Cheviot Learning Trust CEO Alice Witherow Awarded OBE in King's Birthday Honours

Cheviot Learning Trust is delighted to announce that our Chief Executive Officer, Alice Witherow, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in His Majesty The King's Birthday Honours List, in recognition of her services to education.

The honour marks a career spanning more than three decades, during which Alice has worked to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for children and young people across the North East. Since beginning her career in education in 1992, she has served as a teacher, senior leader, Headteacher and Chief Executive Officer, helping schools and communities to thrive through collaboration and shared expertise.

Before helping to establish Cheviot Learning Trust through the merger of Tyne Community Learning Trust and Three Rivers Learning Trust in 2023, Alice served as Chief Executive Officer of Tyne Community Learning Trust. Throughout her career, she has championed partnership working between schools and has been a respected voice across the education sector regionally and nationally.

As CEO of Cheviot Learning Trust, Alice has played a key role in shaping a strong and ambitious organisation serving thousands of pupils across Northumberland. Her leadership has focused on ensuring that children and young people receive the highest quality education while supporting the development of staff and strengthening collaboration between schools.

Ben Cole, Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees, said:

"It is wonderful to see Alice recognised in this way. She has made a significant contribution to education, not only through the leadership of schools and trusts, but through her commitment to bringing people together to achieve more for children and young people.

This honour provides a fitting opportunity to celebrate everything she has achieved and the positive impact she has had on so many people."

Steven Duckworth, Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees, said:

"Alice has led with integrity, purpose and a genuine belief in the power of education to transform lives. Her influence can be seen across our schools, our communities and the wider education sector.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to offer our warmest congratulations and thank Alice for the leadership, wisdom and dedication she has brought to Cheviot Learning Trust and to education more widely."

Reflecting on the award, Alice said she felt deeply honoured and humbled to receive the recognition. She was keen to acknowledge the many colleagues, governors, trustees and partners she has worked alongside throughout her career, recognising that educational success is always the result of collective effort. 

Everyone across Cheviot Learning Trust extends their sincere congratulations to Alice on this well-deserved honour. We are immensely proud to see her contribution to education recognised at a national level.