Age 16-18
Gerry McDonald CBE, Group Principal and CEO of New City College, officially received his honour during an Investiture at Windsor Castle last week.
The CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) was announced in the New Year Honours 2025, recognising Gerry’s services to further education.
He attended the Investiture at Windsor Castle on April 16, where he received his award from HRH The Princess Royal.
Gerry said: “I am deeply humbled to have received this honour and I am grateful for the recognition it brings for the further education sector.”
A longstanding, influential leader in further education, Gerry is a constant and proactive advocate for the wider skills sector, regionally and nationally.
He has driven the growth and success of New City College from the initial merger of Tower Hamlets and Hackney colleges in 2016, to what is now an influential multi-campus group, attracting around 20,000 students each year across the East London and Essex regions.
Gerry’s determined commitment to the quality of teaching and learning has led to significant improvements in student outcomes in the colleges which have successively merged to become part of NCC.
Holding key board positions at the Education & Training Foundation, the Association of Colleges and the Greater London Authority, as well as the FE Commissioner’s advisory group, Gerry is a firm ambassador for the further education and skills sector. Alongside all this, Gerry continues to teach at New City College – making sure that strategy is always focused on benefiting students in the classroom.
Gerry never forgets that his and his team’s actions are central to the lives and aspirations of the communities he serves.
