
John Baumback
Group Managing Director
John joined Seetec in 1984 as a YTS trainee studying COBOL Programming, the leading business language of the day.
Following his traineeship, for the next six years he taught programming and a number of IT disciplines to hundreds of local trainees. Seeing firsthand the impact that learning and development has on individuals’ life chances has been a strong influencing factor across the rest of his career.
Since 2015, as Managing Director John has led on a number of significant transformational changes to the business. He oversaw the transfer of Kent Surrey and Sussex CRC into the private sector, quickly establishing it as one of the leading Community Rehabilitation Companies in the UK. More recently John managed the acquisition of Outsource, and led both the high profile takeover of new probation service areas in the South West and Wales and the strategic merger with The Pluss Organisation Community Interest Company.
The breadth and depth of John’s knowledge across all areas of the business gained through his 35 years tenure has enabled him to form and develop an experienced and diverse senior team that are committed to Seetec’s culture, values and delivering its strategic vision.

Neil Bates
Managing Director
As Managing Director of Seetec Outsource Neil is responsible for the strategic leadership and development of the skills, apprenticeships and workforce training division of the Seetec Group.
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.

Kay Hedges
Director of Quality Excellence
Kay Hedges joined Seetec in October 2018 building on a long-standing career in further education and skills. She is a quality and teaching and learning specialist with particular expertise in equality, diversity and inclusion.
A current Ofsted inspector, conducting 5 full inspections each year whilst in her role at Seetec, she brings valuable and topical insight to the business.
Kay is responsible for leading the organisation’s strategic direction in quality and continuously driving improvements across the provision in the pursuit of excellence. Kay has worked extensively on national apprenticeship programmes but also brings expertise from general further education, specialist education and employability.
Kay is a strong advocate of processes that result in social mobility, skills development and achievement that helps people progress personally and professionally and produces results and improvements for their employers. Kay believes that being part of a progressive organisation like Seetec Outsource can be a real force for good, helping people to overcome barriers, extend skills and meet their true potential, whilst driving economic growth and filling essential skills gaps.

Nikki Bardsley
Director of Apprenticeship Operations
Nikki joined Seetec in 2017 serving as our Director of Apprenticeship Operations.
Nikki has over 21 years’ experience in the apprenticeship and skills arena. For the past eighteen years Nikki has worked for high-profile grade 2 training providers specialising in the development and delivery of high quality apprenticeship programmes. As Director of Apprenticeship Operations Nikki is responsible for facilitating the development of quality operational delivery and the development of apprenticeship standards in new and innovative sectors.
As an active member of the executive and advisory board for Greater Manchester Learner Provider Network (GMLPN), Nikki is a strong advocate of skills development both at national and local level to support social mobility and the opportunities that career development provides.

Andi Macgregor
Head of AEB and Traineeships
Andi joined Seetec in January 2018 and has overall responsibility for our national adult education and traineeship contracts.
Andi has over 20 years’ experience in the the skills industry. She is passionate about education and skills and the impact they can have on individuals, supporting them into employment and increasing opportunities for social mobility. Andi has successfully led on a range of national contracts for learners aged 16 plus and was part of the ESFA’s initial drive to launch 16-18 traineeships. After leading on a highly successful pilot Andi moved on to advise government bodies and employers on successful implementation plans for opportunities across the 16-18 traineeships arena.
Seetec’s recent success in securing Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and West of England Combined Authority devolved contracts has further enhanced Andi’s portfolio and provided the business with further opportunities to impact on local authority area skills agendas to support economic growth.