New Years Honours gongs for AoC and further education leaders

Leaders across the further education sector, including five who have worked closely with AoC, have been recognised in the New Years Honours list.

The New Years Honours list highlights the incredible public service of individuals from across the UK and this year has seen a haul of gongs for those working for colleges and across the further education sector.

This includes five individuals who have worked closely with AoC in recent years:

• Former AoC President Sally Dicketts is made a dame in the New Year Honours list.
• AoC chair Shaid Mahmood, and chair of Luminate Education Group, is made an MBE.
• Jatinder Sharma, principal at Walsall College and AoC board member, is made a CBE.
• Sue Higginson principal of Wirral Metropolitan College and vice chair of the AoC board is made an OBE.
  
• Lesley Davies, former AoC deputy CEO and soon to be Chair at Cheshire College, is made a CBE.

David Hughes, AoC Chief Executive said: "It is fantastic to see so many college leaders and those working across the FE sector getting recognised in this New Years Honours list. This is a testament to the incredible work which happens every single day in colleges the length and breadth of the country.

“I am particularly delighted to see four individuals who have given their time to support AoC in recent years pick up gongs, including our former president Sally Dicketts who is made a dame. Sally’s tireless work as a champion for the sector deserves recognition and this is richly deserved.

“I am also pleased to see AoC chair Shaid Mahmood has been made an MBE for his work guiding AoC and as an education leader. There is also recognition for the vice chair of the AoC board Sue Higginson who has been made an OBE and fellow AoC board member Jatinder Sharma, principal at Walsall College, who has been made a CBE. A big well done too to Lesley Davies, former AoC deputy CEO and soon to be Chair at Cheshire College, who is made a CBE.

“To all those working across our sector who have been recognised I would like to send my heartfelt congratulations.”