Alun Francis OBE is Chief Executive of B&FC Group and a leading voice on further education, lifelong learning and social mobility.

He joined Blackpool and The Fylde College in 2023 after 13 years as Principal and Chief Executive of Oldham College.

Alun’s earlier career encompassed local government, public services, regeneration, youth work and education, giving him extensive experience of the relationship between education, employment, economic development and place.

At B&FC Group, he is leading work to expand high-quality technical and higher education and develop more flexible learning opportunities for people throughout their lives. This includes Multiversity, a new education campus and delivery model at the heart of Blackpool’s regeneration plans.

Alun was Chair of the Social Mobility Commission from 2023 to 2026, having previously served as Deputy Chair and Interim Chair. In these roles, he helped shape the organisation’s work on understanding the causes of regional disparities and widening access to opportunity across the UK.

Alun was appointed OBE for services to education in the 2021 New Year Honours.