A number of outstanding college principals were recognised for their services to further education in the New Year’s Honour’s List today.

Michele Sutton (pictured), who retired as principal and chief executive of Bradford College in the summer, and Dawn Ward, principal and chief executive of Burton and South Derbyshire College, were both awarded the CBE.

On her retirement Mrs Sutton, former president of the Association of Colleges, said it had been a “privilege” to lead the college for a decade, and said she would miss the “buzz”.

Mrs Ward has held a number of senior positions in FE for more than a decade, and joined Burton and South Derbyshire College in November 2008, the same year she was named principal of the year by the Centre for Excellence in Leadership.

There were also OBEs for Colin Booth, principal of Barnsley College; Ian Clinton, former principal of Blackburn College; Jatinder Sharma, principal and chief executive of Walsall College; and Mardy Smith, principal of New College, Worcester.

Other FE sector figures recognised (see full list below) included Barbara Spicer, former interim chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency, who was awarded the CBE, and Sue Crowley, former chair of the Institute of Learning, who gained the OBE for services to FE and teaching.

FE figures recognised in New Year’s Honours list:

CBE

Barbara Spicer, lately interim chief executive, Skills Funding Agency. For services to Education, Learning and Skills. 

Michele Sutton, lately principal and chief executive, Bradford College and President, Association of Colleges. For services to Further Education. 

Dawn Ward,  principal and chief executive, Burton and South Derbyshire College. For services to Further Education.

OBE

Colin Booth, principal, Barnsley College. For services to Further Education.

Ian Clinton, lately principal, Blackburn College. For services to Further Education. 

Susan Crowley, chair, Institute for Learning. For services to Further Education and Teaching.

David Baden Jones, principal and chief executive, Coleg Cambria and lately principal and chief executive, Deeside College. For services to Further Education in North East Wales.

Maura Regan, principal, Carmel College and chief executive, Carmel Education Trust. For services to Education.

Jatinder Sharma principal and chief executive, Walsall College. For services to Further Education.

Frank Smith, chair of governing body, Chesterfield College. For services to Further Education.

Mardy Smith, principal New College, Worcester. For services to Education.

MBE

William Greer, head, Training Organisation, South Eastern Regional College. For services to Education in Northern Ireland.

Maryanne Hodgkinson head of arts, media and business administration, Derwen College, Oswestry. For services to Further Education for Adults with Learning Difficulties.

Celine McCartan, deputy director (head of corporate and support services), South West College. For services to Further Education in Northern Ireland.

Julie McLean director, work based learning and school partnerships, City College Plymouth. For services to Education.

Nicolette Perry. For services to Further Education and Training.     

Sheila Selwood,  lately director of governance, West Herts College and member, Association of College Governors Council. For services to Further Education.

Medallist of the Order of the British Empire

James Jackson, head caretaker, Woodhouse College, London Borough of Barnet. For services to Education.

Alan lemin head of student recruitment, Plymouth College of Art. For services to Further and Higher Education and to the community in Cornwall.

Christopher Willder, grounds person, Brooksby Melton College, Leicestershire. For services to Horticulture and Land- Based Education.

Anne Williams, lately community development officer, Loughborough College. For services to Further Education and to the community in Leicestershire.