Flag bearing former convicts on horseback celebrated those companies who gave them a chance in a special awards ceremony hosted by the Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman William Russell.

The Younited Flag award was launched in 2019 by music legend Nile Rodgers together with crime prevention charity, Key4Life, which transforms the lives of some of the most disaffected young men in Britain.

At the event, some 15 Key4Life Younited flags were awarded to businesses across the country, including Somerset’s Yeo Valley and Purple Hire Solutions.

Yeo Valley employed Liam Meredith, now 27, as a conservationist for three years until May 2021, when he left to set up his own ice cream and burger van business in collaboration with Key4Life and Yeo Valley.

Liam said: “I’m hugely grateful to both Key4Life and Yeo Valley for helping me rebuild my life. Without more companies giving men with convictions opportunities, we can’t break the cycle of crime. We’ve made our mistakes, we can’t deny that, but now we want change. So my message to other companies is that if you aren’t going to be part of the solution by giving ex-offenders another chance, you’re part of the problem.”

Eva Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Key4Life says: “Research shows that 50% of corporate Britain would not hire ex-offenders, and yet having a job is the crucial success factor for men with convictions. With reoffending costing the UK government £18.1 Billion a year, the Younited Flag award highlights how employing ex-offenders can drive change by dispelling stereotypes and removing unfair prejudice.”

The special awards ceremony at Mansion House also celebrated the 9^th birthday of Key4Life, which has an unrivalled track record for transforming the lives of some of the most disaffected young men in Britain.

Alderman William Russell said: “It’s remarkable to see graduates from rehabilitation programmes attaining impressive corporate roles because some one cared enough, for long enough, to change their lives.”