Founder of County Durham learning trust awarded damehood in honours

Recognition for her services to education in the King’s 2025 Birthday Honours List is testament to Lesley Powell CBE’s career of almost 40 years dedicated to teaching.

As founder and chief executive officer of the trust, she has led the rapid transformation of numerous underperforming schools across the region, where Peterlee-based NELT is now recognised nationally as a leading model for school improvement.

A lifelong advocate for equality of opportunity, Dame Lesley has worked with schools in some of the most deprived areas of the country to improve children’s life chances.
Her expertise is also recognised beyond the region where she actively contributes to national educational policy development.

Among others, the bodies she has contributed to include the National Secondary Heads Reference Group, National, Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy Group, Head Teacher Standards Review Group, and the NPQ Expert Advisory Group.

Speaking about the latest royal recognition, Dame Lesley said: “I am delighted to have received this honour and especially thankful to the many people who made my nomination possible.

“I am incredibly grateful to be surrounded by a dedicated team of exceptional educators who work tirelessly to give the children of the region the best possible start in life.

“This honour is recognition of the passion we all share to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to an excellent education, and is testament to the positive change we have collectively made for the children of the North East.”

(Image: The Northern Echo) Maggie Saxton, chair of trustees at NELT, said: “Lesley’s unwavering commitment to equality of opportunity is matched only by her work ethic.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Read next … more education stories reported in The Northern Echo by clicking here

Teesdale School to join North East Learning Trust

County Durham based ALP) education trust gets UK accolade

King’s Birthday Honours 2025: All North East people awarded

“She has tenaciously pursued excellence for the region’s children.

“She is a talented, visionary and compassionate leader who is an asset to the North East and the wider UK education sector.

“Her Damehood is thoroughly well deserved and we are all delighted she has been recognised with this award.”