Alison Birkinshaw was educated at Lady Manners School, Bakewell, and studied Music and English at Hull University. She then achieved an MPhil by thesis in Shakespeare's Use of Music and PhD in 20th Century Music, also at Hull. Alison gained an LTCL qualification in the Bassoon from Trinity College of Music and a PGCE from Durham University.

Alison joined Nelson and Colne College in 1984 and progressed to Section Leader in Music and Head of Creative Arts before moving to Runshaw College, Leyland, as Assistant, then Deputy Principal.

In 2004 she returned to Nelson and Colne as Principal and the College was judged ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2005, becoming a Beacon College in 2006.

Alison chairs the National FE Reputation Steering Group and is a member of a number of AoC Quality and Skills Committees.

Alison became Principal of York College in January 2008.
number of Association of Colleges Quality and Skills Committees.

Alison became Principal of York College on 1st January 2008.