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Lisa O’Loughlin is the Principal and CEO of Nelson and Colne College Group. She has a wealth of experience within the Further Education Sector having joined NCCG from The Manchester College, where she was Principal and Deputy CEO at LTE.

Lisa is committed to developing a college strategy and operational plan which will see both learner achievement and learner satisfaction increase, across all areas, with a key focus on ensuring a strong Academic and Technical Education Strategy, leading to high quality destinations. This advancement of high-quality technical education that meets the needs of the region’s employers is at the heart of Lisa’s leadership plan, and she is committed to growing employer partnerships and securing real opportunities for learners to develop the skills they need to drive today’s workforce.

Having previously worked in East Lancashire, as Deputy Principal of Blackburn College between 2007 and 2013, Lisa is no stranger to the area and is dedicated to ensuring that all learners, at all levels and all ages, are able to access only the very best skills and experience throughout their education.

Amanda was recently awarded a CBE for her service to education and skills. Amanda has been Principal of Nelson and Colne College, including Lancashire Adult Learning, since joining in 2012 – and became Principal of the merged College in November 2018, when Accrington and Rossendale College joined the College family. As well as being College Principal and CEO, Amanda represents English Colleges as a Commissioner in the Independent Commission on the College of the Future and is also a National Leader of Further Education.

Prior to joining Nelson and Colne College, Amanda was Assistant Principal at Trafford College, where her experience in quality systems and performance management then helped Nelson and Colne College achieve its two Outstanding Ofsted results, and Beacon Status.

Following a modern languages degree in London, Amanda’s career began in private industry in the biotechnology sector. With the arrival of her children, she then moved into Further Education with roles in teaching and subsequently leadership roles in marketing, employer engagement, learner services and also 16-18 learning.

Amanda is a Director of the Lancashire LEP, and Chair of the Lancashire LEP Skills and Advisory Panel. She is also a Director of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and Pendle Education Trust (PET), which is sponsored by the College.