Voices Shaping Justice
Representing a broad spectrum of public, legal, and civic life, our participants bring insight, integrity, and a shared commitment to strengthening the institutions that underpin a just society.
Hosts
Alderman and Sheriff-Elect Robert Hughes Penney
Alderman and Sheriff-Elect of the City of London for 2025–2026
Alderman Robert Hughes Penney is an Investment Director with extensive experience in finance and governance. Committed to transparency, ethical leadership, and access to justice, he advocates for policies that uphold integrity and fairness. Robert is the Alderman and Sheriff-Elect of the City of London for 2025–2026. At the Justice for All Summit, he will discuss the role of responsible business in driving positive change in society.
Sheriff Elect Deputy Keith Bottomley
Civic Affairs Chairman, City of London Corporation
Sheriff Elect Deputy Keith Bottomley is an experienced public servant and community advocate, currently serving as a Deputy of the City of London Corporation. With a background in finance and governance, he brings a wealth of expertise to his role, overseeing key aspects of policy-making and strategic initiatives for the City. Keith is deeply committed to enhancing public services and fostering economic growth while championing sustainability and inclusivity. His leadership is marked by a dedication to transparency and accountability, ensuring that decisions benefit all residents and businesses within the City of London.
His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft KC
Recorder of London
His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft KC is a distinguished member of the judiciary, currently serving as the Recorder of London—the most senior judge at the Old Bailey and a key figure in the City of London’s legal and civic life. Formerly the Chief Coroner of England and Wales, Judge Lucraft has presided over some of the most complex and high-profile criminal cases in recent years. With a background as King’s Counsel and extensive expertise in criminal law, he is known for his clarity, fairness, and authority in the courtroom. As Recorder, he plays a vital role in upholding justice, ensuring due process for the accused, and providing leadership within one of the UK’s most important criminal courts.
Opening Event
Keynote Speaker
Lord Neuberger
Past President of the Supreme Court and Past Master of the Rolls
Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury is a highly esteemed British judge who served as President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom from 2012 to 2017, following his tenure as Master of the Rolls from 2009 to 2012. With a distinguished legal career spanning decades, he is renowned for his intellectual rigour, clarity of judgment, and commitment to the rule of law. Before joining the judiciary, he practiced as a barrister and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1987. Lord Neuberger has made significant contributions to the development of UK jurisprudence, particularly in areas of equity, human rights, and public law, and continues to be an influential voice in legal and constitutional matters.
Dr Karen Brewer
Secretary General, Commonwealth Magistrates & Judges Association
Dr Karen Brewer is the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA), where she has served with distinction for over two decades. A leading voice in the promotion of judicial independence, the rule of law, and human rights across the Commonwealth, Dr Brewer brings a wealth of international legal expertise and advocacy experience. She has been instrumental in supporting judicial education, strengthening court systems, and advancing gender equality within the judiciary. Her work ensures that magistrates and judges across diverse jurisdictions are equipped to uphold justice with integrity and impartiality.
Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC
former Lord Chancellor
In 2015, Alex Chalk KC MP was elected as the Member of Parliament for Cheltenham. Over the course of his parliamentary career, he served in several senior legal roles, including HM Solicitor General and, most notably, as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, where he oversaw key reforms within the justice system. A barrister by background, Alex returned to legal practice and is now a Partner at Jones Day, where he works across the firm’s Global Disputes, Government Regulation, and Investigations & White Collar Defence practices, advising clients on complex legal and regulatory matters.
Maha Jweied
CEO, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice
Maha is a lawyer by trade and has spent decades working in the justice space. She will not only bring an international (US) perspective on policy reform and programmes that have been successful for prison leavers and those with criminal records across a number of US states, she has a wealth of experience in the SDG space in her role as Advisor to the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies.
Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen
Bishop of Winchester
The Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Winchester, is a senior Church of England leader and a Lord Spiritual in the House of Lords, with a longstanding commitment to justice, human dignity, and advocacy for the marginalised. He actively engages with issues around church-based abuse, having chaired the Board tasked with providing redress, in various forms, for survivors. His leadership is marked by a strong emphasis on international religious freedom, and the role of the Church, government and NGOs in supporting vulnerable communities. Bishop Philip brings a deep theological and pastoral perspective to public life, championing systems that uphold fairness, rehabilitation, and hope for all.
