Back with new categories, this year’s 12th ENAs will highlight excellence, world-class achievements and improvement across the University, HE, FE and Sixth Form sectors in the North of England.
The awards are judged by an esteemed panel of industry leaders and experts.
The judging involves a rigorous two-stage process including pre-scoring to determine shortlists and a judging meeting where entries are discussed and evaluated in detail to decide the winning entries.
Professor Chris Headleand | Head of the Staffordshire Games Institute | University of Staffordshire | Linked In | X Profile
Professor Chris Headleand is Head of the University of Staffordshire Games Institute and a National Teaching Fellow, recognised internationally for his work in games education, immersive technology, and digital innovation. With a background spanning computer science, media, design, and entrepreneurship, he has led multiple national award-winning education initiatives in employability, digital learning, and student engagement, including the StaffsVerse metaverse campus and the 1UP placement scheme. A frequent keynote speaker and media contributor, Chris’s work bridges academia and industry, championing creativity, inclusion, and innovation across the global games community.
Dr Catherine Boyle | Operational Excellence Coach | Invest Northern Ireland | Linked In
With a primary degree and PhD in Chemical Engineering, Catherine has more than 15 years’ experience of working in the pharmaceutical industry and the automotive sector. She has held a wide range of technical roles including manufacturing, design, process safety, distribution, project management and managing a technical team. Catherine has been working for Northern Ireland’s economic development body, Invest Northern Ireland for the past 6 years. She is an Operational Excellence Coach, supporting businesses across Northern Ireland in the implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles and Continuous Improvement practices in their processes through a combination of training, advice, mentoring and coaching. Catherine is an active STEM ambassador, promoting STEM subjects in schools, and she sits on the STEM Education NI Advisory Panel.
Clare Webster | Director of Apprenticeships and Skills | St Helens College | Linked In | Website
Clare is an experienced educator who has a passion for driving change and skills development. Working alongside education and industry professionals Clare actively promotes the importance of digital equity amongst the sector and the positive impact this has in teaching, learning and assessment. With emerging technologies, ever increasing needs for effective and efficient delivery models, successful integration of technology can maximize success in so many ways for learners and educators. Clare truly believes that the right technologies can transform pedagogical practice and immersive learning environments truly can inspire teachers and learners, developing skills over and above the courses being studied.
Dr David Perrin | Deputy Head of Division | Chester Business School, University of Chester
David has a background as an academic and writer on political and economic theory, though over the last two decades has developed expertise in academic credit and accreditation of prior learning issues in Higher Education, now running one of Europe’s largest HE accreditation frameworks for adult learners in work, while publishing extensively in this field. David currently works part-time for the University as Deputy Head of Division in Chester Business School and Framework Leader of Work Based & Integrative Studies (WBIS), which has nearly 1,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students across the University. He has also been Director of the Centre for Work Related Studies at Chester and was appointed as an Associate Professor. He has worked closely with large public sector organisations and has operated as a consultant on behalf of the University advising organisations that have included the Cabinet Office, RAF, Department of Work and Pensions and a range of private-sector providers. He currently sits on the Executive Education Committee of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
Ruth Ashford | Emerita Professor |
Former Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean at Manchester Metropolitan University and Executive Dean at University of Chester, Professor Ruth Ashford has over 25 years of teaching and learning experience in HE. Ruth was also former Chair of Academy of Marketing (AM) and former Chief Examiner for Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for many years, as well as serving on the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) panel responsible for Business and Management Benchmark Statements and this has a provided wealth of experience in managing teaching quality.
Professor George Lodorfos | Dean of Leeds Business School | Leeds Beckett University
Professor George Lodorfos is an electrical and electronic engineer by first degree, he holds Masters degrees in Automation and Control as well as in Innovation and Technology Management, and a PhD in Strategic Management of Research and Development. In addition, he has supervised to completion and he has examined many PhDs both in the UK and Europe and is an external examiner for two UK universities. He has extensive practical and academic experience in the field of Strategic Management, R&D and Adoption of New Technologies and Innovation. In addition, he has done extensive research and enterprise work in the areas of buyer behaviour with particular interest in online purchasing and the use of technology to enable the sustainable growth of businesses. Furthermore, he has done extensive research and enterprise work in the areas of Small Businesses Development and Growth. Teaching Experience George is a Principal Fellow of the HEA and has more than fifteen years of teaching experience at all levels, in areas including, Business Strategy, Business Planning, International Business, Managing Innovation and Change, Entrepreneurship, and others. Research Interests Professor Lodorfos' research interests are in the broad thematic areas of Innovation, Enterprise and Change, and Consumer Behaviour. Particular research themes include: • Organisational changes in the form of mergers, acquisitions, demergers and divestments and the effect that they have on organisations' performance. • The management of research and development in technology intensive industries. • The factors that enable SMEs' sustainable development. • The factors that affect consumer behaviour in the food and drinks industry. • The focus of his research and enterprise work, and therefore the impact of his work is on how to "boost" business growth for enterprises.
