Phil Martin is a family orientated businessman, a turning point speaker and the founder of Ex-seed™ - the recruitment network dedicated to placing ex-offenders into employment. 
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Phil spent twenty-five years as a business owner and employer. Unfortunately, at the height of the credit crunch, his property companies started to struggle and he was unable to fulfil his contracts and commitments. It was apparent that he had over-reached but he became stubborn and proud and also desperate to provide for his family. Phil made a series of reckless business mistakes and unlawful decisions which led to him going personally bankrupt and spending four years in prison. Fraught with guilt and remorse, as well as struggling with isolation from his wife and daughters, he had an epiphany; why not spend this time helping the people in prison to progress and to turn their lives around for the better?

Phil’s experiences gained before, during and after his imprisonment, helping hundreds of serving prisoners and ex-offenders to gain real employment and begin a new chapter in their lives are proving invaluable to HMPPS and to society as a whole.

Contact Phil Martin ​

“It was great to meet you Phil, what you are doing is truly inspiring!”
HMP Governor

"Phil Martin is very inspiring and caring about people and wants to help make positive changes in people’s lives."
BK,  a serving Prisoner

“Phil Martin has a unique way of explaining things and when he talks, people listen, you can hear a pin drop.” 
HMP Custodial Manager

​“The talk you delivered on faith provision and pastoral care in prisons was the highlight of this regional event.”
Prison Chaplaincy Development Manager
 
“When Phil delivered his talk called ‘Your New Chapter’ he was like a breath of fresh air to the residents and staff in attendance.”
HMP Regional Education Manager
  
“Your workshop called ‘Your Problem Solving Action Plan’ was excellently written Phil, you kept all the men engaged and involved and filled them with confidence and positivity. Well done a good day was had by everyone!”
Prison College Tutor
 
“Phil Martin delivered two talks about Rehab Culture, change and self-worth at our annual award ceremony at HMP Stafford. He was truly inspiring to the residents, the staff and honoured guests. Well done Phil - you smashed it!”
HMP Governor
 
“Thank you very much for participating in the interview for Prison Service Journal. It was a great experience to hear you talking with such insight and sensitivity. I believe that it will be well received when published and will help to promote rehabilitative cultures.”
HMP Governor

​“I was in prison, stuck with no release date. Phil was a company director at the time, he spoke at my parole hearing and helped me to get out of prison straight into a full-time job; I have been out for 14 years since then and have not reoffended.”
MJ, a former prisoner
 
“Mr Martin gave an outstanding motivational speech to a packed auditorium at HMP Stocken. He was asked at the last minute and multiple groups joined the session along with numerous members of staff. He did not bat an eye-lid and inspired us all.”
HMP College Manager
 
“You have played an important role in supporting the work of HMP Springhill towards Enabling Environment Accreditation, building the culture required to sustain this and demonstrating our shared commitment. The assessment day was a really inspiring session to be involved in. I offer you my personal thanks for your contribution.”
HMP Governor
 
“I really love the guide to creating a rehabilitative culture you’ve created. This is brilliantly and imaginatively presented, using the alphabet, with entries from A to Z and in your usual accessible style. I have distributed this to the National Rehabilitative Culture Team to be used as a resource for staff induction. I am so grateful to you for your work on this document and really appreciate your generosity with your talents.”
HMP Governor
 
“Philip Martin spoke at HMP Brixton about rehabilitation. The event was attended by representatives from 5 London jails including Governors and Operational Staff. His presentation was excellent and his content inspirational; he spoke about his experiences of rehabilitative culture and how staff can have had a big impact on the people in their care. He also produced quality hand-outs for all of the attendees to take away. Overall the day was a big success.”
​HMP Custodial Manager

"Hi Phil, We have been in contact before; we spoke some years ago when I had a large property problem to sort out. You helped me to resolve this and I will always be grateful. We have our own business and a big part of our business is giving people a chance. We have several guys with physical and mental challenges and also ex addicts etc. We took on a guy who had spent 13 years out of 32 in YOI or Prison and he worked his way up to become our factory manager until he tragically took his own life in August. We have a current employee who is ex HMP Wrexham and he is brilliant. Our motto is 'It is not what you did yesterday it is what you do today that counts'. The reason for my email is that if you get general applications from our area of the country, we would be happy to interview and consider them. This is a very small thing but it may in some way pay back what you did for me. Best regards."
SC - Regional Employer   

Contact Phil Martin ​