The Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE) has recognised new Members, Fellows and Associates at its prestigious Admissions Ceremony held at Apothecaries’ Hall in the City of London on 11 December 2025.

Colleagues and dignitaries from across the Further Education sector came together to welcome Barnet & Southgate College and United Colleges Group as the latest providers to attain admission into the Chartered Institution.

The ceremony was opened with the reading of a special message sent from the Minister for Skills, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, who said that the importance of FE in the education arena cannot be overstated. The Minister congratulated all those being admitted into The Institution, and acknowledged the role of The Chartered Institution and its members as key to supporting and achieving the fantastic work that takes place in the sector.

During the afternoon, Shelagh Legrave CBE DL, the outgoing FE Commissioner, was recognised by the Institution for her enduring contribution to FE, with conferral of an Honorary Fellowship. In her moving acceptance address, the FE Commissioner, who retires at the end of the year, talked of the important role that the Further Education sector had played in her life and it’s significance in transforming the lives of so many others; those who learn in FE and those who forge careers in this vital area of education and, in particular,  how elevating the prestige of FE careers matters so much to everyone in the sector.

Fellowship of the Chartered Institution was also conferred upon several leaders from organisations across the sector including Burton & South Derbyshire College, The City of Liverpool College, Cheshire College South & West, Loughborough College Group, South Hampshire College Group, York College & University Centre, Umbrella Training, Cambridge Regional College and Activate Learning Group.

Many more FE professionals also became Associates of the Institution, under the Chartered Institution’s Professional Recognition Framework. This included several who have successfully undertaken Technical Leadership development through the Chartered Institution’s well regarded programme for those preparing for or in the early phases of the highest levels of leadership, as well as a number of individuals who have successfully completed The College Collective AoC Expert Programme delivered by The KWPartnership and Association of Colleges. This included professionals from East Kent College Group, Activate Learning, Mid Kent College, The Sheffield College, Hopwood Hall College, Brockenhurst College, Middlesborough College, Hull College, South Hampshire College Group, Burton and South Derbyshire College, Southwark College (NCG), North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College, Bournemouth and Poole College, South Thames College.

The Chairman of the Chartered Institution for Further Education, Lord Lingfield Kt DL, commented:

“The prestigious status of Membership recognises the commitment of FE organisations to upholding the highest standards in Further Education for the benefit of learners, employers and their wider communities. Membership is reserved for providers that demonstrate a clear ethos of collaboration, excellence in leadership and governance and exemplary teaching and learning.

I was especially pleased, on behalf of the Chartered Institution, to confer awards on a new cohort of accomplished FE leaders and professionals who became Fellows and Associates of the Chartered Institution. Awards are made in recognition of an individual’s ongoing commitment and contribution to Further Education through continued professional development, pursuit of excellence and enduring impact on learners, localities, industry and the sector at large.”

 The Chartered Institution Professional Recognition Programme is a tiered framework designed to recognise and reward the professionalism and impact of individuals working within the Further Education and Skills sector. It emphasises the importance of extended professional development, including industry-linked experiences and research, to the delivery and leadership of high quality, relevant and impactful education,  encourages the pursuit of excellence and acknowledges the personal commitment of individuals to their ongoing development and experience.

Opening of the Admission Ceremony

Council Members Opening the Admissions Ceremony

The opening of the Admissions Ceremony

The opening of the Admissions Ceremony

CIFE Chairman Lord Lingfield welcomes guests

Lord Lingfield opening the ceremony.

The Lord Lingfield KT DL FCFE

Neil Coker, CEO, receiving the charter on behalf of Barnet & Southgate College

Stephen Davis, CEO, accepts the charter on behalf of United Colleges Group

Retiring FE Commissioner Shelagh Legrave accepts her Honorary Fellowship of the Chartered Institution

Jasbir Dhesi, Cheshire College South & West

Corrie Harris, Loughborough College Group

Andrew Kaye, CEO, South Hampshire College Group

Ken Merry, York College & University Centre

Adele Oxberry, Umbrella Training

Mark Robertson, Cambridgeshire Regional College

Lindsey Biggs, East Kent College Group

Hayley Phare, The Sheffield College

Namaan Mohammed, Hopwood Hall College

Pete Jodrell, South Hampshire College Group

Alexa Phillips, Brockenhurst College

Ranjit Singh, Hull College

John Beaty, BSDC, delivering the Vote of Thanks

Dawn Ward CBE DL receiving her Honorary Fellowship in special recognition of her work in establishing the Institution

Some of the Fellows & Associates

Deputy Chair, Dawn Ward CBE DL FCFE

Shelagh Legrave CBE DL FCFE delivers her acceptance address

Shelagh Legrave CBE DL receives her Honorary Fellowship from Lord Lingfield

Diploma tubes containing recognition awards for Fellows & Associates of the Institution

The Winter Admissions Ceremony

The Chartered Institution for Further Education

The Chartered Institution Arms – E Libertate Praestantia

The Royal Charter