RestorativU’s roots: a Founder’s perspective

At RestorativU, we believe in the power of story – not just because restorative practice is built on dialogue, listening, and understanding, but because every meaningful movement starts with people. So for our very first blog entry, we want to share the story of one of our co-founders: Chris Twyman, whose journey from the quiet countryside of Somerset to the fast-paced world of New York’s tech scene – and finally to the heart of the restorative justice movement – reflects everything we stand for.

Chris was born in Somerset, UK, a county best known for its rolling green hills and apple orchards. Today, he lives just outside Oxford, a place with its own long history of learning and exchange. But Chris’s path has never been confined to geography – his career has spanned continents, industries, and, increasingly, social purpose.

“I’m a technology marketeer at heart,” Chris says, with a characteristic mix of energy and curiosity. After completing anMBA in the USA, Chris launched into the tech world with stints at two of the largest software platform companies, based in New York and California. The experience gave him a front-row seat to the scale, pace, and potential of digital innovation – and a clear understanding of what happens when technology meets people’s lives.

But rather than climbing the corporate ladder, Chris took a different route – into the more uncertain (and often more rewarding) world of tech start-ups. It’s only in looking back that a clear thread emerges. “In hindsight,” he reflects, “everything I’ve built has been focused on empowering underrepresented communities.”

From HR Tech, where Chris developed tools to help employees take ownership of their careers, to EdTech, where he helped young writers find their voices and let their imaginations run wild, there has always been a human-centred mission at the heart of his work. That mission has now found its home in JusticeTech – and more specifically, in RestorativU.

So how does a tech entrepreneur make the leap into restorative practice?

The answer lies in understanding how Chris thinks about technology – not as an end in itself, but as a tool for empowerment. “On that journey,” he explains, “I’ve always focused on the needs of both the users and the data they generate – using both to help shape better practice and functionality.” That’s especially true today, in a world where AI is rapidly transforming how we live and work. “It’s crucial that any tech-based business embraces AI,” Chris adds, “but manages its deployment very carefully.”

At RestorativU, that balance is key. The goal isn’t to replace restorative practitioners, facilitators, or mediators with algorithms – it’s to support them. “We’re integrating this technology to make life more efficient for those using restorative practice,” Chris says. “But we will never replace them.”

Chris brings not just vision but real experience to this venture. Over the years, he has raised more than £18 million in funding for his start-ups and successfully sold one to a major publishing firm. He knows what it takes to build something from the ground up, and he understands that great ideas don’t exist in a vacuum. “There are so many apps and technologies in the market today,” he points out, “and the sheer noise can be overwhelming to customers.” For him, a solid investment strategy is essential – not just for survival, but for impact. “No matter the sector, good investment partners are crucial. You need people who join you on the journey.”

And the journey ahead is an exciting one.

Looking to the future, Chris sees RestorativU as a platform not just for growth, but for transformation. “Every organisation is a community,” he says. “And communities grow stronger with restorative values and restorative outcomes.” Whether in schools, businesses, healthcare, criminal justice, or the wider social sector, the principles of dialogue, accountability, and repair can reshape how we work and live together.

“Our mission is to bring the fringe to the mainstream,” Chris explains. “When we do that, everyone wins.”

That’s the vision behind RestorativU – and it’s one we’ll be exploring more deeply in future blog posts, as we share stories from across our community, insights from our team, and updates on how we’re building a platform that reflects the values of restoration, inclusion, and innovation.

For now, though, we’re grateful to start with Chris’s story. Because at its heart, RestorativU is about people – people who believe in doing things differently, in listening before responding, and in using technology not to dominate but to support human connection.