Paul Cowley MBE

Director of Rehabilitation, Iceland Foods
Member, RBIJ Advisory Council

Paul is the Director of Rehabilitation for Iceland Foods, one of the leading food retailers in the UK, and helps those coming out of prison secure employment and restoration. With personal experiences of youth homelessness and incarceration, and a long history of service, Paul’s career reflects a passion for caring for people both inside of prison and upon their release. He is an international speaker, broadcaster, and published author, leveraging his powerful story and faith to advance criminal justice reform.

At the age of 21, he enlisted into the Army and served for over 17 years. In 1992, he left the Army as a Staff Sergeant, having served in the Royal Artillery, The Royal Green Jackets, and the Royal Army Physical Training Corps.

In 1994, Paul become involved in the Alpha program (a course on the Christian faith), and continued to champion its widespread adoption within the UK and international prison system — as well as the Armed forces.

 In 2002, after completing a degree in theology, he was ordained priest into the Church of England and later founded the charity ‘Caring for Ex-Offenders’ (CFEO), which has helped over 2,000 men and women reintegrate back into society.

In recognition of his significant impact, Paul received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lord Longford Trust in 2014 and the MBE from Her Majesty the Queen for ‘Services to Ex-Offenders’ in 2016.

Paul has served on the staff at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) church for over 22 years and has pioneered several new church sites to this day. He has advised two previous High Sheriffs of London as chaplain, and was appointed as the Bishop’s Advisor for Penal and Prisons Affairs in London in 2016.