JAMES TIMPSON

James Timpson: How generosity leads to wealth

James Timpson is the CEO of Timpson, a business that has been in his family for over 150 years. James helped grow Timpsons to over 2100 shops, and developed several innovative ways to run the business at a time when traditional High Street retailing has suffered.

The key to the growth of the business has been the culture that James has pioneered, based on trust and kindness. Employee benefits such as free holiday homes, a Dreams Come True scheme, weekly Lotteries and mental health support has ensured Timpson has been one of the UK’s best companies to work.

James pioneered the recruitment of ex-offenders, to the extent that Timpson now employs over 600 prison leavers (this is over 10% of the Company).