At Impellam, we believe that responsible business starts with how people are treated. By us and across our talent ecosystem.
Founding member of FCBA
That is why we are proud to be a Founding Member of the Fair Chance Business Alliance (FCBA). We support the FCBA’s mission to unlock opportunity for people with criminal records, to help employers access a wider - often overlooked talent pool - through fair, compliant and responsible hiring practices.
For us, fair chance hiring is not a peripheral initiative. It is an extension of how we at Impellam, think about responsible sourcing, ethical supply chains and long-term workforce sustainability. As the UK's largest staffing firm and an employer ourselves, we see firsthand how resilient talent programmes depend on inclusion, transparency and trust—particularly in sectors facing persistent skills shortages.
Supporting the Unite 1K initiative
As part of this commitment, Impellam is supporting Unite 1K: Changing Business for Good. Unite 1K is the flagship FCBA initiative launching on 28 April 2026. It aims to mobilise at least 1,000 employers to embed fair chance principles into their recruitment and workforce strategies.
By 2028, the talent pool of UK individuals with criminal records will reach 10 million, representing 1-in-4 working age adults. Accessing this talent pool isn't just a social good; it is a necessity for economic growth, generational social mobility, business sustainability and reducing reoffending.
The Unite 1K reflects a shared belief that widening access to work, when done responsibly and lawfully, is both a social imperative and a commercial necessity.
Through our involvement, we are committed to:
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Embedding fair chance principles into talent programmes where appropriate and compliant
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Supporting clients to balance opportunity with robust governance, compliance and risk management
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Strengthening supply chains by working with partners who share our values on ethics, worker protection and social impact
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Creating sustainable employment pathways that deliver value for individuals, businesses and communities
Commitment to ethical trade and responsible supply chains
This approach aligns with our broader commitment to ethical trade and responsible supply chains, including our Supplier Code of Conduct and our ongoing focus on protecting workers’ rights and dignity throughout the employment lifecycle.
Fair chance hiring makes business sense
We also believe that fair chance hiring is good business. When employers broaden access to talent responsibly, they improve workforce resilience, productivity and retention, while contributing to social mobility and reduced reoffending. In a labour market under pressure, this is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.
We are proud to play an active role in shaping practical, employer led solutions that demonstrate how responsible sourcing and inclusive supply chains can create lasting value across the world of work.
“Unite 1K captures exactly what fair chance hiring should be about practical action, responsible sourcing and measurable impact. As a founding member of the Fair Chance Business Alliance, we’re proud to support an initiative that strengthens supply chains while opening up opportunity.” – Simon Blockley, CEO @ Impellam UK&I
