Who We Are
Founded on the belief that everyone deserves a second chance, Liberatus bridges the gap between criminal conviction and meaningful employment. We exist to break the cycle of reoffending by creating structured pathways into work – reducing risk for employers, building futures for candidates, and delivering measurable value for society.
Why Change Is Needed
Every year, around 70,000 people leave prison in England and Wales. Yet fewer than 1 in 5 are in work six months later. That is not because they lack talent or motivation. It is because the system is not set up to connect them with the right opportunities.
The consequences are serious. Reoffending costs the UK £18 billion every year and places further strain on already overcrowded prisons. Yet the solution is clear. Employment is one of the strongest protections against reoffending. By opening the door to work, we can reduce crime, lower costs, and create safer communities.
Liberatus exists to make this change possible. We provide employers with a safe and straightforward way to access a motivated but overlooked talent pool. At the same time, we carry out risk assessments before placement and coordinate with those who know candidates and the criminal justice system best, so that every placement is appropriate and set up to succeed.
Our Founding Story
Liberatus was founded by Tracie and Sushovan Hussain. Sushovan was the former Chief Financial Officer of Autonomy plc and founding partner of Invoke Capital. During a period of federal custody in the United States, he saw first-hand how purposeful work drives successful reintegration. After his release, Tracie and Sushovan committed to building labour-market infrastructure in which a conviction is treated not as an indelible stigma but as a starting point for rehabilitation.
Our Operational Philosophy
Bridge, Not Barrier
We sit between employer and candidates, absorbing the administrative and compliance burden that often deters second-chance hiring.
Temporary to Permanent
After twelve weeks in post, Agency Regulations grant parity of pay and conditions, making permanent hiring straightforward and affordable. A temporary placement also acts as an extended interview, giving employers the chance to see how someone performs on the job before making a long-term commitment. This reduces uncertainty and allows candidates to prove their value in a real work environment.
Data-Driven Matching
Our AI-assisted system aligns skills, qualifications, location, and risk assessments to ensure the right candidate for the right role.
With 12.3 million people in England and Wales holding a criminal record, the talent pool is large, varied, and untapped. Liberatus unlocks this potential.
Our Team
Dedicated professionals working together to create meaningful change.
Tracie
Founder
Sushovan
Founder and advisor
Elaine
Business Development Manager
Nick
Poppy
Monty
Ella
Katie
With special and heartfelt thanks to James and Sophie who helped us so much on our journey
Pilot Scheme – Testing the Model
Before scaling nationally, Liberatus is launching a controlled pilot headquartered in Cambridge. The pilot will validate both the commercial viability and the criminological efficacy of agency-led, temporary employment for people with convictions.