Helen Nellist | Deputy Principal | Cheshire College - South & West | Linked In | Website
Helen is the Deputy Principal and Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Cheshire College South and West with a focus on managing Apprenticeships, Employer Engagement, Partnerships, International Recruitment and Provision, Schools Liaison and Marketing/Communications, Estates and Health and Safety for the College. Helen is also a Governor at Upton High School and a Director of the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber. Helen is also on the Board of Directors for Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS where she aims to actively contribute to addressing mental health issues in the benefit of the service users.
Jackie Njoroge | Chief Strategy & Data Officer | University of Salford | Linked In
Jamie Griffiths | Group Content Director (Capital and Smooth Radio) | Communicorp UK | Linked In | Website
John Cater CBE DL | Chair, Unite Foundation and Former Vice-Chancellor | Edge Hill University |
John was first appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University in 1993 until 2025. During his 32 years as Vice-Chancellor John has led Edge Hill from a college to a University, gaining Degree Awarding Powers in 2006. As a social geographer, he has published extensively on race, housing, economic development and public policy and co-authored major research studies for the Social Science Research Council, the Commission for Racial Equality and their successor bodies.
Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee | Aerospace Engineer | BAE Systems | Linked In | Instagram
Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee is a multi-award winning Chartered Aerospace Engineer and STEM Ambassador who works at BAE Systems, she also creates engineering content on social media and owns her own small business, AviateHer. She studied Aerospace Systems Engineering at the University of the West of England and became the first engineer in her family. She is passionate about encouraging and inspiring more young people to consider STEM careers.
Professor Lawrence Bellamy | Executive Dean for Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business | Staffordshire University | Linked In
Lisa Woodman | Executive Director of People, Culture and Wellbeing | Hopwood Hall College | Website
Lisa has worked in a variety of HR roles for over 35 years, mostly in the public or education sector. She ran her own HR consultancy for 2 years and this provided an opportunity to support a number of SME's in the private sector. In addition, Lisa has led a number of cross college teams in FE covering, customer services, student services, learning resource centers, safeguarding , wellbeing and equality, diversity and inclusion. In recent years Lisa has progressed into more senior leadership roles in FE and has led organisational, leadership development change management programmes leading to improved efficiency. Her current role is part of the senior leadership team at Hopwood Hall College, where she leads the HR, Safeguarding and Wellbeing and Equality Diversity and Inclusion teams. Lisa is passionate about the impact that education has on the lives of young people and the difference it makes in improving their future potential.
Dr Michelle Phillips, PhD | Head of Enterprise (Academic) | Royal Northern College of Music | Linked In | Website
Michelle is Head of Enterprise (Academic) and a Senior Lecturer in Music Psychology at the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester, UK). Her research interests include entrepreneurship and freelance careers, audience response to live and recorded music, and music and Parkinson’s. Michelle’s research on ‘what makes live music special?’ was recently featured in UK Research and Innovation’s series ‘101 jobs that change the world’. Michelle was Principal Investigator on the ‘StART Entrepreneurship Project’, funded by an award of £902,153 from the Office for Students and Research England between 2020 and 2022, with partners the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and University of the Arts London. The project sought to develop new initiatives in entrepreneurship and enterprise training, with a particular focus on the creative industries. The RNCM was named Times Higher Education Outstanding Entrepreneurial University 2023 and was awarded 3rd place in the ‘Young Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ category in the international Triple E Awards 2023. Michelle has served as a Director of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and is a Fellow of Enterprise Educators UK. Michelle has appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, ITV News, BBC News online and ITV Granada Reports. She recently worked with the Science and Industry Museum to co-design their ‘Turn It Up: The Power of Music’ exhibition.
Professor Nicola Curtin FMed Sci | Emerita Professor | Newcastle University
Nicola Curtin is Emerita Professor at Newcastle University, having retired in 2024 after 40 years at that institution. She is an elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences since 2022. With the royalties she received for the development of an anticancer drug, she established a charitable fund with the Community Foundation North East, of which she is now a patron, to support people who have been disadvantaged to realise their potential through education and training. She is currently Editor in Chief of Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine, consultant for pharmaceutical companies and serves on review panels for Cancer Research UK and the Academy of Medical Sciences. As a former winner of a Lifetime Achievement award by ENA in 2023 she has enjoyed participating in the judging panel for awards and continues to be impressed by their high standard.
