Cumbria school leader appointed OBE

Lorrayne Hughes has led Cumbria Education Trust since it was created in 2015

The leader of Cumbria's largest multi-academy trust has been appointed OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Lorrayne Hughes, chief executive of Cumbria Education Trust (CET), has been honoured for services to education.

She said she was "delighted" with the award and added it was a "great acknowledgement" of what had been achieved at the trust.

CET’s Chair George Beveridge described the honour as "richly deserved".

He added: "Her motivation is always to think about young people and how we can improve their education, life experiences and opportunities."

Ms Hughes, from Carlisle, has led the trust, which includes 10 primary and three secondary schools, as well as West Coast Sixth Form, since 2015.

"It has been my honour to serve so many fantastic young people and to raise the quality of education working alongside some of the most dedicated, hardworking and loyal colleagues you could possibly wish for," she said.

"This is a tribute to the family that is Cumbria Education Trust."

Other Cumbrians appointed OBE in the King's Birthday Honours include Professor Brian James Webster-Henderson, from Penrith, who was recognised for services to the NHS and education, and Humphrey Giles, from Carlisle, for services to heritage in the North of England.