We believe that working in the right way to connect people with education, skills and employment can bring meaningful opportunities and real change for people.
Our diversity and scale helps us to cross pollinate what works from one program or location to another. More importantly, to invest, test and scale new ideas, resulting in evidence-based sustainable solutions.
While many social problems are universal, no two communities are the same. So, we tailor our approach through localised presence, data, partnerships and investment. This results in solutions which meet each communities’ unique needs.
We work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders to create innovative partnerships and meaningful social change at scale rather than replicating existing efforts.
At BUSY we believe in unbounded possibilities. For us, this means never giving up, always pushing for better, and always working for more social impact.
The BUSY Group is one of Australia’s leading apprenticeship, employment, alternative education and skills providers. What started out as a project to support the employment of young people has evolved over five decades into a thriving and diverse organisation.
In 2019, BUSY set up its first alternative school in rural Australia. The schools’ positive outcomes and real impact over 5 years has seen BUSY scale to 9 schools.
Having firmly established ourselves as a trusted provider of services in Australia, we are committed to extending our service delivery presence to the UK.
We remain committed to our mission of working in partnership with local and national commissioners to secure the right job for the right person, to see more people achieving their potential and help more communities to experience positive change.
Our people are highly experienced in leading, designing and delivering programmes that change lives.
We have a track record of working on behalf of local and central governments across the UK and abroad, including councils, combined authorities, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Education, the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office.
Rhys has more than 20 years’ experience leading impactful organisations around the world.
With a rich history in international development, humanitarian response and employment support, Rhys has dedicated his working life to delivering large scale programmes worth more than £1.5 billion that transform communities in the UK and beyond.
His clear passion for social change, strategic vision and unwavering commitment have driven initiatives that empower individuals, foster sustainable growth within communities and, ultimately, positively change lives.
Di is a seasoned Operations and HR Director with over four decades of experience in delivering transformative employability and health services across both public and private sectors. Di brings a wealth of expertise in building high-performance teams and fostering environments that support individual growth and development.
An empowering leader, Di is deeply committed to helping individuals reach their full potential. Her recent accomplishment of founding an Occupational Health company from the ground up exemplifies her dedication to quality and her unwavering focus on putting people first. Di’s leadership blends strategic insight with a compassionate approach.
Whitney is a senior leader in impact and innovation with over 12 years’ experience across government, consulting, and purpose-driven organisations.
She specialises in turning complexity into clarity—blending data, design and narrative to drive measurable outcomes and organisational growth. Her work spans youth employment, social enterprise and international development, with a focus on aligning people, purpose and performance.
Whitney is passionate about making impact not just measurable, but meaningful—ensuring it lands, lasts and leads.
She holds Master’s degrees in Globalisation & Development and in Management, Culture & Change, and is currently completing an MBA in Leadership.
John is The BUSY Group UK’s Director of Education and has over 25 years of experience in education, with a strong commitment to supporting the most vulnerable learners.
A proven track record of developing leaders across Wales, John is dedicated to fostering high standards and raising aspirations for all pupils. John’s passion for making a difference drives his work, particularly in supporting some of the most disadvantaged groups in education, ensuring every learner has the opportunity to succeed.
Avril has a wealth of experience developing strategic relationships and creating collaborative opportunities that bring benefit to our local communities, people and businesses across the UK, working in partnership with a variety of organisations. She is passionate about creating inclusive opportunities and equity, supporting our local economies to grow and thrive.
Her role within BUSY UK focusses on stakeholder engagement, working with like-minded people and organisations, with a view to making positive change, driving inclusive growth and creating a more sustainable society. Achieving this through meaningful collaboration, developing innovative services and strategies that can benefit our people, build strong partnerships and enhance our relationships.
Avril has worked in a number of management and leadership roles within a variety of sectors including finance, pharmaceuticals, employability and skills. Avril is also an Independent Governor at South Devon College, and supporting staff and students to be the best that they can. With a Master’s degree in HR Management, Avril truly believes that our people are the true asset to any organisation, and by investing in and developing our people this will in turn bring organisational success.
Mark is responsible for operational performance, financial governance, compliance and sustainable growth across The BUSY Group UK.
He brings over two decades of experience across public services, justice, and employability, with a strong background in operational leadership, commercial strategy and financial control. Mark is known for translating strategy into effective delivery, strengthening governance, and building operating models that balance social impact with financial sustainability.