Celebrating North East education heroes in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025
We’re delighted to celebrate the outstanding school leaders from our region who have been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025.
This prestigious recognition highlights their unwavering dedication and profound impact on education, not just within our vibrant North East, but across the wider educational landscape.
As the Voice, Glue, Bridge of all 1,150 schools in the region, we know firsthand the passion, hard work, and relentless commitment it takes to truly make a difference in the lives of our young people.
The five individuals we are celebrating today embody these qualities, and their honours are a testament to their exceptional contributions. We want to shine a particular spotlight on:
Lesley Powell CBE, Chief Executive Officer, North East Learning Trust
Lesley recognition with a CBE is a truly fitting tribute to her outstanding leadership and tireless efforts in shaping the North East Learning Trust. Her vision has undoubtedly transformed countless educational journeys, and we are immensely proud to see her dedication to improving education in our region honoured at such a high level.
Julie Deville OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Extol Academy Trust
Julie’s OBE acknowledges her significant contributions to education through her leadership of the Extol Academy Trust. Her commitment to fostering excellent learning environments and supporting students and staff alike has had a lasting positive impact on communities across Cleveland and County Durham.
Simon Gerard White OBE, Lately Chief Executive Officer, Vision Academy Learning Trust
Simon’s OBE celebrates his distinguished service to education during his tenure as CEO of Vision Academy Learning Trust. His leadership has played a crucial role in shaping the educational opportunities for many young people, and his legacy will continue to inspire.
Christopher James Simmons MBE, Lately Chair, Ad Astra Academy Trust
Chris’s MBE is a well-deserved recognition of his invaluable service as Chair of the Ad Astra Academy Trust. His strategic guidance and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in the success and development of the trust and its schools.
Transformative power of dedication and leadership in education
These honours not only acknowledge the individual brilliance of these leaders but also underscore the incredible collective effort being made across the North East to champion education. At Schools North East, we are constantly inspired by the commitment of our school leaders, teachers, and support staff who work tirelessly every day to provide the very best opportunities for our children and young people.
Join us in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Leslie, Julie, Simon, and Chris. Their achievements are a source of immense pride for the entire North East education community and serve as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of dedication and leadership in education.