LEADERSHIP TEAM
Founder, Stef Jones, is a lifelong ad man who ran his own agency for 20 years. Voluntary work in HMP Brixton led him to the realisation that he had a passion for prisons and specifically, helping keep people out of them.
Stef set up Onwards & Upwards in 2021 alongside Operations operator, Rob Love and together created the first of our planned ventures,
XO Bikes in May, 2022
CEO, Ian Priest exited his own successful communications group, VCCP a few years ago and now holds a number of executive positions and non-exec roles. As a former IPA president, Global Chairman of Grace Blue and founder of Chime Ventures, Ian brings a wealth of marketing knowledge, entrepreneurial experience and commercial connections.
CFO, Selorm studied Actuarial Science at the London School of Economics, going on to become a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries, and later obtaining his MBA from Chicago Booth of Business. He began his career in Prudential plc where he built UK-wide financial models. More recently, Selorm has shifted his focus to enterpreneurial ventures and business start-ups, providing consultancy services to manage the technical and financial aspects of these projects. His passion is to see people and businesses flourish and achieve their potential.
Jo has spent the last few decades working in finance and operations. She loves being part of a team, finding solutions to all kinds of problems, making things happen and discovering the gold in people. Working as a chaplaincy volunteer in HMP Holloway and HMP Brixton opened her eyes to the lack of hope and opportunities available to so many of the men and women inside our jails. She is passionate about doing something to change that!
Director of Strategy and Impact,
Will Evans has a history of tackling societies issues with sustainable social businesses. He was a founding Director of Ignition Brewery that employs people with learning disabilities and showcases their talents in making great beer, and is a
non-executive director at Accelerate CIC,
a clinical health not-for-profit that
provides world leading lower limb and lymphoedema care. With his experience in growing social ventures he keeps the ship afloat and pointed in the right direction.
TRUSTEES
Sir John Sunderland is a well respected pillar of British trade and industry who brings vast business experience and connections to the board. His career highlights include Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury’s, Chairman of Merlin Entertainment Group and President of the CBI. His non-exec directorships include Barclays plc, AFC Energy plc and CVC Capital Partners. Sir John is the current Chancellor of Aston University, and a fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts. He’s a proud father of four and dedicated grandfather to many. When not chasing them up and down the garden, he finds time to support the Arts and English Rugby.
Jonathan Sellors MBE was the first trustee we appointed. Not because he’s a lawyer specialising in Intellectual Property, Data Protection and Commercial Contracts, or because he’s a half-decent boxer and rugby fan, or even because he’s had over ten years’ experience dealing with the MoJ, negotiating contracts on behalf of the Clink Charity. No, we asked John to be a trustee because he’s smart, pragmatic and direct. And because he shared our vision and passion for restoring lives.
James Turley is a man of
many hats. Following a long and successful city career which took him to all corners of the globe, Jim returned to London with wife Jo to start a family. When he retired from banking his passion for sport and fitness led him to founding and backing numerous ventures
in the sector, whilst keeping his
hand in the City with various
directorships. Jim brings with him an great energy, big heart and a genuine empathy for the guys inside. When he's not at home with Jo and their four kids, you'll find him at HQ supporting England with Jo and the kids, or at his beloved Rosslyn Park RFC working out with Jo and the four kids. A big family man, we were delighted that Jim agreed to join ours.
Christopher Moore is the latest trustee to join the board.
Though to be fully transparent,
his was more a relenting than joining as we'd hounded the poor man since the day he hung up his Toque de Clink in 2021, having served an 11 year stretch as the Clink's CEO. Besides a wealth
of lived experience in the justice
charity sector and a drive to
change futures inside the walls and prospects outside them, Chris brings a love of food, wine, travel and a fantastic sense of humour.
At the heart of Onwards & Upwards you’ll find the Gang 4 Good.
They are our steering committee and every new initiative, protocol
or venture we create has their fingerprints all over it.
These guys know the score. With lived experience, they bring
great insight and instinct for what will work for our trainees and staff,
and what most likely won’t.
Everything we develop, we develop together. That way, we can
create a new way. A way that works. Works better for us all.
