Successfully placing ex-offenders into sustainable employment

Every person deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life.
At Tempus Novo, we believe employment is one of the most powerful ways to make that possible. Since 2014, we’ve been connecting people with criminal convictions to meaningful work while supporting employers to build committed, successful workforces.

Tempus Novo was founded in Leeds in 2014 by two former Prison Officers who believed there was a better way. They recognised that sustainable employment, combined with the right support, could transform lives, strengthen businesses and, create safer communities.

Today, we work with prisons, probation services, and employers across Yorkshire and beyond, connecting people with criminal convictions to meaningful employment and supporting both employee and employer every step of the way.

Our work doesn’t end when someone starts a job. Through ongoing mentoring, practical guidance, and trusted relationships, we help people build confidence, overcome challenges, and create lasting futures. It’s this commitment to long-term support that makes our model so successful

Opportunity changes lives. Support makes it last.

“We didn’t set out simply to help people find jobs. We wanted to create a model that gave people the opportunity to rebuild their lives, and employers the confidence to be part of that journey.”

Founders – Steve & Val

Every great organisation starts with a belief.

In 2014, former Prison Officers Steve Freer and Val Wawrosz had seen first-hand what happened when people left prison with nowhere to go. Too many wanted to rebuild their lives but faced the same barriers time and again: no employment, little support and few people willing to give them a second chance.
They believed there had to be a better way.

Drawing on decades of experience within the prison service, they created Tempus Novo around one simple idea: that meaningful employment, combined with long-term support, has the power to transform lives.

What began as a local initiative in Leeds has grown into a respected charity working with prisons, probation services and employers across Yorkshire and beyond. While much has changed, the belief that inspired Steve and Val remains exactly the same today.

When someone is given an opportunity, trusted to succeed and supported along the way, remarkable things can happen.

A belief that’s delivering real results.

More than a decade later, Tempus Novo has helped over 1,400 people into sustainable employment, built trusted partnerships with some of the UK’s largest employers and continues to demonstrate that opportunity, support and employment can break the cycle of reoffending.

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OUR PURPOSE

Creating opportunities that change lives through sustainable employment.

OUR MISSION

To connect people with criminal convictions to meaningful work while providing the support that helps them succeed.

OUR PROMISE

To stand alongside every individual and every employer, providing trusted support before, during and after employment.

Nationally recognised for our award-winning approach.

The people behind Tempus Novo

Behind every placement is a team of experienced professionals who believe in people, build trusted relationships and work tirelessly to support individuals, employers and partners every day.

Managing Director & CoFounder

With over three decades in the prison service, Val brings deep expertise in offender management and criminal justice reform. He sits on the MOJ Employment Advisory Board and contributes to national policy through the Centre for Social Justice. As Managing Director, he oversees operations and key relationships with prisons and employers. Val’s leadership is grounded in integrity, experience and a firm belief in people’s ability to change when given the chance.

CEO & CoFounder

Steve spent nearly 30 years in the UK Prison Service before cofounding Tempus Novo in 2014. His frontline experience showed him how lack of opportunity drives reoffending, inspiring him to build a charity centred on employment as a route to change. Under his leadership, Tempus Novo has supported more than 1,400 people into work and built strong partnerships with major employers. Steve leads with a
peoplefirst approach, creating a culture of trust and practical, evidencebased impact.

Director of Fundraising

Lisa is an experienced fundraising and business development leader who plays a key role in Tempus Novo’s longterm sustainability. Previously at NEBOSH, she is known for her professionalism, strategic thinking and ability to build trusted relationships with donors and partners. Lisa brings a mission driven approach to securing resources, ensuring every opportunity is pursued with rigour and creativity.

Operations Manager

Caroline brings over 35 years of private sector experience and a longstanding commitment to fairness through her service as a Magistrate. She oversees service delivery, manages a team of Case Workers and provides handson support to individuals moving into employment. Caroline combines strong operational leadership with a compassionate, people centred approach.

Head of People, Performance & Partnerships

Paul leads Tempus Novo’s people strategy, organisational performance and external partnerships. With over a decade of experience across HR, recruitment and employment support, he understands how to build high performing, valued organisations. Paul is known for his practical, straight talking approach and his commitment to inclusive recruitment, wellbeing and continuous improvement.

Administrator and Case Worker

In my new role as an Administrator and Case Worker, I am dedicated to creating opportunities for second chances and supporting sustainable long-term change in the lives of ex-offenders and their families. With a strong belief that with the right support, guidance and opportunities it can transform lives. I am excited to help individuals rebuild their futures and achieve lasting success.

My previous experience within the criminal justice system has provided valuable insight into the challenges and barriers many people face when seeking employment and moving forward. This understanding enables me to offer informed compassionate and practical support tailored to each individual’s unique circumstances.

Being part of a dedicated and passionate team is both rewarding and inspiring. Together we share a common purpose by helping individuals overcome obstacles and realise their potential and build brighter more stable futures through sustainable employment. Witnessing the positive impact of this work not only on individuals but also on their families and wider communities is what makes this role so meaningful.

Project Director

Ross has extensive experience in Welfare to Work and recruitment, supporting a wide range of people – including exoffenders, exforces personnel and disabled individuals – into employment. Since joining Tempus Novo 3.5 years ago, he has worked across prisons, ROTL and community delivery, and now leads the PCC project in Cheshire. Ross is adaptable, solutions focused and skilled at navigating the challenges of working with prisons and probation services.

Business Manager

Faye provides the operational backbone of Tempus Novo, ensuring day today activity aligns with strategic priorities. With experience in customer service, operations, project management and people leadership, she brings calm, clarity and strong organisational skills. Often described as the “organisational glue,” Faye connects teams, strengthens processes and keeps the charity focused on impact.

