Nelson and Colne College Group appoints new principal and CEO

Nelson and Colne College Group has appointed Lisa O’Loughlin as principal and chief executive.

Lisa's experience includes work in the further education sector including a senior role in East Lancashire.

She joins from The Manchester College and LTE Group, and was previously deputy principal of Blackburn College between 2007 and 2013.

In Manchester, she developed a college strategy and operational plan to increase learner achievement by more than 10 per cent as well as increasing learner satisfaction. She has also guided the college to deliver an ambitious and award-winning curriculum strategy and undertaken significant campus redevelopment.

Alongside her role at The Manchester College Lisa worked closely with Greater Manchester Combined Authority supporting the development of the regional skills strategy in her role as chair of Greater Manchester College’s Group. 

At the Nelson and Colne College Group, Lisa will undertake a strategic review, including discussions with local employers, school leaders and key partners.

She said: "I am delighted to be here at Nelson and Colne College Group and cannot wait to get started on ensuring that the only Outstanding College in Lancashire continues to go from strength to strength.

"Following on from the great work that the team have done prior to my joining I intend to work with our excellent teaching and support teams to further strengthen the high-quality academic education available to young people and adults across the region.

"I will also work with cross-college teams to extend the aspirational career routes available to all through further developing technical education and employer partnerships and really highlight why Nelson and Colne College, Accrington and Rossendale College and Lancashire Adult learning are truly the very best places to be to secure your future, whatever that may be.”

Phil Wilkinson, chair of governors for Nelson and Colne College Group, said: "I am delighted that Lisa has now joined us as principal and CEO of Nelson and Colne College Group and am supremely confident that she is the perfect individual to help shape our outstanding organisation through our next phase, further strengthening our college group and extending the reach of our extraordinary education experience across East Lancashire and beyond."