College leader to chair government's maths plan

By Tim Aldred

24 Apr 2023

Fionnuala Swann

Fionnuala Swann, assistant principal of Nelson and Colne College, will chair Rishi Sunak’s expert advisory group to support his Maths to 18 plan. 

The prime minister's plan was outlined in January and aims to implement some form of compulsory mathematics taught to all British students up to the age of 18. 

Fionnuala represents Nelson and Colne College, which was awarded an Outstanding rating at its last OFSTED inspection in March of last year and has been recognised by the Department for Education as a Centre for Excellence in Maths. 

The expert advisory group is comprised of mathematicians, college education leaders and business representatives including an architect of the national curriculum, a former Ofqual boss and the CEO of the credit card giant Capital One UK.

Fionnuala said: "Both the college and I believe passionately in the value of maths and its crucial role to enable young people to progress in their education and future careers. 

"As a member of a Maths Centre for excellence and OFSTED outstanding provider, my focus will be on advising on what the necessary maths knowledge and skills are needed and whether a new qualification is required.”

Lisa O’Loughlin, principal and CEO of the Nelson and Colne College Group, added: "Her appointment is a testament to her exceptional leadership, her unwavering commitment to mathematics education and her ability to inspire and support our students to achieve remarkable things in this field.

"We are incredibly proud of her, and this appointment further showcases our dedication to providing high quality mathematics education for all students." 

The group will conduct its work between April and July 2023 with the intention to develop a key strategy for how the British education system can compete, mathematically, with global competitors. The experts will then meet with the prime minister and the secretary of state for education in order to discuss their findings.

The full advisory panel

  • Fionnuala Swann (Assistant Principal, Nelson and Colne College Group) 
  • Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE (Chancellor, University of Leicester) 
  • Peter Cooper (Executive Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Heart of Mercia Multi-Academy Trust) 
  • Lucy-Marie Hagues (Chief Executive Officer, Capital One UK) 
  • Professor Jeremy Hodgen (Professor of Mathematics Education, University College London) 
  • Simon Lebus (Non-Executive Chairman, Sparx) 
  • Tim Oates CBE (Group Director of Assessment Research and Development, Cambridge University Press and Assessment) 
  • Charlie Stripp MBE (Chief Executive Officer, Mathematics in Education and Industry, and director, National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics)

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Walker Fire accelerates growth with two strategic acquisitions and launch of new digital platform Walker Fire

Walker Fire accelerates growth with two strategic acquisitions and launch of new digital platform

08 Jul 2025

2

10th year of growth for Begbies Traynor Ric Traynor of Begbies Traynor

10th year of growth for Begbies Traynor

08 Jul 2025

3

Iconic Lancaster Inn gets £600K makeover New bar at Toll House Inn at Lancaster

Iconic Lancaster Inn gets £600K makeover

08 Jul 2025

4

FWP completes life-changing youth support project Boat House Youth Centre

FWP completes life-changing youth support project

08 Jul 2025

5

Former footballer scored honorary title Clarke Carlisle

Former footballer scored honorary title

07 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin