East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG) Principal and CEO, Lisa O’Loughlin, has received her Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) at Windsor Castle, presented by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
The investiture ceremony took place on 11 March, in recognition of Lisa’s outstanding services to education. The award was announced in the King’s New Year Honours List in December 2025.
For Lisa, the honour marks more than a personal milestone. It recognises a thirty-year career in further education and a sustained commitment to improving outcomes and opportunities for learners across East Lancashire and beyond.
Under Lisa’s leadership since 2022, ELLG has achieved continued national recognition, including a fourth consecutive Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating (December 2024).
The latest National Achievement Rates from the Department for Education place ELLG as the country’s top general further education college overall, ranking first for 16 to 18 achievement. The Group also leads nationally for A Level, academic and technical level progress. Lancashire Adult Learning, part of the Group, is the country’s leading provider of adult learning.
Lisa was one of only two further education leaders appointed to the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review panel, playing a direct role in shaping education policy for millions of young people across England. She has since been appointed to an ongoing independent national review led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, examining the root causes of rising youth inactivity across the UK.
Speaking after the ceremony, Lisa said:
“Standing in Windsor Castle and receiving this honour from the Prince of Wales was a moment I will never forget. But it felt less like a personal recognition and more like a celebration of everyone who makes our Group what it is. Our students, our communities, our staff and our partners. I am from Lancashire, and Lancashire shaped who I am. I hope this in some way reflects what we are all working towards together.”
For ELLG, it is a proud moment. Lisa’s investiture at Windsor Castle showcases the impact of further education and the role it plays in creating opportunity, driving progress and supporting communities across the region.
