A former QPR chairman who co-founded a series of prison restaurants staffed by inmates has been made an OBE in the Queen's Birthday honours.
Kevin McGrath, of Ealing, was one of the founder trustees of The Clink Charity, which has dramatically cut re-offending rates at the prisons where it operates, including Brixton and Sutton.
The 53-year-old father-of-two, who grew up in White City and works as a chartered surveyor, has also played a key role supporting a range of other good causes.
He was chairman of the Lyric Hammersmith for a decade, during which time he oversaw the theatre's successful expansion.
He is vice-chairman of the QPR in the Community Trust, which supports people across west London through sport.
He is also involved in the National Education Trust, is a trustee of the Old Vic theatre and set up the McGrath Charitable Trust with his wife Kate to support society's most underprivileged people.
As if the list wasn't already long enough, his other roles include chairing QPR Ladies, volunteering as a governor of Phoenix High School and acting as Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Hammersmith & Fulham.
Despite his broad CV of charitable achievements, Mr McGrath is incredibly modest about his achievements and says he was "shocked but honoured" to be made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire).
"You get your reward by seeing young people do well or ex-prisoners not re-offending. This kind of thing is a great honour but that's the real reward," he said.
'Stumbled' into founding prison charity
Mr McGrath said he "stumbled" into co-founding The Clink Charity seven years ago after an eye-opening prison visit.
He was shocked at the conditions and even more shocked to learn how many ex-prisoners ended up re-offending and landing themselves back inside.
He said ex-offenders were proven to be much more likely to go clean if they had a home, a family or a job.
That's why he helped set up The Clink Charity, which runs restaurants which are open to the public and staffed by prisoners to ensure inmates have the skills and experience to thrive once they are freed.
"Nationally, nearly 50% of ex-offenders end up back inside prison within 12 months of their release," he said.
"With the Clink cohort, that's less than 10%, and I'm delighted by the difference it's making."
Away from his charity work, he is also closely involved in politics, having stood as a Labour candidate for parliament, Ealing Council, the London Assembly and the European Parliament.
