Middlesbrough College Group principal and chief executive Zoe Lewis has been awarded a CBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.
Zoe received her award for services to education after ten years as head of Middlesbrough College Group, one of the largest learning centres in the North East.
She joined the College in April 2005 as vice principal, finance and administration before becoming principal and chief executive in 2013.
Under Zoe’s leadership, Middlesbrough College has grown to become one of the largest in the region and has flexed its offer significantly over recent years to better meet the needs of local businesses and support the region’s economic and social prosperity.
Its £120m campus is home to more than 1,000 staff and has a student population of over 15,000 with a range of vocational and academic courses in every occupational sector area, from entry level through to Level 7 postgraduate qualifications.
As well as Middlesbrough College, the wider Middlesbrough College Group incorporates apprenticeship and training specialist Northern Skills, which delivers over 100 different apprenticeship courses to more than 2,000 students every year; and TTE who joined the Group in 2019 and are moving to the Middlehaven campus next Spring in a brand-new technical training centre.
In recent years, Zoe has utilised her extensive experience to support policy development for the Department of Education and the Association of Colleges and is very active regionally supporting the CBI and Chamber of Commerce to develop their business and skills policy work.
Speaking about her award, Zoe Lewis said: “I’m naturally honoured to receive this award, which is a reflection of the fantastic work of the students and staff at Middlesbrough College Group and the great support of the wider Tees Valley community.
“This is an amazing place with wonderful people and it remains a real privilege to play a part in helping students of all ages achieve their aspirations and follow their dreams.”
