Shelagh Legrave, Chief Executive of the Chichester College Group, has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
She has been recognised for her services to education in the list, which was announced this evening (Friday 11 June).
Shelagh said: "This is such an unexpected honour; I was so surprised when I heard. I feel really privileged to have been honoured again, after receiving an OBE in 2015. I never thought this would happen.
"I absolutely love my job and to be recognised for doing something I love is extraordinary. I can't quite put into words how it feels. I am simply thrilled.
"This comes at a time when I am preparing to leave Chichester College Group, which will be a huge wrench. I am so proud of everything we have achieved in my 11 years as principal and chief executive.
"To be judged as Outstanding by Ofsted for a second time last year was a moment I will never forget, and it was a fantastic recognition of everything we've done together, and our efforts to provide a first-class educational experience for our students."
Shelagh has been principal and chief executive of Chichester College (now Chichester College Group) for 11 years, and during that time her passion and drive has seen the college group thrive under her stewardship.
Under her tenure, Chichester College Group (CCG) has grown in to one of England’s largest college groups following mergers with Crawley College in 2017 and Worthing College in 2019, and the opening of Haywards Heath College in 2020.
Throughout this time of change, Shelagh has raised performances and outcomes through the cultivation of a culture that strives from innovation and improvement.
She has led the group through two ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted inspections during that time. The most recent in 2020 when the college group became the largest in the country achieve ‘Outstanding’ – a rating that saw Worthing College improve from ‘Good’ and Crawley College from ‘Requires Improvement’.
Shelagh is also committed to sharing good practice serving and an advisor to the Sainsbury Review of Technical Education and was consulted on the 2021 FE White Paper.
In April 2021, it was announced that Shelagh has been appointed as the new FE Commissioner – a role which she will take up in October 2021.
Dr James Sarmecanic, Chair of Governors at Chichester College Group, said: “Shelagh is an exceptionally inspiring leader and a most deserving recipient of this honour, which recognises her commitment and contribution to the FE sector.
“Her passion for further education and creating opportunities for young people - and people of all ages - is clear for anyone to see. She works tirelessly to promote and champion the sector and the communities she works in.
“On behalf of everyone at the Chichester College Group, I would like to congratulate Shelagh on the award of her CBE.”
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