Future speakers and panel members that have been invited include Government Ministers and those with lived experience
Future Speakers and Panel Members
Egerton Junior Bayode
Vice President Citibank | Board Trustee at the Resurgo Trust & Oasis Restore
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Egerton Junior Bayode divides his time between financial services — where he is a Vice President at a global tier-one bank — and social change, serving on the boards of organisations dedicated to creating opportunities for young people and those on the margins of society. Drawing on his lived experience of the criminal justice system, EJB champions what is possible for individuals who have traditionally faced barriers to opportunity. By embodying the change that can emerge from an adverse start, he works to open doors, shift perceptions, and advocate for those who, like he once did, deserve a chance to thrive.
Andrea Coomber KC (Hon)
Chief Executive, Howard League for Penal Reform
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Andrea was appointed Queen’s Counsel (Honoris Causa) in 2022 for making a major contribution to the development of the law in England and Wales.
She joined the Howard League in 2021, having previously worked at JUSTICE, INTERIGHTS, at the International Service for Human Rights in Geneva and at the South Asia Documentation Centre in New Delhi. She is qualified as a barrister and solicitor in Australia.
Paul Cowley MBE
Director of Rehabilitation, Iceland Foods
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Paul was born in Manchester. Both parents were alcoholics, his home life was filled with verbal and physical abuse. At the age of 15 he left home to live on the streets and became involved in crime which led to a prison sentence in Risley prison. At the age of 21 he enlisted into the Army and over the following 17 years he did several tours in Northern Ireland and served in the Falklands campaign. In 1992 he left the Army as a Staff Sergeant. He then ran The Bath and Racquets Club in Mayfair as the General Manager before running Champney’s Health Club in Piccadilly.
In 2014 Paul received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lord Longford trust for his work in prisons and in 2016 Paul was awarded the MBE for ‘Services to Ex-Offenders’ and the community.
He has been a part time chaplain at HMP Wormwood Scrub’s and HMP YOI Feltham and in 2016 he was appointment Bishops’ Advisor for Prisons and Penal affairs in London.
And is now the Director of Rehabilitation for Iceland foods, one of the leading food retailers in the UK, he started the Second Chance Initiative, his role is help get those coming out of prison employment and restoration.
Matt Crossman
Stewardship Director Rathbones Group
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Matt is responsible for Rathbones’ stewardship activities – managing a team delivering proxy voting and engagement on ESG issues. He’s spent his 20-year career exclusively in responsible investment, with specialisms in Climate Change and Human Rights in Supply chains. He founded the award winning ‘Votes Against Slavery’ project in 2018.
He is a graduate of the University of Bristol where he studied law, with a particular interest in the administration of environmental law. A holder of the CFA Certificate in ESG investing, he also has post-graduate qualifications in Sustainable Development theory and practice. He is a trustee of the Quartet Community Foundation, having previously been on the board of LoveBristol, and urban regeneration charity, and the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility.
Rt Hon David Gauke
Chair Independent Sentencing Review
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David was appointed chair of the Independent Sentencing Review in October 2024 and which reported in May 2025. He is Head of Public Policy at the law firm Macfarlanes and chair of the negotiation consultancy Negotient LLP. He is also a columnist with The New Statesman and ConservativeHome. . He was previously a Conservative MP and Government minister, serving in the Cabinet from 2016 to 2019 as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, and Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor. David is also a trustee of the Prison Reform Trust.
Lord Dr Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE
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Lord Dr Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE is an Independent Peer in the House of Lords. He is the Chairman of SOAS University, London and the Professor of Leadership at the Stephen R Covey Institute at the Huntsman Business School, USA; Lord Hastings was the Global Head of Citizenship for KPMG International till 2019 and before that, the BBC’s Head of Public Affairs & then Head of Corporate Responsibility.
He was conferred with a CBE for his services to crime reduction in 2003 as the Founder and Chair of Crime Concern and subsequently the founder of Catch22 and its VP; an Independent Peerage from HM The Queen in 2005; a Doctorate in Civil Law from the University of Kent, Canterbury in 2014 in recognition for his leadership at KPMG, the BBC and for his work in international development and corporate responsibility and in 2019 he was the first ever recipient of the Stephen R Covey Leadership Award for a life built on principles and values. Lord Hastings is the cofounder of a unique prisons and prisoner intervention network called MyBrothersKeeper, a cause most dear to his heart.
Jane Lasonder
Vice Chair, International Survivors Trafficking Advisory Council, OSCE
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Jane Lasonder is an international speaker and author in the fight against human trafficking. As a survivor of child trafficking, she brings invaluable lived experience to her work. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC) for the OSCE/ODIHR and is the Chair of Hope for Justice’s International Survivor Council. She is also a member of the MSPEC/Oxford University Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) and the Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking (ITHT). Her expertise is sought by a range of international bodies, including the European Parliament, the UN, OSCE/ODIHR, and the WHO. Jane is also a member of Champions Speaking agency.
