On Thursday 12th June, Milton Keynes College Group’s Director of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Maria Bowness, won a Women Leaders Award in the “Skills, Education and Training” category. The ceremony took place at Hilton DoubleTree at Stadium MK, with over 40 finalists in attendance.

Women Leaders is a registered charity established to recognise outstanding women, promote and strengthen women’s leadership, and support gender equality and diversity. Its awards celebrate women leaders around Milton Keynes, recognising their work in their respective sectors as well as their work on gender advocacy.

With over 30 years of experience in Skills, Education and Training, Maria currently serves as the Group Director for Curriculum and Pedagogy at Milton Keynes College Group.

Her role spans a wide range of responsibilities across the College Group. From ensuring that our curricula are both comprehensive and exciting to being the driving force behind most of our biggest employer partnerships, Maria’s work has been essential in transforming the Group’s goals into actions, partnerships and success stories.

Some examples of her work at Milton Keynes College Group include: the development of the College’s Skills Academy, which has improved student retention and enrolment; the curriculum design of our A Level programme, launched in September 2024; maintaining a strong partnership with Silverstone to enable our Catering and Hospitality students to gain valuable on-site work experience; facilitating the ‘Cut It Out’ campaign for Hairdressing and Beauty students in partnership with Thames Valley Police; and securing £105,000 in funding from the British Council’s Turing Scheme, which enabled 36 Beauty and Catering students to travel to Thailand on a learning trip in February 2025.

Sally Alexander, CEO and Principal of Milton Keynes College, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news – this award is a testament to Maria’s vision, dedication and the incredibly positive influence she’s had on our colleagues and students alike. Maria has always gone above and beyond to create meaningful and life-changing learning experiences for our students, whether in the classroom, with our employer partners or beyond.

“I am delighted that she has been recognised as an influential woman leader because this is truly what she is.”

Maria Bowness said: “I am proud and humbled to have won the category for Skills, Education and Training. To be nominated was an honour, to become a finalist was a wonderful surprise, to win was absolutely unbelievable.

“A truly inspirational evening spent with so many amazing Women Leaders, who work tirelessly to make a difference. I am blessed to have worked with amazing Women Leaders who have driven my passion to transform lives through learning.”

To learn more about Women Leaders Awards, read more here.