"Humbled and proud" - East Lancashire Learning Group leader Lisa O’Loughlin awarded CBE in New Year Honours
East Lancashire Learning Group leader Lisa O’Loughlin has been awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours.
Lisa, the principal and CEO of East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG), has been appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours 2025, recognising her exceptional services to post-16 education and her longstanding commitment to improving outcomes for young people and adults.
The honour marks a moment of pride for Lancashire’s education community, with Lisa leading one of the county’s most important skills and learning institutions at a time when the region is focused on economic growth, workforce development and widening opportunity.
Since taking up her role at ELLG in December 2022, she has driven a bold agenda focused on excellence, innovation and creating clear routes into high-value careers for learners across East Lancashire and beyond.
“I’m humbled by this award, and really grateful to the people that nominated me. Excellence at East Lancashire Learning Group is only achieved through a collaboration between students, parents, employers, stakeholders and of course the phenomenal teachers and support colleagues I work with every day. I’m proud of the work we do together and grateful that it’s being recognised in this way.”
ELLG, which comprises Nelson and Colne College, Accrington and Rossendale College, and Lancashire Adult Learning, is the only college group in England to have maintained Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ status for 20 consecutive years, with its fourth consecutive outstanding inspection in December 2024.
Under Lisa’s leadership, the group has continued to strengthen its national standing while keeping its focus firmly on Lancashire learners and employers. ELLG was ranked number one in England for A-Level and vocational progress in March 2024, demonstrating that students make greater progress from their starting points than at any other college nationally.
Lancashire Adult Learning also continues to rank as the top provider in England for adult learning, supporting residents across the county to retrain, upskill and progress.
Phil Wilkinson, Chair of ELLG’s Corporation, said: “Lisa’s complete commitment, drive and expertise has been evident since day one and critical to the College’s success and impact on our local communities and learners. She embodies the Group’s values, including ‘We never stop at good enough’, with a passion for improvement and inspirational leadership that is recognised and felt by learners, colleagues and partners alike.”
Alongside her Lancashire leadership, Lisa has also been recognised for her national influence on education policy and skills reform. She is one of only two further education representatives on the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) panel, helping to shape recommendations that will inform learning for young people across England for years to come.
She has also been confirmed as a member of the new Young People and Work Group, a government-linked advisory group focused on strengthening how young people aged 14–25 are supported into education, training and sustainable employment.
Professor Becky Francis CBE, CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation and Chair of the Review panel, said: “Lisa is an inspirational role model for other leaders in the college sector, due to her ability and determination to realise a vision. Beyond her leadership of her own outstanding college group, she contributes to national success via roles such as the Curriculum and Assessment Review Panel, work which will affect the lives of millions of young people.”
In Lancashire, Lisa’s focus has been on ensuring the county’s learners can access world-class education and training aligned to real labour market needs. ELLG is currently investing millions in Industry Innovation Hubs linked to priority sectors including engineering, digital and health, designed to address regional skills gaps and support employers to grow their talent pipelines locally.
The group is also developing higher-level opportunities through partnership working, including collaboration with Lancaster University’s Lancaster Link initiative, helping students access progression routes and future careers.
“We’re incredibly excited about what this investment means for our students,” said Lisa.
“We’ve made these investments because we know it’s what the area needs. Our mission is to ensure every young person, regardless of their starting point, has access to world-class education that opens doors to meaningful careers.”
O’Loughlin’s CBE is expected to be widely welcomed across Lancashire as a recognition not only of her national contributions, but of the strength of the county’s further education sector - and the impact ELLG continues to deliver for learners, families, employers and communities.