Jane shares her knowledge with diverse audiences, from school children and medical students to first responders, healthcare workers, law enforcement, and border force guards. She is also actively involved in developing and providing training for these groups, a cause she has championed with the British Embassy in Bucharest and partners in Romania and in her work with the OSCE writing a guide for Health care workers on MSHT for the country Georgia. Jane is working with ISTAC to set up NRMs and Survivor councils in many different countries.
Jane is the author of three books, including the internationally published Health and Slavery, a guide for healthcare workers on modern slavery awareness. Her contributions have been widely recognized; in October 2024, she was honoured with the Anti-Slavery Award for Outstanding Contribution to the fight against modern slavery in the Empowering survivor voices category by The Human Trafficking Foundation. In addition to her advocacy and writing, Jane is also an award-winning photographer
Commissioner Pete O’Doherty
City of London Police Commissioner
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Pete started his career with the CoLP where he spent a number of years at different ranks going on to specialise in cyber and economic crime. He was then seconded into the MPS for a time, and in 2017, returned to the CoLP as Detective Chief Superintendent, Head of Crime and Counter Terrorism, followed by the lead for the CoLP’s Economic Crime Directorate.
Pete went on to become the Assistant Chief Constable at Thames Valley Police and then, in January 2022, returned once more to CoLP as Assistant Commissioner. In October 2023, Pete took on the role of Temporary Commissioner for the City of London Police and is now the National Police Lead for Cyber and Economic Crime.
In September 2024, Pete was selected as the 17 th Commissioner for the City of London Police.
Hans Pung
President, RAND Europe
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Hans Pung is President of RAND Europe, a not-for-profit research institute that provides evidence-based policy analysis to support better decision-making. With a background in defence, public policy, and infrastructure, Hans brings insight into how rigorous research can shape more effective and equitable justice systems. He also chairs the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, supporting veterans’ reintegration—aligning closely with the themes of the Justice for All Series.
Professor Richard Susskind CBE KC (Hon)
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Professor Richard Susskind CBE KC (Hon) is the world’s most cited author on the future of legal services. He is Special Envoy for Justice and AI to the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, and has been President of the Society for Computers and Law since 2011. From 1998 to 2023, he was Technology Adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. His work has been translated into 16 languages. He has written eleven books, including The Future of Law (1996), Tomorrow’s Lawyers (2013, 2017, 2023), The Future of the Professions (2015, 2022, with Daniel Susskind), and How to Think about AI: A Guide for the Perplexed (2025). In the mid-1980s, Richard wrote his doctorate on AI and law at Balliol College, Oxford.
Dame Sara Thornton DBE QPM
Former UK independent anti-slavery commissioner
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Dame Sara Thornton DBE QPM is a Professor of Modern Slavery Policy at the Rights Lab in the University of Nottingham where her focus is on research in the area of prevention, business responses and supply chains. She is particularly focused on the important role of investors and works as a modern slavery consultant for CCLA Investment Management.
Dame Sara completed a three-year term as the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner in April 2022, a role in which she spearheaded the UK’s fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. She joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1986. During her 33-year career within policing she served as Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police from 2007 until 2015. She was the first Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council from 2015 to 2019.
Katie Wheatley
Head of Crime, Fraud & Regulatory, Bindmans Solicitors
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Katie is a partner at Bindmans and Head of the firm’s Crime, Fraud and Regulatory team. She has over 25 years of experience in representing defendants in criminal investigations and proceedings, including serious and complex financial and general crime cases, jury trials and appeals. She acts for clients from all walks of life, from the most vulnerable to people working in professional sectors and high profile, high-net worth individuals.
During her many years of practice, she had had exposure to a vast range of criminal cases and clients. She worked for many years in South London where she appeared as an advocate in the magistrates’ court, dealing with bail applications, sentencing hearings and summary trials as well as preparing serious cases for trial in the Crown Court. She moved to Bindmans in 2003 where she drew on that experience to deal with very serious and complex investigations and trials in the Crown Court and representing people who are accused of offences relating to their work or have to deal with career threatening allegations in their personal lives.
She has developed specialisms in white collar and financial crime and representing journalists when their work brings them into contact with the criminal law. She has represented clients from very diverse backgrounds, including people with addictions, brain injury or poor mental health and people working in entertainment, professional and business sectors, corporate clients and charities.