Inspire Education Group announce new Chief Financial Officer
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Inspire Education Group (IEG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Owen, who will join the Group as Chief Financial Officer from January 2026.
Alex succeeds Louise Perry, who will retire in April following a distinguished career in finance and a lasting contribution to the Group’s success. Her work has ensured that Inspire Education Group is well positioned for continued growth, innovation and sustainability — a legacy that will underpin the next exciting chapter in the Group’s journey.
Alex joins IEG from Loughborough University, where she served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Lead for Strategic Commercial Development. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW) and holder of the Business Finance Professional (BFP) certification, Alex has over two decades of experience leading finance and governance functions across the higher education, charity, and commercial sectors.
Her leadership roles have included senior positions with St Andrews Healthcare, United Learning, and Remploy/Maximus UK, alongside non-executive roles supporting governance and audit in the education and adjacent sectors.
Speaking about what attracted her to IEG, Alex Owen said:
“During my career, I have worked in many different sectors, including education, psychiatric inpatient care, and employment support. I have been lucky enough to be able to choose sectors where I can use my experience and expertise to support people rather than solely generate shareholder wealth, and I see this amazing opportunity as the CFO of the Inspire Education Group to be another where I can bring all that I have learned to the benefit of the college, its students, staff and local community.”
With a strong belief in using finance as a force for positive social impact, Alex’s appointment strengthens IEG’s capacity to deliver on its Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Exceptional Strategy — driving innovation, sustainability, and growth across its colleges and university centre.
IEG also thanks Louise Perry for her outstanding service and wishes her every happiness in retirement.
Louise played an instrumental role in overseeing the merger between Peterborough Regional College, University Centre Peterborough and New College Stamford in 2020, which led to the formation of IEG and managed the financial growth over the past five years. During her tenure, Louise’s leadership has been pivotal in securing significant capital investment to enhance facilities and create new opportunities for learners, including the investment of £13.7m for the Centre for Green Technology at Peterborough College, the extension at Borderville and the Modern Methods of Construction Centre at Stamford College.
From left to right: Andrew Pakes, Chi Onwurah, Rachel Nicholls and Louise Perry at Peterborough College's International Women's Day Celebration in 2024.
Rachel Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer at IEG, said:
“Louise’s contribution to IEG has been outstanding. Her financial leadership has supported the transformation of our Group, delivering major capital projects and ensuring a sustainable foundation for growth. We are incredibly grateful for her dedication and wish her every happiness in her retirement. We are equally delighted to welcome Alex, whose extensive experience and values-led approach will be instrumental as we continue to deliver our strategic ambitions.”
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