Marc's Update - Our CEO reflects on his 10 years of leadership

If you’re reading this – you’ll know by now that I’ll be leaving South East Consortium in July 2025.

After almost 10 years leading SEC and with our 20th anniversary coming up, it feels like the right time to for both the business and I to make this change.  

I joined SEC in September 2015 – an ambitious 29-year-old buzzing about running a business and making it brilliant. 

Wind the clock back and I led a small team supporting some 20 members/customers and delivering around 50 tenders a year – the business needed re-energising and re-establishing.  But there was [and still is] so much potential.

Immediately we set to work, creating a levy model, breaking down barriers and building new relationships. 

I learnt a lot, every day.  It was proper ‘get out of your comfort zone’ everyday stuff.

But I had a big audacious vision to see out – it simply looked like this:  growth, independence and identity – I thought our own office might help too [we lived in a small office within Amicus Horizon at the time] …

That might sound small fry, but it wasn’t for us. At the time we were pretty much a department within a big RP.

I wanted us to deliver procurement solutions but whilst giving the best customer experience possible.  I didn’t want us to be average.  Only you can tell me if we’ve succeeded here.

I’m not going to give facts and figures but let’s just say our growth journey has surpassed all our expectations.  The results have been outstanding.  I’m proud of what the business has achieved over the last decade. Every colleague and Board member during the last decade has played a part in that.

The next CEO inherits an incredibly healthy business that needs to make some important decisions about its social purpose.  They’ll have plenty of exciting possibilities at their fingertips.

They’ll also need to keep on top of the customer experience, as we’re working in a market full of frameworks – some good, some poor.  Some unethical that need closer scrutiny – but the latter is for another time.

The last decade has seen a lot of change for me personally, too.

I became CEO, met my now wife at the Housing Conference in Manchester 17’, got my MBA and became a dad to my little boy Max. Along with these big life milestones, there have been some tough times, no less than becoming ill with colon cancer and skin cancer in the past two years. 

But I’m here to tell you that I’m fine and healthy – full of energy [as much as you can have with a 9-month-old!], about to take on a new challenge.  The only impact this has had on my decision to move on is that life’s too short…

The role of CEO at SEC was much more than a job for me.

I’ve given it everything and it’s given me a decade of incredible moments back. 

The SEC network has been with me through all of that and I will always be grateful to you for every message of encouragement and piece of advice.

This is not my leaving speech – you will have to join us at the 20th year celebration on 2 July 25’ for that.  But there are so many of you to thank for being part of my journey and I hope you continue to be part of SEC’s journey as I pass on the baton.

Recruitment for my successor will be underway before Brighton CIH this week – watch this space for more details if you are interested in applying.  

I’ll be leading on seeking my replacement whilst partnering with Campbell Tickell to bring our role to life. Look out for further updates over the summer.

David Smith will become Acting CEO [from 19 May] – seeing us through the next six months or so whilst we complete the recruitment.  David will offer us consistency and the same energy to make sure that the business pushes on with its ambitions.

As for me, I’m sure you’ll be wondering what I am up to next…

I’ll be joining Baily Garner as the Director of Growth and Transformation in the summer.  

BG have offered me a proposition that sets out a pathway where I can continue to influence and support both their business and customers. 

They have big audacious plans of their own – and I’m delighted to be getting involved. 

I’ve seen many contractors and organisations during my time at SEC, and BG is a place that aligns with my core values and commitment to a positive working culture.

I’m excited to take on this new challenge.

For now, I wish the SEC team, board, service providers and all the members and customers at the best of luck.  It’s been a pleasure.

We have 10 weeks or so to say our goodbyes and I am hoping to see as many of you as possible…

Thanks for everything.

Marc Baines – Chief Executive Officer