Michele Sutton became Principal and Chief Executive of Bradford College in August 2004. For the previous five years she was Principal and Chief Executive of Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale and prior to that was Vice-Principal of City College, Manchester and Handsworth College (now City College Birmingham). Whilst working in Rochdale she was also a Council Member for the Greater Manchester Learning & Skills Council. Michele joined further education as a lecturer in Business Studies in 1980 after 11 years in industry including textiles, printing and sports marketing. Michele is passionate about the value that further education colleges bring both to individuals and the communities, towns and cities in which they are located, including Birmingham, Manchester and Rochdale. In July 2009 Michele was awarded the OBE for services to further education and community relations.