Peeling back the Label: Finding Talent where others won’t look - with Jacob Hill

Mistakes in your past don’t have to define your future.My guest today, Jacob Hill, founder of Offploy, knows this better than most. After serving time in prison, Jacob didn’t just turn his life around—he built one of the UK’s leading organisations helping people with convictions step back into the workforce.In this episode, we talk about:How Jacob’s journey through prison shaped him into more of an entrepreneur than ever beforeWhy employers should see candidates with convictions as valuable assets, not risksThe higher loyalty and retention rates often found in this overlooked talent poolWhat businesses get wrong about “inclusive hiring” and how to get it rightHow lived experience can fuel innovation, resilience, and leadershipJacob puts it plainly in our conversation: “We need to stop writing people off for the worst thing they’ve ever done and start looking at the value they can bring today.”This episode is for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone interested in building workplaces that look at the whole person—not just the label.About Jacob HillJacob is an entrepreneur, LinkedIn Top Voice on inclusive hiring, and an advocate for social value, particularly in the context of supporting individuals with criminal records. His unique journey, from serving time in prison to founding Offploy one of the UK’s largest providers of mentoring for people with convictions, underscores his deep commitment to social impact. His work focuses on empowering employers to recruit individuals with convictions "safely, confidently and legally," whilst also emphasising the critical importance of measuring social impact to prove effectiveness and drive continuous improvement. You can find Jacob on LinkedIn and Offploy.org.===============================Mind Blend is all about real experiences and meaningful conversations—through sharing these insights, I hope to inspire and empower you as you navigate your unique journey.I’d also love to hear from you! What resonated with you today? What topics or guests should we feature next? Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on LinkedIn @ ⁠karenkchong⁠ and @⁠Mind-Blend⁠Follow Mind Blend to get notified when new episodes are released!Until next time, stay curious, keep exploring, and let’s continue to blend our minds and discover what’s possible.