Breadcrumb Trail
Queen honours two Trafford leaders
Two Trafford people have been honoured in the Queen's birthday honours.
Trafford College principal Bill Moorcroft has been awarded a Knighthood and tireless campaigner for disabled people's rights Lorraine Gradwell has been awarded an MBE.
Head of the newly-merged Trafford College, Bill Moorcroft has been honoured for his services to local and national further education. He has been commended for merging two institutions, North and South Trafford colleges, into Trafford College.
Having worked at the former South Trafford College since 1994, he was appointed principal in 2003, transforming the college into the first FE college to be assessed as 'outstanding' by OFSTED. He was announced as principal of the newly merged Trafford College in September 2007.
Bill Moorcroft said: "I'm absolutely thrilled, delighted and privileged to have received this tremendous honour. I would like to thank my students, staff and colleagues within the sector for all their support over the years.
"Whilst I'm extremely proud, this honour is also recognition of what we've achieved as a college and also the sector as a whole."
Lorraine Gradwell, who has been disabled since childhood, was one of the founder members of Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People and went on to work for Manchester City Council.
From 1995 to 1997 she worked in partnership with the council to create a unique organisation, led and controlled by disabled people, which would deliver employment services across the city. The resulting organisation, Breakthrough UK, became an independent social enterprise based in Ardwick, Manchester.
Over the past 10 years, Lorraine has been the company's chief executive. Under her leadership, the organisation has supported and worked with over 5000 disabled people.
Active on the Manchester Board and Trafford Disability Partnership, she is also a member of the Disability Employment Advisory Committee at the Department for Work and Pensions.
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