Education Partnership North East Chief Executive Ellen Thinnesen has been appointed Chair to the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Skills Advisory Panel.
Ellen will lead the Panel, which includes representatives North East LEP, the North East Combined Authority and North of Tyne Combined Authority as well as universities, colleges and local businesses, as it supports the drive to improve skills in the North East workforce.
Beginning her career as a qualified nurse, Ellen has previously held high-profile positions within the education sector in Manchester and the Yorkshire and Humber regions.
In her previous role as Principal and Chief Executive of Sunderland College, her ambitious vision led the college through two highly successful mergers.
She has held numerous board positions in the education and not-for-profit sectors within the North East and beyond and continues to contribute nationally to influence education policy and reform.
Ellen Thinnesen, said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Chair of the Skills Advisory Panel. I look forward to working with the other panel members to continue to support the LEP to ensure we have a thriving skills system which meets the current and future needs of employers and drives the goal of creating more and better jobs for our region.”
Michelle Rainbow, Skills Director at the North East LEP, said: “Improving skills in the North East workforce is fundamental to our economic future, especially now as we adapt to the significant challenges presented by COVID-19.
“Ellen is an inspiring leader who is truly passionate about making a difference and raising aspirations in the North East. We are delighted to welcome her as Chair of the Skills Advisory Panel.”
The work of the Skills Advisory Panel will feed directly into the development and delivery of the North East Local Industrial Strategy.
Sunderland College, as part of college group EPNE, receives an Outstanding rating across the board in its latest Ofsted inspection.
November 26, 2024
Sunderland College appoints Rebecca Storey as first Regional Construction Skills Director for new North East Construction Technical Excellence College
February 12, 2026
A new Adult Skills Programme launches at Sunderland College, part of a £1 million North East Combined Authority investment.
January 16, 2026
98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
