Hull College is celebrating a double success at the 2026 Chartered Governance Institute Awards.
Vice Principal Governance & Compliance Catherine Sykes MBE named Governance Professional of the Year, while the college also won Diversity and Inclusion Project of the Year for our Silent Voices, Vivid Stories initiative.
The awards recognise excellence and innovation across the governance profession, highlighting the college’s commitment to strong leadership, accountability, and creating an inclusive environment where every learner can thrive.
Recognising outstanding governance leadership
Catherine was recognised for her contribution to governance at Hull College and across the wider Further Education sector.
Under her leadership, governance has evolved into a strategic partner supporting institutional improvement, accountability and innovation. Catherine is also recognised nationally for her work on the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in governance, serving as a Department for Education National Leader of Governance and Chair of the Association of Colleges’ National Governance Professionals’ Group.
The award follows further recognition earlier this year, when Catherine received an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to Further Education.
Catherine Sykes MBE said: “I’m absolutely honoured to have been named Governance Professional of the Year at the 2026 Chartered Governance Institute Awards. It was a fantastic evening and a real privilege to represent Hull College and Further Education within the wider governance profession.
“While I’m incredibly proud to receive this recognition, it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of a fantastic Chair, Rob Lawson OBE, and our Principal & CEO, Dr Debra Gray CBE, alongside our Board of Governors, Executive Management team and colleagues across the college. I’m privileged to work with such a supportive team every day.”
Celebrating inclusion through Silent Voices, Vivid Stories
Our second award recognised Silent Voices, Vivid Stories, a governance-led initiative placing inclusion, accessibility and social cohesion at the heart of the college’s decision-making.
The programme aims to ensure the experiences and needs of refugees, asylum seekers and multilingual learners are reflected in our systems, structures and culture.
It now supports more than 1,000 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners each year, many of whom face significant barriers to participation following experiences of displacement, disrupted education and poverty.
The double success recognises the people and initiatives helping to shape our future, highlighting how effective governance and a commitment to inclusion can make a meaningful difference to our students, our community, and the wider Further Education sector.
