Episode Guest

Watch now Jayne Worthington, CEO at The Progress Group, interviewed by Jack Parsons (UK's Chief Youth Officer).

Jayne is an experienced leader of complex and dynamic organisations. She is focused on creating a high performing workplace and team to drive Group growth and value and is committed to changing lives through the power of education and training. Jayne is also on the Board of Blackburne House and the E & Q Committee.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 - Jack welcomes Jayne Worthington, CEO at The Progress Group, to My Duvet Flip

00:22 - Jayne introduces herself and shares how The Progress Group impacts 100,000 lives a year

02:10 - Why Jayne doesn’t believe in New Year’s resolutions—micro-revolutions instead

04:35 - How small steps lead to career success and personal growth

07:20 - The toughest challenges Jayne faced early in her career

10:15 - How youth work shaped Jayne’s leadership style and mission

13:40 - Growing up on a council estate and how it influenced Jayne’s career path

17:25 - Overcoming imposter syndrome and finding confidence in leadership

21:10 - Why career success is about feeding your soul, not just earning money

24:55 - How The Progress Group supports young people excluded from mainstream education

29:30 - Investing £35M into social impact and changing career paths

33:15 - Why alternative education can be life-changing for young people

36:40 - The biggest mistake leaders make when managing their teams

40:15 - Why work should be more than just a paycheck—it should have purpose

43:10 - How The Progress Group helps adults retrain and return to the workforce

46:45 - Jayne’s advice for first-time CEOs: The one thing they must focus on

50:30 - The invisible success that shaped Jayne’s career

53:40 - Final question: What gets Jayne out of bed every morning to flip the duvet?

Episode Partner

The Progress Group is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of education and training.

But how is this achieved? It is made possible through a team of exceptionally talented colleagues who drive the organisation’s success. The Group is committed to investing in its workforce just as much as they invest in learners and customers. This positive working culture was recognised when the organisation was named a Times 100 Best Places to Work.

Each of its training and education businesses operates with a clear mission: to innovate, influence, and inspire others through high-quality and purposeful education and training.

Collectively, the Group engages with tens of thousands of individuals aged 13 and above across its alternative provision schools, independent careers guidance services, and adult education programs. These span multiple sectors, including children’s and adult social care, education, and the visitor economy.

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Jayne Worthington, CEO at The Progress Group: From Council Estate to CEO

My Duvet Flip by Jack Parsons