MEMBERS of one of the UK’s largest college groups have been awarded OBEs in the Queen’s New Year 2021 Honours list.

Ellen Thinnesen and Rob Lawson were both honoured for their outstanding contribution to education for their work with Education Partnership North East (EPNE) which incorporates Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form.

Sunderland College merged with Hartlepool Sixth Form in 2017, and established EPNE after its merger with Northumberland College in 2019. Now one of the largest college groups in the country with 21,500 student enrolments, six college campuses and several satellite delivery centres situated entirely within the North East region, EPNE serves a significant catchment area spanning from Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Tees Valley.

Ms Thinnesen was appointed chief executive and principal at Sunderland College in 2016 and after both mergers became chief executive for EPNE in 2019.

She chairs the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP) Skills Advisory Panel and is also a NELEP board member.

Ms Thinnesen is a member of the Association of College’s Board and represents EPNE on other national, regional and local forums.

She said: “I feel incredibly humbled and want to recognise the inspirational people that I am privileged to work with every day. This includes my brilliant leadership team and wider college staff, in addition to our national, regional and local partners and many diverse supporters.

“I am absolutely delighted to learn of Rob’s honour. Rob is a tremendous source of support. As our valued chair, he successfully leads a dynamic board of governors who serve with passion and dedication. Rob’s deep commitment to the success of our region and our college is invaluable.

Collectively there are so many people who are instrumental in the success of EPNE’s vision, strategy and unquestionably the award of my OBE, which I am extremely grateful for.”

Rob Lawson, chair of governors at EPNE, was appointed chair of Sunderland College in 2013 after standing down as editor of the Sunderland Echo and editorial director of North East Press in 2012.

He became chair of the EPNE regional board on the group’s creation.

He is a National Leader in Governance for the Department of Education (DfE), working with other FE colleges across the country to improve their governance and is also a Reviewer for the DfE’s new governance pilot programme.

He said: “While obviously thrilled at this recognition, the honour reflects the hard work, dedication and astonishing talent of the team – staff and governors - at EPNE.”