Craig Dean

Craig’s ultimate goal has always been a simple one. Whether during his time in Africa or closer to home, helping to bring tech education to young people by facilitating code clubs and workshops, empowering others to achieve their goals, and positively impacting his community have remained his foremost passions.

Educated in Oldham and a Cambridge graduate, Craig travelled extensively before returning to our town and becoming the Chief Executive of Web Applications UK, a significant local employer and multi-award-winning, values-led business. The company was shaped by Craig’s ethos and passion, with a clear mission that places a positive impact at the heart of everything it does.

Retiring in 2020 to focus on a wide range of voluntary roles, Craig continues to work tirelessly to help others, particularly in education with governance roles at a local and national level. He serves on the Board of Directors for Oasis Community Learning, a trust with over 50 academies throughout the UK. His contributions to Oldham were acknowledged when he won Businessman of the Year before becoming the youngest ever recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Oldham Business Awards.

Being Autistic himself, Craig is committed to supporting OCLL to be inclusive, and supportive, of our entire, diverse community.

A regular user of OCLL’s facilities, Craig still lives in Chadderton and is actively engaged in youth work. Daily, he walks around the many beautiful parts of Oldham, occasionally accompanied by his wife Vivienne and Labradors Bea and Bo.