THE former chief executive of Bradford College, Michele Sutton, was today receiving a CBE for her services to further education at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Her career began in 1979 as a part-time lecturer and in 1981 she was appointed at Handsworth College, where she worked her way up from lecturer to vice-principal.

She moved to City College Manchester, before taking up her first principal post at Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale.

Mrs Sutton then spent ten years at Bradford College serving as principal and chief executive before leaving last year.

She is now interim principal and chief executive at Bournville College in Birmingham.

Mrs Sutton was awarded an OBE for services to further education and community cohesion in 2009 and her CBE was also in recognition of these services, especially for her extensive work in education in Bradford and for her work as president of the Association of Colleges.

She said: “I have never envisaged how my career would pan out and how it would be recognised.

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"I couldn’t have done it without support from my family and colleagues. It has all been so worthwhile as Further Education is a sector that I am passionate about, especially how it can change lives and make a difference to so many people.”