Judith Allen
Director of Training and Skills UK
Judith has over 29 years’ experience working within the education sector in a variety of private training providers, local authorities, and colleges. She has held a range of leadership roles, including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Director of Apprenticeships, and Director of Academies, and still gets the same thrill from seeing learners reach their full potential as when she first started her career.
Judith is proud to have been Nominee for several successful Ofsted inspections, led organisational change to deliver high quality outcomes while improving profitability, secured high-value, high profile contracts with prestigious employers, and developed structures, processes, and culture to allow staff to thrive in each organisation.
She encourages her teams to maintain a strong learner focus and is personally motivated to help people make a change in their lives through reskilling or upskilling by putting in place measures to ensure success.
Neil Bates
Non-Executive Director
Neil has over 35 years’ experience working within technical and professional education and skills. He spent 30 years as Chief Executive and Principal of PROCAT, the UK’s first new College of Advanced Technology, and is a former Chairman of the AELP (Association of Employment and Learning Providers).
Neil is a member of the City & Guilds Council, and in 2014 he was awarded Fellowship of The City & Guilds of London Institute in recognition of outstanding professional and personal achievements, which include founding the first Technical Trust school in the UK and raising £56 million of investment in three centres for advanced technical education. In 2019 he succeeded Lord Baker, the former Education Secretary, as Chairman of the Edge Foundation, one of the UK’s leading education charities dedicated to improving education for young people.
Neil is passionate about realising the economic and social potential of people and businesses through enhanced skills, training and qualifications. He is committed to working with industry to develop a talent and skills agenda that enables businesses to prosper while empowering individuals to build brighter futures.