chamber of Commerce, Randstad, Timpson Group, and Kelly — alongside pioneering small businesses, justice reform organisations and more. 

Sponsors of the 2026 Workforce & Justice Summit shared the following perspectives: 

“At Great Place To Work, we see firsthand that the strongest employers build futures, not barriers. Fairness and inclusion aren’t just cultural values; they lead to stronger performance, better productivity and, according to our research, higher revenue. We’re proud to support this year’s Workforce & Justice Summit,” said Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work.

“For too long, a record has functioned as a disqualifier rather than a single data point, one that obscures far more than it reveals. At Checkr.org, we equip employers with a more complete view of a candidate's skills, reliability, and potential. The Workforce & Justice Summit is a critical forum for advancing that shift toward more informed, inclusive hiring, and we're proud to help drive it forward,” said Christina Louie Dyer, Executive Director of Checkr.org.

“The Fines and Fees Justice Center believes that our criminal legal system has the responsibility to lift people up, not tear them down,” said Priya Sarathy Jones, Co-Executive Director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center. “When our justice system focuses on punishment, the consequences hurt families, communities, and even businesses. As such, we’re proud to support this year’s Workforce & Justice Summit and champion the role that businesses can play in building a fairer, more equitable justice system.” 

“At Kelly, we've partnered with companies across the country to recruit and hire people with records and the feedback is consistent: it's one of the best business decisions they've made. Fair Chance Hiring isn't just the right thing to do; it's smart business and good for communities. Sponsoring the Workforce & Justice Summit is one way we're putting that belief into action,” said Keilon Ratliff, President & Chief Diversity Officer at Kelly.

"Unlocking the potential of the Fair Chance talent pool is a strategic business advantage for organizations across the world,” said Keith Brown, Vice President and Head of Community Impact at Randstad North America. “At Randstad, we’ve seen that inclusive hiring practices drive workforce resilience and fill critical talent gaps with highly motivated workers. Partnering with RBIJ enables us to help bridge the gap between overlooked talent and the industries that need them most."‍ ‍

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About the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ)

RBIJ is an award-winning international non-profit that empowers companies to advance justice and opportunity in public policy, workplaces and modern culture. Since our founding in 2018, we’ve activated over 800 businesses across dozens of policy reform campaigns, inclusive hiring programmes and public awareness efforts, working with some of the world’s most recognised brands. Learn more at rbij.org.