It was 1 February 1974 when John Bateman first started working for UK Youth, or the National Association of Youth Clubs as it was known then. Edward Heath was Prime Minister and the UK was about to go to the polls.
More than 36 years and eight Prime Ministers later, Bateman retired from the youth organisation earlier this month.
During his career spanning five decades at UK Youth, Bateman has held various positions. In 1974, he started out as national sports officer and later in the 70s became director of youth work. Then in 1994 he was appointed as chief executive. He can still recall vividly one of the conversations he had during his first week at the organisation. "When I joined I was in my twenties and I was very nervous," he says. "I remember one of the directors saying that one of the benefits of working for the organisation is that you can be chief executive one day. Luckily that came true for me."
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