Opening Doors, Restoring Lives

What does it mean to follow Christ as a business owner?

For Christian business owners, discipleship doesn’t stop at the church door; it extends into hiring, leadership, and the way we treat those society often leaves behind.

I want to share how God calls us to respond to prison leavers — not as a side issue, but as a matter of justice, compassion, and faithful witness.

This is about seeing employment not merely as a business decision, but as one of the most powerful acts of discipleship: restoring dignity, creating belonging, and opening the door to real, lasting change.This calling is also deeply practical. Many employers want to do the right thing but feel uncertain, ill-equipped, or fearful about recruiting prison leavers.

Through my work, I help employers and voluntary organisations navigate those realities well. Myrtos exists to bridge that gap. I equip organisations with trauma-informed, inclusive hiring practices, so they can confidently and safely recruit prison leavers — embedding compassion, wisdom, and good governance into everyday business decisions.

A Childhood Shaped by Lived Faith

I grew up in a Christian home and, over many years, had the opportunity to witness my parents being Jesus to those around us. When I was four years old, we moved to a small town, and our first neighbours stole my parents’ car. I’m too young to remember what happened next, but I do know that my parents conducted themselves with the grace and mercy of Christ.

Those neighbours moved on, and a new family moved in — a single mum with three boys of varying ages, and an on/off boyfriend. The mum and her boyfriend struggled with addiction, and the middle son struggled to manage his anger. Instead of trying to avoid this family, my parents embraced them.

What I witnessed were numerous cups of tea, hours spent listening, and healthy boundaries being put in place.

This meant that the youngest son would spend hours at our house, and on some nights would be brought over by the police, who had been called out because of violence in the home.

My parents didn’t try to fix or solve this family’s problems. Instead, they showed them the love of Jesus by being present, listening, and holding boundaries.

I wish I could say that this family’s story ended happily — but it didn’t. And that is precisely why I share it. Because even when our efforts don’t produce the outcome we hope for, Christ still calls us to show up, to love, to hope, and to act.

Learning to Love Inside the Criminal Justice System

workshop for inclusive employers — **Workshops on Inclusive Recruitment**

At 23 years old, I stepped into the Criminal Justice System as an Assistant Psychologist at HMP Bristol. A year later, I became a Probation Service Officer, working daily inside prison walls.

I risk-assessed and supported men whose offences ranged from theft to manslaughter. There were moments when the weight of their crimes pressed heavily on me. Yet in those moments, God reminded me that it is not my place to judge, but my place to love — with the compassion of Christ, expressed through professional integrity.

That realisation transformed how I approached my work, and the men I served.

Why Myrtos Consultancy Exists

In 2023, I founded Myrtos Consultancy because I saw a gap that could no longer be ignored.

Too many people still focus on the crime rather than the person behind it. Too many employers fail to see that people can change, and want to change, but need a chance.

Myrtos exists to bridge that gap.

I equip employers and voluntary organisations with trauma-informed, inclusive hiring practices, so they can confidently and safely recruit prison leavers.

I help organisations understand how to embody God’s heart for prisoners and the marginalised, move from charity towards justice by recognising why employment matters, navigate the barriers and fears Christian employers often face, respond to the call to radical inclusion even in difficult cases, and identify practical pathways that bring these principles to life in the workplace.

A Case Study: What Employment Makes Possible

I first met G when I was his probation officer in prison. He’d been in and out of custody since his teens, trapped in a cycle of Class A drug addiction and the crimes that funded it. By the time he was released for the final time, in his late thirties, he was exhausted by the revolving door of prison.

This time, he had something to build on. He secured stable accommodation, completed training both inside and outside prison, and had a trade.

When an employer offered him a job, they made one thing clear: they weren’t concerned about his past, only that he turned up on time and did a good job. He did exactly that.

He worked hard, became self-employed, and built a thriving business. He even passed professional exams first time — exams that most people fail on their first attempt.

Work gave him more than a wage. It gave him purpose, structure, and the focus he needed to stay away from drugs. For the first time, he felt proud of himself. He was earning an honest living, no longer looking over his shoulder, and rebuilding his life on solid ground.

Most importantly, he became the father he wanted to be. His daughters were proud of him, and he finally had the chance to build the relationship he’d always hoped for.

A Call to Christian Leaders and Employers

My hope is to help Christian leaders live out their faith by seeing employment as one of the most powerful acts of discipleship — approaching even the hardest conversations with faith, wisdom, and courage. I can help explore and understand God’s heart for prisoners and the marginalised, move from charity towards justice by recognising why employment truly matters, I help navigate the barriers and fears Christian employers often face, respond to the call to radical inclusion even in difficult cases, and identify practical pathways that bring these principles to life in your business.

This is not theory. It is lived experience, professional expertise, and a calling rooted in Scripture. If you want to explore recruiting prison leavers and want your business to reflect God’s justice, mercy, and wisdom, I am the person to walk alongside you. This is my life’s work, and I will help you do it safely and well. Get in touch

Employment as Justice