John Evans, a dedicated educator from Bridgwater, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Honours List, marking a remarkable 39-year career devoted to advancing education across the South West. At 63, John’s journey from an apprentice in the motor trade to an influential principal embodies his belief that “further education is all about second and third chances.”
Starting his teaching career at Bridgwater College, now Bridgwater and Taunton College, John later taught in Swindon and Yeovil before joining the Cornwall College Group (CCG) in 2019. When he took on the role of Principal, CCG faced significant financial challenges, described internally as “massively in debt.” Through John’s leadership, the college experienced a profound turnaround.
Earlier this year, Cornwall College Group earned an “Outstanding” rating from Ofsted in all evaluation categories—an exceptional achievement. Inspectors highlighted the high value learners and apprentices place on the “excellent experiences” they receive, which support their personal growth and skill development. Specially noted were community engagement projects, such as assisting local food banks, and inspiring work placements that extend beyond the UK to hospitality roles in Spain and Portugal.
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John credits the college’s revival to collective effort, stating, “The things I have achieved no one person could do alone.” Despite his regional work, John has remained rooted in Bridgwater, balancing a fulfilling family life as a father of five and grandfather of two.
Receiving the OBE brought John immense joy—and some secrecy. “You get the letter and you’re not allowed to say anything for six weeks. It was hard. You deal with people all day every day and you’re not allowed to say anything,” he shared.
Though honoured, John feels a pang of sadness that his late mother, who passed 18 months ago, was not alive to witness him and his sister both receive OBEs for their services—his sister honoured for her contributions to health. Looking back, John reflects with pride on his lifelong commitment to education while emphasizing that his dedication was always about serving communities rather than personal accolades.