Our people

Annette, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Annette joined us in November 2025.  Annette brings extensive experience across the charity and legal sectors, with a background as a lawyer working on human rights, death penalty and criminal justice reform globally. In her last role as Director at the Criminal Justice Alliance, she led the team in championing a fairer and more effective justice system, extending the organisation’s reach and strengthening its influence. She is currently on the Board of Hibiscus Initiatives.

Suzanne, Fundraising and Communications Manager

Suzanne joined the Hardman Trust in 2023 following a career in domestic abuse support services. She joins the organisation as its first fundraiser, helping us to build relationships with funders and secure the income required to provide our programmes and services. She also leads on communications, raising awareness of our work and creating content for our newsletters and social media posts.

Kirsty, Products and Partnerships Officer

Kirsty joined the staff team in 2023 after volunteering with us for 18 months. She has a background in business and projects. Now she helps produce the Hardman Directory and other new initiatives to support our strategy.

Jason, LSP Caseworker

Jason is an experienced criminal justice and resettlement professional with extensive experience supporting individuals with forensic histories across custody and community settings.  His work spans homelessness, housing, mental health, substance misuse and offender rehabilitation, with a strong focus on helping people overcome complex barriers.

With a background delivering resettlement and employment pathways in prisons, including HMPS Wandsworth, Brixton, and Downview, he brings strong multi-agency partnerships, custodial clearance up to Category B and a practical, person-centred approach.  He is committed to ongoing professional development and creating lasting change for people rebuilding their lives after the criminal justice system.

Jessie, Programmes & Volunteer Coordinator

Jessie (or Jess!) joined the Hardman Trust in September 2024.  Jess joined us after working for the Citizens Advice Witness Service for over seven years and has experience in running the service and managing teams of volunteers to support victims of crime.  Jess also works for a local homeless charity as a project worker and is studying for a BSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice.  As the Trust’s Programme & Volunteer Coordinator, Jess’s work covers multiple areas of the Hardman Trust’s services, including Grants and Penfriends.

Philippa, Office, Grants & Programme Administrator

Philippa joined The Hardman Trust in June 2025 as the Programmes & Office Administrator. She brings experience from her previous roles within the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), including Business Manager for the Independent Monitoring Board. She has a strong background in working with and coordinating volunteers. As the Trust’s Programmes & Office Administrator, Philippa supports all aspects of the Service Delivery team’s work. 

Kevin Wong

Kevin is Visiting Reader at Manchester Metropolitan University, and currently serving as Chairperson of the Probation Professional Registration Panel. He is also the Editor of the British Journal of Community Justice, and Founder and Director of the Manchester International Crime and Justice Film Festival. Kevin’s 30+ year career in criminal justice policy and practice includes, Assistant Director at the charity Nacro, extensive experience of leading multi-site evaluations across the criminal justice system and extensive research projects commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, Home Office, HMPPS, Youth Justice Board, Youth Endowment Fund and other charities. He has recently retired as Reader in Community Justice and Associate Director of the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit at ManMet. Kevin is also a trustee at the Manchester charity Back on Track, and was the former Chair of the Board at Criminal Justice Alliance, and a member of the Expert Advisory Panel to the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid led by Sir Christopher Bellamy.

Rachel Allan

Rachel is Head of Learning & Development for an insurance company and has previously held HR Trustee roles. Early in her career, Rachel worked as a Trainer in the criminal justice sector and has since worked in corporates in HR, learning, talent and inclusion roles. 

Lathan Forrester

Growing up Lathan was an aspiring footballer who’s career didn’t pan out the way he had hoped after playing in both England and Spain Lathan’s life took a turn which resulted in him being sentenced to 14 years in prison. Despite Lathan went on to study with the open university and complete his coaching badges after receiving funding from the hardman trust. since release he has worked in the community and sport. Landing jobs at the Jamie Carragher Academy and currently a community coach and mentor at Manchester City in the Community. Lathan is also a children’s author who uses his experiences to inspire and tell stories via his children’s book (FC Tyro). 

Jim King

Jim is the former Head of Education, Arts & Libraries at the Scottish Prison Service. Having recently retired he has co-founded SPACE ART Scotland to promote and expand the use of creative arts as a core aspect of rehabilitation for those within the justice sector. Jim is also international Secretary of the European Prison Education Association.

Chris Leslie

An experienced director of a company operating in the Criminal Justice System in Wales, Chris’ work focuses on supporting people with criminal convictions to enter education and employment. As a consultant, Chris also advises on best practice within the Criminal Justice setting. Along with his professional expertise, Chris is open about his own lived experience of prison. A former Hardman Trust grant recipient, he now gives his time as a trustee and a volunteer to the organisation, visiting people in prison who are applying for support from us.

Gareth Richards

Gareth brings extensive experience across criminal justice, social services, and violence reduction to the role of Trustee. Currently serving as Regional Manager for Engaging People on Probation in Wales, he has dedicated his career to supporting individuals to rebuild their lives following contact with the criminal justice system.

He combines professional expertise with lived experience of the criminal justice system, providing insight into the challenges faced by those the Hardman Trust supports. As a Master’s graduate in Applied Criminal Justice and criminology, he is committed to evidence-informed practice that centres dignity, empathy and social justice.

His work is driven by a fundamental belief in the potential for positive change and the importance of supporting people to build stronger families and more compassionate communities. His approach emphasises addressing structural inequalities and creating meaningful pathways for individuals to access education, employment, and stable housing.

Based in Wales, he is a family-focused father whose personal values align closely with the Trust’s commitment to supporting people during critical transitions. His dedication to reducing inequality and fostering empathetic communities informs both his professional practice and his contribution as a Trustee, where he works to ensure the Trust’s services remain accessible, person-centred and genuinely transformative for those seeking to move forward with their lives.

Liton Ullah

Liton has over 20 years’ experience delivering social impact programmes in the UK and internationally, supporting people facing barriers, including prison leavers, unemployed adults, NEET young people, and refugees.  He has held senior leadership, consultancy, advisory, and trustee roles across criminal justice, employability, health, and social care sectors, and is committed to supporting The Hardman Trust’s mission to help people achieve their potential within and beyond prison.