Lisa Fathers, Deputy CEO, honoured with OBE for services to education

Lisa Fathers, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Bright Futures Educational Trust, has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to education.

With more than 25 years of experience in the sector, Lisa has devoted her career to raising aspirations, improving outcomes, and driving transformational change across schools and communities. As Deputy CEO of Bright Futures Educational Trust, she demonstrates an unwavering commitment to improving the life chances of children and young people – a vision deeply embedded within the Trust. Lisa possesses significant expertise in school improvement and has served as a National Leader of Education (NLE) and a highly regarded School Improvement Partner (SIP).

In the last 10 years at Bright Futures, Lisa has mobilised a movement of system leadership and played a pivotal role in leading and shaping teacher development and leadership training at scale across Greater Manchester and beyond. She and her team are responsible for the training of thousands of Early Career Teachers and aspiring leaders, ultimately improving the quality of teaching for children.

Lisa was the architect for Bright Futures Professional Development Institute (PDI). The PDI sits at the heart of the Trust’s People Strategy, reaching over 800 schools. It encompasses a wide-ranging portfolio, including two Teaching School Hubs and other Department for Education (DfE) hubs.

Lisa’s unwavering commitment to inclusion, wellbeing, and collaboration is evident in her leadership of so many cross-sector initiatives such as the Greater Manchester Mentally Healthy Schools Programme. Her passion for equality shines through her active role championing football for girls and sport for all. She sits on the first-ever Greater Manchester Women’s Football Board (GMWFB), showcasing her dynamic, innovative approach to cross-sector collaboration. During the pandemic Lisa Chaired the national ‘Well Schools’ board for the Youth Sport Trust and has championed Greater Manchester’s Bee Well strategy.

Lisa contributes generously and significantly to the wider education system through a number of governance roles too such as being Chair of the Trust Board at South Pennine Academies, and a member of the Greater Manchester Mayoral Reform Board. Lisa is also proud to be a Fellow at the Charted College of Teaching. In her personal life, Lisa is also committed to building a sense of community. She regularly organises charity events through the group-exercise classes she teaches in her spare time at The Village Hotel in Warrington.

Lisa said: “I am absolutely delighted and humbled to receive this recognition, which reflects not only my own work but the incredible work of so many dedicated colleagues and professionals I have had the privilege to work alongside.

“This is a tribute to all those who have worked so hard at Bright Futures, whose passion, integrity, and leadership continue to inspire children and young people and nurture tomorrow’s teachers and leaders.

“I have been lucky enough to work with some outstanding leaders who have created so many opportunities for me. It continues to be a joy to contribute to a sector that has the potential to transform lives, and I am committed to continuing this work with passion.

“This honour is as much for my colleagues as it is for me and all those involved in the education sector at every level.”

John Stephens, Chief Executive Officer at Bright Futures Educational Trust, commented: “This is a richly deserved honour for Lisa, whose leadership and vision have helped to shape the direction of our Trust and influenced the wider educational landscape. Her passion for system-wide improvement, wellbeing and collaboration is a source of inspiration to us all. We are incredibly proud to see her contribution recognised in this way.”

An OBE, or Officer of the Order of the British Empire, is a prestigious honour awarded by His Majesty, the King to individuals who have made significant contributions to their field or to public life. The OBE recognises exceptional service across a wide range of areas including education, and public service.