Double New Year’s Honours success for Hull College

HONOURED: Debra Gray CBE

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Two members of the senior team at Hull College have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours.

Principal and chief executive Debra Gray has been made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of her services to education.

The CBE is awarded to individuals who have made a sustained and significant contribution at national level, demonstrating exceptional leadership and impact within their field. 

Made an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2020, Debra is a highly experienced leader whose career spans further and higher education.

She is recognised for leading complex institutional recovery, strengthening governance and culture and championing high-quality, inclusive education.

Since joining Hull College in 2022, Debra has led a period of rapid and sustained improvement. She took up post shortly after the college received its second consecutive ‘Requires Improvement’ judgement from Ofsted and while the organisation was subject to prolonged government intervention. 

Following a full Ofsted inspection in October 2023, the college was judged ‘Good’ overall, with ‘Outstanding’ grades for adult learning programmes and personal development.

In the same year, the college successfully exited government intervention after more than seven years, marking a decisive turning point in its stability, performance and future direction. 

In November this year, the college was also the recipient of a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education - one of the highest national honours available to UK colleges and universities.

Debra said: “I am deeply honoured to receive a CBE for services to education. While my name appears on the citation, this recognition belongs to the incredible teams I have worked with throughout my career, and especially to the amazing ‘Hullraisers’.

“Leaders are only ever as good as the people they work with, and I have been privileged to stand alongside some of the very best in further education.

HUMBLED: Deb Millar OBE

“Together, our Hullraiser team has restored trust, raised standards and rebuilt pride, driven by a shared belief that background should never determine opportunity.”

The college’s executive director of digital transformation, Deb Millar, has also been made an OBE (Officer of the British Empire), recognising her exceptional and sustained services to education.

A respected figure in further education for more than 35 years, Deb has become widely known as one of the country’s most impactful digital education leaders, dedicated to driving innovation and inclusivity in further education.

Her work at Hull College over the past three years has been transformative, positioning the institution as a sector leader in digital innovation, AI adoption, accessibility and staff digital capability, benefiting thousands of students, educators and employers.

In her first 24 months at the college, she led a comprehensive digital transformation programme, delivering AI training for hundreds of staff, launching AI academies, modernising digital learning environments and strengthening online learning, library services and learning resources.

Deb said: “I’m touched, humbled and grateful to receive this honour.

“To be recognised for doing what I love most - helping people feel confident with technology - is genuinely so rewarding.

“I never get tired of that moment when someone’s eyes light up and they get it. When technology becomes empowering instead of intimidating - that’s what keeps me going.

“On both a personal and professional level, this honour means the world to me because it reflects what the right environment can do for someone. When you’re placed in the right setting and given encouragement, support and space to grow, you truly thrive.

“Hull College has allowed me to be completely myself, without hiding any part of who I am, and that authenticity has helped shape me into the leader I am today.

“I’m incredibly grateful to all my colleagues, past and present, who have supported me along the way and made this recognition possible.

“It’s a genuine privilege to work in the further education sector alongside so many dedicated people who give so much to support the thousands of young people and adults whose lives are changed through the opportunities colleges provide within their communities.”

Meanwhile, Hull City Council’s destination Hull manager Anthony Yates has been made an OBE for his services to tourism.

He has been part of the Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) team since 2007.

Anthony said: “I am delighted and completely overwhelmed to have received this recognition.

“My 35-year career in tourism has taught me so much, and is a continued passion that has never faltered.

“I would like to extend this honour to all the incredible teams I have worked with over the years, and in particular the staff within Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, whose dedication to the promotion of the region is un-matched.”

Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Mike Ross, said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to Anthony, who works tirelessly to promote our city and region to the rest of the world.

“This award is incredibly fitting for a man who has dedicated his entire career and given so much to the tourism industry in the UK.”

Chair of VHEY, Chris Blacksell, added: “The work Anthony has done for Hull and East Yorkshire shows in how the region’s tourism industry now flourishes.

“Congratulations Anthony - really well deserved!”