The principal of an Islington college has been knighted in the Queen’s birthday honours for his services to further education.

Sir Frank McLoughlin has been at the helm of City and Islington College (Candi) since 2002 and is a member of the London Councils Young People’s Education and Skills Board as well as the London First Employment and Skills Steering Group.

Sir Frank, who took A-levels through night classes before going on to study politics at Leeds University, has helped pave the way for schemes encouraging people from all backgrounds to the have access to skills and knowledge they require.

Candi, which has schools in Holloway, Islington and Finsbury Park, has a track record of helping youngsters from turbulent backgrounds achieve impressive exam results.

“I am absolutely delighted that my contribution to further education has been acknowledged in this way,” said Sir Frank, 59.

“Receiving this honour is, most importantly, further recognition of the work City and Islington College undertakes to enable young people and adults to learn, thrive and succeed.

“Over its 22-year history the college has transformed thousands of lives by creating fantastic opportunities for further education in London.

“I have been principal for 13 of those 22 years and I couldn’t be more proud of our staff and our students.”

An honorary fellow of City University and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Sir Frank was awarded a CBE in 2009.

He said: “I believe the honour also recognises the wider impact of the Commission on Adult Vocational Teaching and Learning, which I chaired in 2013, and the critical importance of the further education sector as a whole.

“I stand by what I said in the foreword to the commission’s final report: We must ensure that our skills system produces a home-grown pipeline of skilled individuals, who can design, develop and deliver the sophisticated technology and high quality products and services which will enable the UK to compete at the highest level.

“Such productive work helps build identity and self-esteem, and promotes the wellbeing of communities.”