Former Chief Executive and Principal of Sparsholt College, Tim Jackson, has been honoured with an OBE to start the new year! 

With Tim’s career spanning 22 years as Principal and Chief Executive of Sparsholt College Group, 34 years at Sparsholt College and 38 in Further Education in total, the news of an OBE honour is a fantastic recognition of his dedication to improving the lives of countless students through his time in education. 

Tim has received many plaudits for his dedication and innovation in land-based education and was presented by Winchester City Council with the Millennium Egg in 2013 in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the economy of the Winchester District and was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Education Award at the Hampshire Education Awards 2019.  

Commenting on this recognition, Tim said: “I am delighted to receive this honour. Further education colleges like Sparsholt and Andover are so important to the 16-19 phase, especially in the transition to a professional working life and to degree level university study such as at University Centre Sparsholt.” 

“However, FE colleges are also pivotal to much professional learning for those in their careers to ensure they are up to date and ahead of the curve in securing promotion or new positions. I have been privileged to have been immersed in this FE world and continue to do so through working for the Department for Education and serving as a college governor.” 

Alongside his career at Sparsholt College Group, Tim is also the founding Chairman and a previous Board member of Landex (Land Based Colleges and Universities Aspiring to Excellence), the Chairman of the Hampshire Principals’ Group and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and past President of the New Forest Show. Tim has also been a Board member of the EM3 LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership). 

Current CEO and Principal of Sparsholt College Group, Julie Milburn, has congratulated Tim this honour, stating “The staff, students and governors of Sparsholt College Group are delighted that Tim’s dedication to both this college and the wider Further Education sector has been acknowledged in this way, a very worthy recipient of such an honour”.  

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service.