Lucy Meacock, long-serving host of ITV’s Granada Reports, has been lined up tol present the 12th Education North Awards at Lancashire Cricket Ground.
The awards, which will be held at The Point on Thursday, May 7 2026, celebrate the achievements of the north’s university and higher education sectors, alongside the advancements and success of FE colleges and sixth forms from the east to west coast.
On the night, the names of three winners – nominated by listeners of Smooth and Heart across the north – will also be unveiled for their outstanding work supporting pupils and students across the region. The stations reach 2 million listeners across the area.
Emeritus Professor Ruth Ashford, Deputy Head Judge of the awards, said: “This year’s entries into the ENAs are breathtaking. 2025 set a high bar for the quality and sheer excellence on display but 2026 promises to be even more of a challenge for our judges drawn from across the north and the country.
“We have enjoyed a huge 31% increase in entries from last year and the quality goes from strength to strength despite the sector facing increasing demands and pressures.
“We are therefore delighted to welcome Lucy as our host because she not only knows and lives in the north but in her other role as Chancellor of Salford University, she knows the pressures facing the people who deliver such brilliance in a period of growing uncertainty.”
Lucy began her broadcasting career with BBC Radio in Newcastle, followed by Tyne Tees TV in Newcastle, before being headhunted by the BBC in London. She later joined the BAFTA-winning ‘Granada Reports’ team in the late 1980s, where she hosted news, debates and live daytime programmes such as ‘This Morning’ for the network and also read bulletins for ITN and ITV News.
She said: “These awards have grown and grown since their inception in 2015 and are a real measure of commitment, professionalism and often, moving stories of great breakthroughs and determination.
“I will be putting my Salford loyalty to one side and join the audience of academics, students and the wider business and social community to salute the achievements of these superb finalists at a time when education is hardly ever out of the news.”
Tickets for the event are on sale now at www.educationnorthawards.com.
Patrons include John Kennedy CBE, University of Manchester, Liverpool Hope University and Liverpool John Moores University. Sponsors include CCUK, owner of Smooth NW, Smooth NE and Heart Yorkshire, Mindful Education and IT Capital. RM Communications stages the event, and the judging panels are led by Emeritus Professor Phil Harris and Emeritus Professor Ruth Ashford.
