Our story
The Common Ground Justice Project was launched by Alice Dawnay and Sam Boyd in 2025.
Alice and Sam first worked together at Switchback, the pioneering prison resettlement charity which Alice co-founded in 2008 and led as CEO for 15 years.
Through its radical, relational approach, Switchback has supported thousands of young Londoners to find a way out of the justice system and build a stable life they can be proud of. After joining in 2017, Sam helped evolve Switchback into a leading voice in the debate, shaping government policy and shifting public perceptions about prison-leavers.
Switchback’s model struck a rare balance between individual and systemic accountability, recognising that society has a responsibility to offer viable routes out of crime, but also that people have agency and responsibility for their actions.
Together, Alice and Sam, with the support of their expert advisory board and incubation from the Centre for Justice Innovation, have launched the Common Ground Justice Project to apply this ethos to the justice system more widely. Their aim is to break through a polarised debate dominated by noisy extremes, illuminating a more thoughtful way forward that can bridge divides and deliver for victims and wider society.
Delivery team
Alice Dawnay
In 2008 Alice co-founded award-winning charity Switchback, which she led as CEO for 15 years, supporting over 2,000 prison-leavers to make real, lasting change. She is currently an Associate Prisons Inspector and consultant with a special interest in equalities and fair treatment.
Sam Boyd
Sam has worked for over a decade in social impact, policy and campaigns across business, charity and politics. After running his own youth social enterprise, in 2017 Sam became Director of Impact and Influence at Switchback, helping lead the charity’s successful shift into influencing.
Pilot partners
We’re grateful to our pilot partners for collaborating with us on this project, and supporting with strategic, operational, research and other advice and support. The Centre for Justice Innovation is acting as incubator for our pilot.
If you’re an organisation or individual that wants to be part of a common ground approach to justice reform, we’d love to hear from you.
Pilot advisory board
Our board of expert advisors are helping to guide this project, bringing a wide range of experience, including first-hand, of the justice system and beyond.
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Fr Richard Springer
Rector, St George-in-the-East; Director, Urban Leadership School, Centre for Theology & Community
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Pamela Dow
COO, Civic Future; former Executive Director, Cabinet Office
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Phil Bowen
Director, Centre for Justice Innovation
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Dunia Shafik
Founder, A Life Of Choices.
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Dr Hindpal Singh Bhui OBE
Inspection Team Leader, HM Inspectorate of Prisons; Visiting Law Professor, Centre for Criminology, University of Oxford
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Jill Rutter
Associate Fellow, British Future; Lead, National Conversation on Immigration
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Kameran Johnsepar
Lived Experience Coach & Mentor