Simon Pellew, OBE, is a social entrepreneur who has spent his career addressing some of the most intractable social problems in the UK, unemployment and repeat offending in the criminal justice system. Influenced in his twenties by the radical communitarian theology of the Anabaptists, Simon studied in America with the expert on the Amish community, Professor Donald Kraybill, being much influenced by his famous book The Upside-Down Kingdom.

Returning to England, he set up the pioneering education and training charity PECAN in Peckham, South London, famous for its impact in lowering unemployment in some of the toughest council estates in London and for its equal pay policy for all employees.

For the last twenty years, Simon has worked with charities aiming to reduce reoffending in the prison population, pioneering approaches to improve family relationships and reduce unemployment amongst ex-offenders.

Interview Timestamps 0:00 Parents & School Bullies: WWII, launderettes, acting, journalism and conversion 20:28 The Navy and University: Ark Royal, masters degree, and Shepherds Bush 28:47 America: Mennonite Seminary, Anabaptists, Vineyard Churches, and the Upside Down Kingdom 39:53 Return to England, Peckham: Icthus Fellowship and a vision for the poor 47:10 Marriage to Shunu: Calcutta and the British army 52:20 PECAN (Peckham Evangelical Churches Action Network): Knocking on 10,00 doors and learning from mistakes 1:08:30 Equal Pay Policy: The impact of all staff being paid the same 1:15:28 Southwark Council: From hospitality to collaboration 1:19:36 The practice of management: Investors in People award and an OBE 1:25:55 Moving: CEO of Stepping Stones, Time for Families - seeing spiritual damage of unemployment 1:44:17 Looking Back and Forwards: The strings of government funding, leaving at the right time, Only Connect and prisons -- For all things ExtraECC, go to: ExtraECC.com Audio versions of these interviews are at: @extraecc Follow us on FB www.facebook.com/ExtraECC, and Twitter @ecc_extra