Alun Francis is Principal and Chief Executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College. He has thirteen years of experience in further education, having previously led Oldham College. Prior to this he had a varied career which has included a range of public services, local government, area-based regeneration, youth work and education, including primary, secondary and higher education. Alun has a strong interest in the economics of what is now referred to as ‘levelling up’ and sees FE colleges as making a strong contribution to addressing this challenge.

Alun is Chair of the Social Mobility Commission which is an independent body, sponsored by the Cabinet Office, which exists to create a United Kingdom where an individual’s future is not determined by the circumstances of their birth.

He received an Order of the Order of the British Empire for service to education in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List.