Marc Washbourne, Independent Director, brings deep experience in education systems, business, digital and technology, including an understanding of digital transformation, emerging technologies and the changing digital expectations of customers, as well as a passion for perfecting pizza dough and playing Pac-Man.

When Marc Washbourne flew into Sydney in 1999 with just a backpack and a working holiday visa, he planned to be back in London within six months. 

Soon after he arrived, Marc met another self-taught software developer, Ken Shepherd. “We both had the idea to build a software product and I had this really strong sense that I wanted to build a product that could make a difference and have an impact,” said Marc. 

“So we formed a company, which became ReadyTech, and found an opportunity to build our first software product to help job seekers get back into the workforce. I fell in love with building the product and wanted to make it a success.”   

Early on, Ken handed over the reins to Marc and since then, as co-founder and CEO of ReadyTech, Marc has overseen its growth from those early product development days to the ASX-listed SaaS company it is today. It serves over 4,000 customers in the education, employment services, workforce management, government and justice sectors. Annual revenue now exceeds $100 million.  

HOPE, DIGNITY AND PURPOSE  

“Those first years were spent on the front lines of employment services. I think when you see what life's like without a job you realise that a job offers ‘hope, dignity and purpose,’ not just a paycheck,” he said. 

“So my desire to be part of the Future Skills Organisation really comes from those early days of working to help the unemployed and understanding how important training and reskilling can be.” 

With over 500 people in the company, Marc has been hiring and developing technology talent for over 20 years and says the company has got better at understanding the types of people that are going to thrive at ReadyTech.  

ATTITUDE, POTENTIAL AND SKILLS 

“We hire for attitude, potential and skills,” says Marc, who leads a diverse and inclusive organisation with around 10% of the team recognised as neurodiverse with a condition such as dyslexia or autism.  

“We don't place an outsized emphasis on degree courses and someone doesn’t need to have gone to university to be successful,” adds Marc. His own daughter has chosen the TAFE pathway to advance her skills in fashion design.  

“As parents, I admit my wife and I had to check ourselves on our own bias about her choice. Where we've landed as a family is that if you follow your strengths and your passions, you'll be successful in whatever you do.  

“I'm really happy that she's chosen the TAFE route and feel she is lucky to know the pathway she wants to take, so we have to back her. She'll be learning skills with people who have the same passion. It’s very exciting and the TAFE offers a fantastic course that will help her realise her potential,” he said. 

He also knows that some parents might believe their teenagers need to be ‘techie’ to have a career in technology.  

“The tech industry is a little bit misunderstood; I feel that many believe that it's just for guys who are coding locked in bedrooms or garages. 

“I certainly don't think that's the case at all. Of course, there are some very technical roles but there are so many other roles too. Look at roles like a product manager or product user experience, which very much needs design-based skills.  

“Tech is an incredibly creative pursuit because you're problem solving every day. I'd love to see better awareness of what the reality is and grow the number of people choosing a career in tech. It’s a very fulfilling industry to be in, so I do think we need to change the perception and I will be helping the FSO to do that.” 

MOUNT EVEREST CHALLENGE   

Away from the tech industry, he helps raise funds and awareness for PanKind, the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, a charity that supports pancreatic cancer patients and their families. His latest fundraising challenge was leading a team walking to Mount Everest Base Camp.  

In 2024 he plans to take a large group up to Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. “We have a lot of customers in Tasmania and a Centre of Excellence in Tasmania for digital roles. Working with the TAFE and University we plan to take on students there, develop our own talent and give them critical on-the-job learning opportunities. So it seemed appropriate to choose Tasmania for the next challenge.”  

Another challenge he encourages everyone to try is to test out the vintage arcade game collection across ReadyTech offices, including 80s favourites Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Streetfighter. 

“I like to stack them in our offices,” said Marc. “I’m not sure the Gen Ys or Zs get it, but anyone brought up in the 80s loves them!”

3 QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS

What's the best advice you’ve been given?  

What got you here, won't get you there. The advice was really saying stay curious, keep learning and know that it’s OK to say, ‘I don't know, but I'm going to figure it out.’ 

A simple thing that makes you happy?  

Cooking for my family. I got a wood-fired pizza oven last year and I've been quite obsessed with perfecting pizza dough.

What book are you reading currently?  

I have just finished one about food by the actor Stanley Tucci. He's even more obsessive about cooking than me. I’m about to start the Elon Musk biography by Walter Isaacson. I enjoy bios of business leaders where you can learn how they think and how they make decisions.