This episode looks at leadership, evidence, and systems change in one of the most complex areas of public policy: the criminal justice system. We are joined by two leaders who work at the heart of this system.

Anne Fox, outgoing Chief Executive of Clinks, the national infrastructure body that supports and represents voluntary organisations working with people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families. Clinks plays a vital role amplifying frontline voices and ensuring lived experience shapes policy and commissioning.

And Dr Ruth Armstrong, Director of Justice Matters. Ruth is a lawyer, academic and criminologist whose work focuses on helping organisations use evidence, and co-production with those who have lived experience, to deliver lasting change.

Together, we explore the current state of criminal justice in the UK. What re-imagining the system might look like, how we need to build community for those coming out of the system, and what we all, as a society, need to do to build a world where we can all be safe.

It's a provocative conversation. Trigger warnings: we discuss criminality, violent offences and suicide.

Recorded February 2026. Episode sponsored by EdenTree Investment Management

Secret Life of Prisons podcast: Clinks Conference 2026, Lord James Timpson and Anne Fox

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/live-at-clinks-conference-2026-lord-james-timpson-and/id1481971681?i=1000747623671

In the fight for children’s rights, the Global Fund for Children champions bold ideas that might otherwise go unheard. Global Fund for Children or GFC is a global nonprofit dedicated to discovering, funding, and coaching community-based organisations and individuals, who are driving change at the grass-roots, on issues like gender justice, education, and youth power.

What makes GFC's approach noteworthy is its commitment to shared power.

GFC holds that children and young people already know how to solve problems in their communities. They are innovators, problem solvers, dreamers, and leaders. What they need isn't rescue - it's belief, resources, and the space to lead.

In this episode, Global Co-CEOs of the Global Fund for Children, Hayley Roffey and John Hecklinger, talk about GFC’s model as an intermediary funder providing flexible, trust-based funding and support, sometimes to children as young as 10! And the impact of genuinely putting decision-making power in the hands of children and young people. We discuss the importance of engaging young men and boys, if we are to create a truly gender equitable world. And they share perspectives on co-leadership, and the importance of re-imagining development and philanthropy, and re-building for change.

Recorded December 2025.

Sarah Elliott started as the new CEO of the UK charity, Shelter, in September 2025, having previously run the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) for 5 years.

Shelter exists to defend everyone’s right to a safe home. Campaigning for housing justice since 1966, Shelter has fought hard to change the housing system in the UK.

In June 2025, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, announced a £39 Billion investment, for social and affordable housing. The Renters Rights Act, passed in October, also brings much needed, widespread reform to the UK’s private rental sector.

A second-time guest on the show, in this episode, Sarah reflects on Shelter’s impact, her approach to leadership, and the joy of working in a cause-led organisation. We explore her experience of partnering with government and now seeing the Civil Society Covenant come to life. She discusses Shelter’s hard-hitting report My Colour Speaks Before Me on racism and discrimination in the housing sector, and shares her vision for the charity’s future.

Recorded November 2025.