Why I Joined the SEATS Board and Why What We Do Matters
When I was asked to be one of the founding members of the SEATS board of Directors I jumped at the chance.
Having spent several years leading restructuring and re-skilling in a business transformation role for a major international company, with significant resources – I could see a really clear gap in the market for an organisation linking business with upskilling and re-skilling know-how. I could also clearly see how all of this could be utterly inaccessible to smaller organisations, without time and resource to dedicate to navigating the complex training and funding environment.
I’ve spent years working with businesses who are facing the same challenges: how do you upskill existing staff while also ensuring local people are work-ready, qualified and confident enough to step into vacancies as they arise? Too often, those two goals are treated separately. SEATS brings them together.
What really stood out to me was the fact that nobody else is doing this work in quite the same way. The SEATS team has built a model that goes beyond simply placing learners onto programmes. Their wraparound support for both the learner and the line manager is something I haven’t seen offered elsewhere — and in my personal experience is key to delivering lasting impact. The significantly higher-than-average retention rates organisations working with SEATS experience speak for themselves; demonstrating that when people are properly supported they stay on track and succeed.
In a short space of time, SEATS has achieved a great deal, and that’s down to the hard work, determination and absolute commitment of the team. Their success isn’t accidental — it’s the result of really listening to employers, understanding real workforce pressures, and putting the right support in place at every step. It’s the result of going into local businesses and providers and understanding the aspirations and challenges first-hand, and providing informed advise and solutions.
My role on the board is to support that team as they continue to grow the business: to offer challenge where needed, guidance and governance in strategy and vision, and support for the team to balance opportunity, growth and delivery. Most importantly, it’s about protecting what makes SEATS effective — a focus on outcomes, relationships and doing the right thing for people and businesses alike.
SEATS is helping to build a skilled, work-ready local workforce with all the social and economic benefits that brings, while giving employers the confidence that their investment in people will pay off. That’s why I joined the board — and why I’m proud to support the work they’re doing.
