Lesley Davies OBE, Chair of Governors Designate at Cheshire College – South & West has been made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in this year’s New Year’s Honours List. 

This honour follows an earlier recognition in 2015 when Lesley was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to education.

Appointed as Governor in December 2022, Lesley has worked in the education and training sector for the majority of her career.  

Prior roles in the sector include the CEO and Principal for The Trafford College Group, Deputy CEO at the Association of Colleges (AOC) and Senior Vice President and Senior Responsible Officer for Pearson, with responsibility for qualification standards, quality and the awarding of all academic and vocational qualifications. She was also responsible for the development of all vocational qualifications worldwide.  

In 2016, Lesley became Chair of the newly formed UK Skills Partnership Board, a network of the UK’s leading education sector organisations and which was established to promote the development of vocational and technical skills internationally.  She is also a member of the DIT’s Ministerial Education Sector Advisory Group and British Council’s Education Advisory Board.  

Commenting on her CBE, Lesley said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this honour.  It has been a privilege to have worked with so many amazing staff  from across the Further Education sector, who make a difference to the students, and the communities they serve, every day – and I thank them for their dedication and support.”