Mark Johnson is a leading social entrepreneur, author, and commentator on crime, addiction, mental health, neurodiversity, and homelessness. He was awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable people and elected an Ashoka Fellow, the international network of social entrepreneurs.

For the past 20 years, Mark has championed the power of lived experience, founding charities and social enterprises led by those they serve, including User Voice. His expertise is sought by governments, NGOs, charities, and businesses around the world.

He was the first person with lived experience on the Ministry of Justice’s National Offender Management Programme Board and the Board of the London Probation Trust. He was on the Channel 4 Street Weapons Commission, Chaired by Cherie Booth. 

At the moment, he’s part of the Lloyd’s Bank Foundation Advisory Group for their research into the role and value of by-and-for organisations and HM Prison and Probation Service’s Advisory Group for the recommissioning of the Probation Commissioned Rehabilitation Services. 

He’s regularly in the media, writing in The Guardian for over a decade and hosting the BBC Radio 4 documentary, The Truth about Britain’s Beggars.

Mark’s personal journey adds authenticity to his professional achievements. His bestselling autobiography, Wasted, details his experiences. An innovator at heart, Mark has pursued diverse passions, from running an award-winning arboriculture business employing young offenders and people in recovery, to establishing one of the first mentoring projects for the Prince of Wales (now King!) and for over a decade, he has lived and worked on Aldersroot, a working farm, focused on innovation in small-scale agriculture, enabling people to connect with nature and connect with themselves.

His purpose in life? Simple. To help as many people as he can.