Case Worker

Jeff Williams joins Tempus Novo as a Case Worker following a distinguished 41-year career in the Prison Service leaving at the rank of Supervisory Officer (SO) as Jeff would say, “all the best people do”.

Jeff brings extensive experience across a wide range of custodial roles combining strong operational knowledge with many years working in offender management. Throughout his career he has been committed to supporting individuals who want to break away from offending behaviour and build more positive stable future.

In his role as an Offender Supervisor Jeff worked closely with Probation Services and a range of external partner agencies playing a key role in coordinating support and achieving positive outcomes for those in custody. His collaborative approach and deep understanding of the criminal justice system make him a valuable addition to the Tempus Novo team.

Jeff is particularly drawn to Tempus Novo’s proven track record strong links with major employers, and its ethos of providing extended meaningful support well beyond job placement, these principles he believes are central to long-term success and real change.

Case Worker

Alina joins Tempus Novo as a caseworker after working within the prison service for 3 years.

In her previous role she assisted in helping prisoners internally whilst they served a custodial sentence and has now decided to explore and support those when they are due to be released. After seeing the work that Tempus Novo achieves, she is determined to help ex-offenders rehabilitation into a more secure environment and lifestyle after release.

Finance Manager

Michael is a qualified accountant with an MBA and a career spanning major organisations such as BP, Dan Air and ICI, alongside many years running his own
consultancy. He provides financial oversight, reporting and governance for Tempus Novo, ensuring clarity, compliance and strong decision making. Michael’s blend of technical expertise and commercial insight helps keep the charity financially resilient and well governed.

The executives

Our leadership team and trustees bring together a wealth of experience from business, criminal justice and the voluntary sector. Their guidance, challenge and commitment help shape our strategy and ensure Tempus Novo continues to make a lasting difference.

Managing Director & CoFounder

Val joined the Prison Service in 1988, gaining extensive experience across custodial and offender management roles. He is recognised as an influential voice in prison reform and serves on the MOJ Employment Advisory Board at HMP Hatfield. Val is also an Executive in Residence at Sheffield Hallam University and a Leadership Fellow of St George’s House, Windsor. As Managing Director, he leads Tempus Novo’s operations and key relationships with prisons, businesses and employers.

CEO & CoFounder

Steve has worked in the criminal justice system since 1986, beginning at HMP Wormwood Scrubs before leading rehabilitation initiatives across prisons in the North of England. As Business Development Manager at HMP Leeds, he developed the sustainable employment model that became the foundation for Tempus Novo. Co-founder and CEO, Steve leads the charity’s strategy, fundraising, marketing and stakeholder relationships. He is also an influential voice on prison reform and a Leadership Fellow of St George’s House.

Vice President

His Honour John Samuels KC is Chairman of the Criminal Justice Alliance and President of Prisoners’ Education Trust. A former Circuit Judge with 27 years’
experience in the Crown Court, he has dedicated much of his career to criminal justice reform, rehabilitation and education. He is a Trustee of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Vice President of UNLOCK and a Visiting Professor at Nottingham Law School, bringing exceptional expertise and insight to Tempus Novo.

President

Vice President

Sir James is a passionate supporter of causes across Yorkshire. After attending a Tempus Novo event at Eversheds, where he met and heard from graduates, he was inspired to offer his support. A recent visit to HMP Leeds (Armley) reinforced his commitment to rehabilitation and second chances. Passionate about Yorkshire, Sir James believes those facing disadvantage deserve a genuine hand up, and champions the difference Tempus Novo can make.

Vice President

Dolly Theis first met Val and Steve while working as a researcher at the Centre for Social Justice in Westminster. She is currently completing a PhD in evidence-based policy at the University of Cambridge and serves on the Board of Big Tent Ideas Festival. A co-founder of 50:50 Parliament’s #AskHerToStand campaign, Dolly is a passionate advocate for Tempus Novo, engaging policymakers and championing its mission.

The trustees

Trustee

Tom is a retired Solicitor after 34 years in private practice, during which he acted for a number of charities, both pro bono and on a fee-paying basis. Tom joined an educational charity as Director of Administration and Compliance.

In September 2022 he moved to part-time working, dealing with governance matters only, for that charity.

Since November 2022 Tom has been the Chair of the Harrogate Arts and Mercer Gallery Development Trust, a local arts-based charity. Tom knows from firsthand experience the difference that well run and dynamic charities can make and was delighted to be asked to contribute to the invaluable work being delivered by Tempus Novo.

Married with four adult children and, to date, six grandchildren, Tom lives in Harrogate. He is an enthusiastic walker and is now enjoying having time to explore some of the many ancient Caminos in Europe.

Treasurer

Henry currently works at Deloitte, as a Director in their Debt and Capital Advisory team. Henry started his career in Deloitte’s audit practice, gaining experience across a range of businesses as well as qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.

After being introduced to Tempus Novo, Henry was struck by the large impact small changes can make on the lives of ex-offenders and their families.

Trustee

Charles worked in Kenya and as a re-insurance broker in the London market before returning home to manage the family estate at Escrick Park, near York.

Passionate about reducing reoffending, Charles started and chairs for a fundraising committee for a residential rehabilitation centre in Hull run by the Forward Trust, supporting the recovery for addicted ex-offenders.

Charles has been Chairman of the Trustees of Selby Abbey and the Appeal, a governor of Queen Margaret’s School, Chairman of the CLA Yorkshire branch, a Trustee of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and High Sheriff of North Yorkshire in 2015/16.

Our ambassadors & champions of our mission

Our leadership team and trustees bring together a wealth of experience from business, criminal justice and the voluntary sector. Their guidance, challenge and commitment help shape our strategy and ensure Tempus Novo continues to make a lasting difference.