Greene King has won the Most Impactful Collaboration Project award at the WiHTL Inclusion in Awards 2026 for its Releasing Potential programme, recognising its work with partner organisations to help prison leavers access employment and develop careers in hospitality.
Presented on Tuesday 3 November, the award recognises the collaboration between Greene King, government departments, prisons, charities, education providers and other organisations working to address barriers to employment for people leaving custody.
The WiHTL Inclusion in Awards celebrate organisations, teams and individuals making contributions to workplace inclusion across hospitality, travel, leisure and retail.
Since its launch in 2019, Greene King’s Releasing Potential programme has supported 373 prison leavers into employment with the pub company and brewer.
More than 150 candidates have also participated in training through the company’s four prison Training Academy kitchens across the UK, gaining practical hospitality experience and working towards accredited qualifications.
The programme is delivered through partnerships with the Ministry of Justice, New Futures Network, Scottish Prison Service, Department for Work and Pensions, prison education providers Novus and PeoplePlus, Employment Advisory Boards and local councils.
Charitable partners include Only A Pavement Away and Recruitment Junction, with the initiative also involving more than 75 prisons and Greene King suppliers.
Through these partnerships, participants receive support with employability skills, practical training and the transition from custody into the workplace.
Kat Harper, Director of Sustainability at Greene King, said:
“This award is a reflection of the strength of the partnerships behind Releasing Potential. Our partners bring different expertise and support, and we share a common ambition to help people leaving prison overcome barriers to finding employment and build a positive future.
“Stable employment can play an important role in helping people rebuild their lives and reduce the likelihood of reoffending. By working together, we can give people the support they need to sustain employment and succeed.”
Only A Pavement Away is among the charity partners supporting the initiative, providing additional assistance to help prison leavers overcome practical challenges associated with returning to employment.
This includes support with accommodation, travel arrangements and wellbeing, alongside ongoing guidance intended to help participants maintain employment and establish longer-term careers.
Greg Mangham, CEO and Founder of Only A Pavement Away, said:
“Partnerships like this show what can be achieved when charities, employers, prisons and government work together with a common purpose. Getting a job is a hugely important step for someone leaving prison, but we know that employment alone isn’t always enough. Having the right support around that individual can make a real difference to helping them build confidence, overcome challenges and establish a sustainable future.
“Our partnership with Greene King is about combining genuine employment opportunities with that wider support, and Releasing Potential demonstrates the role hospitality can play in giving people a second chance. We’re delighted to see that collaboration recognised and hope it encourages even more employers across the sector to consider the talent and potential of people leaving prison.”
Releasing Potential forms part of Greene King’s wider social mobility and employment strategy, which focuses on providing opportunities for individuals who may otherwise experience barriers to entering the workforce.
The programme combines hospitality training with employment opportunities and support from external partners, providing a pathway into roles across Greene King’s pub operations.
The award recognises the contribution of these partnerships to the programme’s development and its work in creating employment opportunities within the UK hospitality sector.