Hugh Baird College Principal Rachael Hennigan Awarded OBE in The King’s New Year Honours List

Hugh Baird College is proud to announce that its Principal and Chief Executive, Rachael Hennigan, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in The King’s New Year Honours List, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to education.

The prestigious honour recognises Rachael’s exceptional leadership within further education over many years and more recently the collective achievements of Hugh Baird College in transforming the lives of young people and adults across the Liverpool City Region. Rachael joined Hugh Baird College in February 2020 as Principal and Chief Executive, bringing with her more than 15 years’ experience in the further education sector. Her career in education began in Merseyside, teaching at Kilgarth School and St Julie’s Catholic High School, before progressing rapidly into senior leadership roles focused on raising standards, improving learner outcomes and strengthening the quality of education.

Prior to joining Hugh Baird College, Rachael held the post of Deputy Principal at Calderdale College in Halifax, a role she undertook from 2016. Earlier in her career, she served as a Curriculum Leader at Blackpool Sixth Form College before moving to Blackburn College, where she held a number of senior leadership positions, including Assistant Principal with strategic responsibility for the quality of teaching and learning.

Under Rachael’s leadership, Hugh Baird College has experienced significant improvement and growth. In November 2024, the College was awarded an Outstanding Ofsted rating, placing it in the top 10% of further education colleges nationally. Inspectors identified the College as an institution that is “transforming the lives of young people across the region.”

Ofsted inspectors praised the strength of leadership and management, noting a clear and ambitious vision “founded on the belief that their students and apprentices, staff, and local community deserve the best education and training they can provide.” Inspectors also highlighted that “students and apprentices rapidly develop their confidence, resilience and independence because of highly effective teaching, extensive support, and participation in life-enhancing experiences.”

Teaching staff were commended for their passion and vocational expertise, with Ofsted noting that learning is engaging, highly relevant, and closely aligned with learners’ next steps into employment, apprenticeships, and higher education.

Ofsted’s findings are reflected in the College’s strong national performance outcomes, which demonstrate the impact of this focus on quality, ambition and learner progression. Hugh Baird College is ranked No. 1 in the country for Tech Level 3 progress, while Sefton Sixth Form College, part of Hugh Baird College, is placed among the top 6% of further education colleges nationally for A-level progress.

Learner achievement outcomes further underline the College’s success in supporting students to complete, progress and succeed. Hugh Baird College is in the top 15% nationally for 16–18 achievement and ranked in the top 5% of general further education providers in England for apprentice achievement, reflecting the strength of teaching, support and progression pathways across the College.

Rachael is no stranger to Hugh Baird College or the Liverpool City Region. She grew up in Bootle, Sefton, attended Archbishop Beck Catholic High School, completed her A-levels at Hugh Baird College, and went on to study at Liverpool John Moores University. Her personal connection to the area has strongly shaped her commitment to widening participation and ensuring education creates opportunity for local communities.

As Principal and Chief Executive, Rachael provides strategic leadership across the Liverpool City Region, working with employers and public sector partners to support economic growth and social mobility. She chairs the Association of Liverpool City Region Colleges, ensuring a cohesive regional skills offer and leading collaborative curriculum development across priority sectors. Rachael is also a member of the Liverpool City Region Business and Enterprise Board, aligning education provision with local skills needs and progression into higher-skilled employment. Locally, she chairs the Bootle Partnership Group and supports effective transition from school to post-16 education through the Career Kickstart programme.

Speaking on receiving the award, Rachael Hennigan OBE said:

I am extremely proud to receive this honour, but it is not an individual achievement. It reflects the dedication, skill and commitment of all the staff, students and partners I’ve had the pleasure of working with throughout my career, who work tirelessly every day to create opportunity and support learners to succeed.

As someone who grew up locally and studied at the College, it is a privilege to lead an institution that transforms lives across our communities and the Liverpool City Region.

Kerry Kirkwood, Chair of Governors at Hugh Baird College, said:

Rachael is an extraordinary leader, striking a wonderful balance of intellect, humility, generosity and integrity. A first-class Principal, she has shaped a dynamic and successful college for the benefit of staff, students and the wider community. This honour is richly deserved and is a tribute to both Rachael and Hugh Baird College. The Board of Governors warmly congratulate our Principal and CEO.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

This honour is richly deserved. Rachael is an outstanding leader who has dedicated her career to opening up opportunity and raising aspirations.

I’ve seen first-hand the transformation at Hugh Baird College under her leadership, and the impact it’s having on young people and adults alike. From achieving an Outstanding Ofsted rating to delivering the skills our economy needs, the College is playing a vital role in our region’s future.

I know everyone across our region will join me in congratulating her on this fantastic achievement.