Published by Rowan Scahill
Published Date 02.03.2026 
Lucy Meacock, long serving host of ITV’s ‘Granada Reports’ will present the 12th Education North Awards (www.educationnorthawards.com) on Thursday 7th May 2026 at The Point, Lancashire Cricket Ground.
The world class achievements of the north’s university and higher education sectors will be celebrated alongside the advancements and success of FE Colleges from the east to west coast as well as sixth forms.
The names of three winners, nominated by the listeners of Smooth and Heart across the north, will also be unveiled for their outstanding work and achievements to support pupils and students from across the region. The popular radio stations reach 2 million listeners across the area.
‘This year’s entries into the ENAs are breathtaking’ proclaimed Emeritus Professor Ruth Ashford, Deputy Head Judge of these prestigious awards; ‘2025 set a high bar for the quality and sheer excellence on display but 2026 promises to be even more of a challenge for our judges drawn from across the north and the country’.
She continued; ‘We have enjoyed a huge 31% increase in entries from last year and the quality goes from strength to strength despite the sector facing increasing demands and pressures.’
‘We are therefore delighted to welcome Lucy as our host because she not only knows and lives in the north but in her other role as Chancellor of Salford University, she knows the pressures facing the people who deliver such brilliance in a period of growing uncertainty’.
Lucy began her broadcasting career with BBC Radio in Newcastle followed by Tyne Tees TV in Newcastle before being headhunted by the BBC in London. She then joined the BAFTA winning ‘Granada Reports’ team in the late 1980s where she hosted news, debates, and live daytime programmes such as ‘This Morning’ for the network and also read bulletins for ITN and ITV News.
‘These awards have grown and grown since their inception in 2015 and are a real measure of commitment, professionalism and often, moving stories of great breakthroughs and determination,’ said Lucy.
’I will be putting my Salford loyalty to one side and join the audience of academics, students and the wider business and social community to salute the achievements of these superb finalists at a time when education is hardly ever out of the news’.
Tickets for the event are on sale now at www.educationnorthawards.com
Patrons include John Kennedy CBE; University of Manchester, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool John Moores University, and sponsors are CCUK owner of Smooth NW, Smooth NE and Heart Yorkshire, Mindful Education, and IT Capital. RM Communications stage the event, and the judging panels are led by Emeritus Professor Phil Harris and Emeritus Professor Ruth Ashford.
