‘Honoured, humbled and proud’: Vice principal awarded OBE in New Year’s Honours

RECOGNITION: Lynette Leith

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Lynette Leith, Vice Principal for Curriculum and Skills at Hull College, has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in this year’s New Year’s Honours.

The prestigious accolade has been awarded in recognition of Lynette’s exceptional contribution to the further education (FE) sector and her pivotal role in transforming the college’s fortunes in recent years.

Under Lynette’s leadership and direction of the college’s curriculum and skills strategy, it secured a ‘Good’ rating from the most recent Ofsted enhanced skills inspection, in October 2023.

Ofsted highlighted the college’s adult provision and personal development as ‘Outstanding’, while its skills and employer engagement were recognised as ‘Strong’ – a testament to Lynette’s focus on aligning the curriculum with the needs of learners and the regional economy.

She said: “Receiving this recognition is incredibly humbling. For me this reflects the wonderful FE sector and the many teams and individuals that have coached, counselled and guided me along the way.

“Most importantly, this is recognition of the entire Hull College team – The Hullraisers. It is a genuine privilege to work with the team every day, and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together. I am honoured, humbled and proud.”

Debra Gray MBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Hull College, said: “Lynette’s OBE is richly deserved and underscores her pivotal role in Hull College’s journey of transformation.

“Her leadership and the collective efforts of the Hullraiser team has cemented our status as a vital education, training and skills resource for the community. This is a proud moment for all of us at Hull College.”