Rallying Call at Business Leaders Lunch
16 Oct 2025
Published in: Black Country Chamber of Commerce News
Black Country businesses urged to step up for care leavers and ex-offenders.
Businesses across the Black Country are being challenged to play a greater role in supporting care leavers and ex-offenders back into employment, following a rallying call from the region's High Sheriff.
Mark Smith, High Sheriff of the West Midlands, was the guest speaker at the annual Black Country Chamber of Commerce Business Leaders Lunch, held at Weston Park last week.
The special event brought together a diverse cross-section of the region's business community, including leaders from manufacturing, finance, tourism, technology, recruitment and health and safety sectors.
Mr Smith told guests, which also included local charities the Wolves Foundation and Beacon Centre for the Blind, that young people who have left the care system are 15 times more likely to end up with a criminal sentence by the age of 25.
He said: "Two-thirds of children in care have suffered neglect or abuse. When they leave the system at 18, many feel abandoned, and this significantly increases their likelihood of falling into the criminal justice system."
The High Sheriff, who retired as CEO of PwC's UK assurance practice in 2021, said offender rehabilitation was just as important, with ex-offenders typically facing a challenging combination of no accommodation, no food, no finance, no support and "almost invariably no employment" upon release.
"Employment, which then gives financial independence, is pretty critical to getting their lives back on track. Some of these people, in the right environment, with the right structure and right support, can be amongst the most motivated and grateful people you could ever employ."
Sarah Moorhouse, Chief Executive of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: "Mark's presentation was both eye-opening and inspiring. Our business community has always shown great civic responsibility and this is another area where we can make a real difference to people's lives.
“The annual event brings together our Patron and Platinum Chamber members, businesses which are all actively contributing to the community in many ways and we know the High Sheriff’s message was heard loud and clear.”
Mr Smith highlighted successful examples from major employers including Timpson, Iceland Foods, Balfour Beatty and others who have developed "well-organised, understood pathways" for engaging with both groups through apprenticeships, training and full-time employment opportunities.
Black Country businesses were also asked to sign up to the Care Leavers Covenant, a Department for Education initiative based in Wolverhampton that connects 8,000 care leavers with organisations offering training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.
Mr Smith's call comes as part of his broader mission during his year in office to connect organisations and people across the region's justice system.
The High Sheriff also used his speech to highlight the ongoing need for magistrates, with the West Midlands requiring more volunteers to serve.
The High Sheriff's office is organising a visit to HMP Birmingham for interested businesses to engage directly with the prison service and learn more about employment pathways for ex-offenders.
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