College principal Alun Francis has been appointed as the permanent chair of the government’s Social Mobility Commission.
Francis, who leads Blackpool and the Fylde College, was named deputy chair of the commission in October 2021 and stepped in as interim chair at the start of this year after Britain’s so-called “strictest headteacher” Katharine Birbalsingh from Michaela Community School in London quit.
Francis has been a notable figure in FE, having led Oldham College as principal since 2010, and then moving to head up Blackpool and the Fylde College this year.
He was also made an OBE in the Queen’s New Year 2021 Honours for his services to education.