Carol Ann Whitehead CMgr CCMI | Heritage Operations and Chair, Public Programme Committee | The Portico Library | Linked In | Website
Award winning Carol Ann is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Co-founder of The Zebra Partnership a publishing and creative agency. She is former Portico Library Trustee, joined the team to support the NHLF Reunited Project and lead Heritage Operations. With her Chartered Management Institute (CMI) credentials as CMI Regional Chair and Womens Board Deputy Chair she is also the library's Chief of Staff. She is Trustee for 50:50 Parliament also their EDI 2024/25 Campaign Lead for ‘Amplifying Muted Voices’ empowering northern women of colour to become Councillors or MP’s. In celebration of Black History Month October 2024 Carol Ann was awarded the ‘Citation of Honour’, from the GEWE Global Network (Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment) In November 2024 she won the Baton Award Political Figure of the Year for her tireless work empowering women into politics. In May 2025 Carol Ann received the special Constance Award from the Inspiring Women Awards for her dedication to ‘Queen Making’ and being a ‘Disruptor for Good’ Carol Ann is a monthly BBC Radio Manchester contributor since 2014, known as a ‘Trender’ discussing events, current affairs, heritage nationally and internationally.
Phil Harris | Emeritus Professor & Chair of the Judging Panel | University of Chester
Phil Is Professor Emeritus at the University of Chester and was previously Executive Director of the Business Research Institute, a Dean of its Business Faculty and held the Westminster (Grosvenor) Chair in Marketing and Public Affairs. He is Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa. He is a past Chairman of the Marketing Council (UK) PLC, Board member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Professor of Marketing at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand and Founding Director of the Centre for Corporate and Public Affairs at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he led one of the largest business start-up and support initiatives in the North. Prior to becoming an academic he held positions in the international chemical, and foods industries with ICI and RHM and has chaired or been a board member of the American Marketing Association, Academy of Marketing, and the Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy. Phil has advised government on Medium Sized Businesses and Small Business and helped found the Educate North Awards in 2015 and University Enterprise Challenge in 2016. He is recognised for his work in developing high quality entrepreneurs regionally and internationally both in the not for profit, private and public sectors. He serves on a number of boards, trusts and holds visiting positions and professorships in China, Germany, India, New Zealand and South Africa.
Rachel Candler | Freelance Producer | The Lowry
Dr Shobana Nair Partington | Head of Department | Manchester Metropolitan University Business School
Shobana has over 20 years experience of working in Higher Education in the UK and abroad. She leads the department that delivers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the subject area of business technology, business analytics, project management, operations and supply chain, events and hospitality management. The department is also home to the sector leading Degree Apprenticeship programme in Digital Technology Solution.
Professor Steven Rhoden | Dean | University of Lancashire Business School | Linked In | Website
Steven Rhoden is Professor of Business Engagement and the Dean of the University of Lancashire Business School. He is Past President of EuroCHRIE and serves on the council of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and the Preston Business Improvement District committee.
Stacy Vipas | Assistant Principal | Askham Bryan College | X Profile
The Educate North Awards represent both an important high-point and aspiration for the North’s academics, institutions and indeed students. It provides a platform for sharing excellence and achievement. More importantly it encourages, promotes, and nurtures the sector and talent. Congratulations on reaching 10. Here’s to the next ten celebrations of what the education sector achieves.DR JOHN CATER CBE DL, FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR EDGE-HILL UNIVERSITY
I was overwhelmed to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the Educate North Awards. It’s inspiring to see so many dedicated people being recognised for their important work across the educational sector and across so many disciplines. I hope the creators will build upon their own success and create more opportunities to showcase what education really means in the North of this country.PROFESSOR NICOLA CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE
Seeing the Educate North Awards live for the first time was a wonderful experience. To bring an often disparate sector together is wonderful, to share best-practice is fulfilling and to see the superb standards from Sixth-Forms, Further Education and then HE in one room is often, breathtaking. We should embrace the ENAs more and drive it forward beyond this special 10th ceremony.SIR JOHN JONES EDUCATIONALIST
The idea sounded complex but exciting in 2015. Could the North create a showpiece which would harness the best of the talents we have in our educational sector? Would anyone even enter? Would we create a respected and highly motivated judging panel and find expert leadership for it? Would we also find room, as we did in the first 3 years, to debate the future direction and resources needed to increase social mobility and opportunities for all? Would we find new business ideas and young entrepreneurs as well with a willingness to test their ideas? The answer was yes, and the result is a wonderful parade of superb nominees who are helping shape and change the worlds they occupy. Long may Educate North continue.DR JOHN KENNEDY CBE, KSG, KMCO, DL. PATRON OF EDUCATE NORTH AWARDS
