Julia Heap awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s Honours List

Hopwood Hall College is extremely proud to announce that our Principal and CEO, Julia Heap, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.

This prestigious accolade is in recognition of Julia’s outstanding contributions to skills and Further Education.

Julia, who is celebrating her birthday today, has been at the helm of many transformative college initiatives since becoming Principal and CEO in 2019.

Hopwood Hall, which has campuses in Middleton and Rochdale, Greater Manchester, 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, Greater Manchester.

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.

During her tenure at Hopwood, Julia has presided over the £11million expansion of the Advanced Technology and Construction Centre at the Middleton Campus.

This state-of-the-art building exemplifies Julia’s championing of skills-based training, particularly construction and advanced manufacturing.

In addition, she is leading on a significant capital programme at the college’s Rochdale Campus, which will develop a dedicated space for Higher Education.

This will allow greater opportunities for learners to pursue more university-level pathways, including degrees.

Beyond institutional leadership, Julia’s influence extends across the wider education and skills landscape. She serves as:

• Board member at the RDA (Rochdale Development Agency)
• Independent member of the Non-executive Board at the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board), where she chairs the Audit and Risk Committee
• Leader for Skills and Joint Chair of the Innovation & Skills Advisory Group for the Atom Valley Board at the Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC)

Julia plays an active role in driving growth and changing lives in Rochdale and across Greater Manchester.

Just last month, Julia – along with T Level students from the college – joined Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, in breaking ground at the new Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre at what will become the flagship hub of Atom Valley.

This came just weeks before Julia, who is married to husband Brian and is mum to sons Niall, Liam and Owen, welcomed her first grandchild, Rián.

For Julia, the New Year’s Honour’s 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.

Julia Heap, Principal and CEO of Hopwood Hall College, said:

“I am truly humbled to receive this honour, which is thanks to the unwavering support I receive from a community of staff who can always be relied upon to go above and beyond for our students at Hopwood Hall College.

“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.

“There really is so much brilliant work taking place across the borough and this is being achieved through such strong collaboration from so many different people and organisations in Rochdale and North East Manchester.

“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.”

Gary Buxton MBE, Chair of the Corporation at Hopwood Hall College, said:

“Julia’s values shine through in the work that she does every day and her own story embodies the spirit of aspiration.

“She is someone who leads with humility and a sense of service to the community, which brings people together through education and inclusion.

“As a values-based leader, she creates a community at Hopwood Hall where people feel welcome and are encouraged to achieve their potential.”

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