The Principal and CEO of Hopwood Hall College has been awarded an OBE - 30 years after starting her career as an apprentice.
Julia Heap, who’s been at the helm of the award-winning college since 2019, was named on the King’s New Year’s Honours List.
She received the prestigious accolade in recognition of her outstanding contributions to skills and Further Education.
Hopwood Hall, which has campuses in Middleton and Rochdale town centre, has seen remarkable and consistent growth under Julia’s leadership - sparked by her fervent commitment to widening participation for
people of all ages and from all backgrounds.
It’s this commitment that led to the college being presented with the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2024 for its trauma-informed approach to widening participation.
Julia began her own career 30 years ago as a 22-year-old apprentice in Oldham.
It was this personal experience that shaped her outlook on education and the ways it could be used to transform lives and communities.
The mum-of-three has since become a passionate advocate for technical education, apprenticeships, skills-based training and lifelong learning.
Julia said: “Undoubtedly, education has the power to change lives; it changed mine as an adult apprentice - and for that I’ll always be a passionate advocate for the transformative impact of gaining new skills at any stage of life.
“I’m delighted to be playing a role in raising aspirations alongside such incredible colleagues, governors, employer partners, and, of course, the brilliant students who are the heart and soul of our college community.”
For Julia, the New Year’s Honours List is the culmination of a 30-year journey that has seen her go from apprentice to principal and CEO, to Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
