Neil Bates is Chief Executive of Prospects Learning Foundation, a large educational charity based in South Essex.

The Foundation aims to promote education and skills and has two substantial vocational skills centres of excellence located in Southend and Basildon which provide Construction and Engineering specialist diplomas, pre-apprenticeships and advanced apprenticeships. The Foundation is also the sponsor and Trust for Futures Community College, a new 11-19+ college based in Southend on the site of the former Thorpe Bay School.

Neil has worked for the charity for 19 years and has been Chief Executive for 12 of those years. During this time he has led the growth and development of the charity which is now one of the largest providers of vocational learning in the East of England. Prior to joining Prospects he worked for the Manpower Services Commission and The Employment Service and has worked in the field of employment and training for 25 years.

He is also former Chairman of the National Training Federation, and the Association of Learning Providers, Chairman of the Southend Education Action Zone, a Director with Renaissance Southend, a member of 14-19 Pan Essex Steering Group and an Associate Governor of a local school.