Lisa O’Loughlin

Lisa O’Loughlin CBE is Principal and Chief Executive of East Lancashire Learning Group (formerly Nelson and Colne College Group), one of the UK’s highest-performing further education organisations. A nationally respected education leader, she has dedicated her career to improving opportunities and outcomes for young people, adults and communities through outstanding education, skills and employer partnerships.

Lisa began her career in further education at Blackburn College, teaching TV and media production before progressing through senior leadership roles, including Vice Principal and Deputy Principal. She later became Vice Principal and then Principal of The Manchester College, alongside serving as Deputy CEO of LTE Group, leading major programmes of quality improvement and organisational transformation.

In 2024, Lisa was appointed by the Government to the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR), chaired by Professor Becky Francis. As one of only two further education representatives on the panel, she helped shape recommendations to ensure England’s curriculum better reflects the needs of learners, employers and the economy.

She also served on former Cabinet Minister Alan Milburn’s independent expert panel examining the growing number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), contributing her expertise on social mobility, employer engagement and the role of colleges in improving life chances.

Lisa is recognised nationally for her leadership in further education and her commitment to creating opportunities that enable learners and communities to thrive.