Empowering Through Education: An Interview with Fiona Morey OBE on International Women’s Day

This International Women’s Day, we are delighted to speak with Fiona Morey, Chair of Trustees at Laser Learning Awards (LASER) and Principal of South Bank Colleges - part of the LSBU Group. Fiona has recently been awarded an OBE in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Further Education (FE) sector, particularly in supporting lifelong learning and creating transformative opportunities. Here, she shares insights into her journey, the impact of education, and her vision for the future.

Congratulations on your OBE! What was your initial reaction upon receiving this honour, and what does it mean to you personally and professionally?

I was very surprised and blown away – it wasn’t something I had ever imagined happening to me. I was quite shocked and disbelieving, but I have gradually got used to the idea.

More than anything, I see it as a fantastic recognition of the Further Education sector, which I am deeply committed to. It’s important that FE, which can sometimes be invisible or overlooked, is acknowledged and recognised in this way. I also feel this honour belongs to all staff at South Bank Colleges — it’s a collective achievement.

Could you share a bit about your journey? What inspired you to commit your career to Further Education and lifelong learning?

I’d say I am “Further Education born and bred”. My life was transformed when my mother, as a mature student, took an Access course at her local FE college. There’s a saying—"If you educate a woman, you educate a family"—and that was certainly true for us. I was in my mid-teens at that point, and so her discovering education had a huge impact on my family and me.

I had never really enjoyed school very much. We'd moved around a lot, and I'd been to lots of different schools. I was a free school meals child. But when I went to an FE college at 16, everything changed for me. That was when I really started to enjoy learning, and I guess it set me on my path.

Who were your role models or influences that shaped your philosophy on education? It sounds like your mother’s journey had a huge impact on you. Is that right?

Very much so. She was truly inspirational in that way. Not only did she pursue education later in life, but once she became a lecturer, she also became an Access course tutor, focusing on supporting women into education. She was deeply committed to ensuring others had the same opportunities she had.

Another key influencer was my amazing drama teacher, Caroline. I benefitted from the Co-op Society’s funding for free school meal children which enabled me to have speech and drama lessons. This was a key moment for me because it gave me exposure to creative arts and to drama and enabled me to find my passion. Both of those things were really critical: my drama teacher and that funding – as a free school meals child – that enabled me to have speech and drama lessons and opened a whole new world of engagement in the creative arts. This led me to study film and drama at university and eventually guided me into a career as a lecturer in FE.

Is there a particular project or moment of your career that stands out as especially meaningful? 

I never imagined that I would become a college principal. I’m incredibly proud of the work we’re doing at South Bank Colleges as part of the London South Bank University (LSBU) Group. The work that we're doing is very innovative in relation to tertiary education. We bring together Further Education, Higher Education and the Academy Sector. Our mission is about removing barriers and ensuring access to education, to lifelong education. This aligns closely with LASER’s work, making education accessible and transformative. My personal journey with my mother’s education has shown me firsthand how life-changing learning can be, but I see that impact every single day across the LSBU Group and in the work that LASER does.

Your work emphasizes lifelong learning. Why do you believe this is so important? 

Research shows that if people get qualified to level four and if they go to university, their socio-economic prosperity is greatly enhanced. The more people can access these qualifications, the better their career prospects and life opportunities. That's hugely beneficial to them as an individual but it's also beneficial to the country and to the places that people are living and working.

From your experience, what are the biggest barriers to education for adults returning to learning, and how can institutions better support them?

We have to acknowledge that there are systemic barriers in society that make accessing education challenging. The role of education is to challenge those barriers, to provide access, and to remove those barriers that can stop people engaging in education. It's our responsibility to ensure that we have gateways into education at all stages in life regardless of background or experience. There should really be no barrier to ambition and pathways to opportunity. We have a duty to identify where those barriers may be and to address them and to build environments that are inclusive and welcoming to all. Creating learning spaces where people have a sense of belonging and entitlement.

You play a key role as Chair of Trustees at LASER. Why do you think that LASER’s work is important?

LASER embodies everything we stand for in terms of access to opportunity. Its Access courses help people progress into university, apprenticeships, and Level 4 qualifications. Part of my commitment to the work LASER does is due to the life-changing impact of Access courses that I experienced firsthand through my mother’s journey. But equally, qualifications that LASER also provides in areas like the security sector and special educational needs create crucial stepping stones for learners at all levels. Every achievement, no matter how big or small, can be life-changing. 

As a leader in Further Education, how do you inspire others to share in your vision of equal opportunities?

Leaders in education have a moral duty to recognise and address underrepresentation and inequality. I have benefited from initiatives that support women into leadership, and we must continue to challenge areas where people are underserved. There has been huge progress, particularly for women, but we still have work to do in areas like race and ethnicity in education leadership. It’s about fostering an inclusive culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of?

I am beyond proud of the work of the LSBU Group - we have built a brand new technical College, we have a fantastic Gateway College and a new technical sixth form and academy offer at South Bank University Academy. Across the group we have the most committed, hard-working teams whose values are focused on access to opportunity for our students. Our commitment is reflected in our Times Higher Education ranking: as part of the LSBU group, we were ranked third for reducing inequalities in education. I can’t imagine working anywhere that doesn’t have these values at its core.

What has your experience been as a woman in education and leadership?

While progress has been made for women, we still have a long way to go in achieving true representation and safe spaces where women thrive. There is also much more to do especially the significant underrepresentation of people from global majority backgrounds in leadership roles in FE. There is still a long way to go.

What’s next for you after this incredible milestone? Are there any projects or goals you’re particularly excited about?

Continue to push for education for all - for funding, for access and for making sure that people feel welcome in education at all stages of life. 

This International Women’s Day, what message would you like to share with women working in education and leadership?

There are so many fabulous, inspirational women in every aspect of education and lifelong learning, and they go above and beyond every day. The commitment, energy and passion that women in the sector have is truly inspirational and I hope they continue to lead, innovate, and uplift others.

Finally, what advice would you give to young women aspiring to make a difference in education and lifelong learning?

My advice would be to absolutely reach out and grab every opportunity that you can. Don't hold back. Make sure that you access those opportunities that you are entitled to.