A former chairman of governors at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds described receiving his MBE from Prince William at Buckingham Palace as “a very special day”.
Richard Carter, 63, was a governor at the college for 16 years, spending six years as chairman, and was awarded the MBE for services to education in the 2018 New Year’s Honours.
He retired from the college’s governing body in July last year.
At the recent investiture, Mr Carter rubbed shoulders with celebrities such as former Beatle Ringo Starr, who received his knighthood, authors Jilly Cooper and Michael Morpurgo, as well as many others who were honoured for their work with children and their communities.
Mr Carter, who attended the palace with wife Jill and family friends, said: “It was a very special day.
“We were made very welcome and I had what seemed like a long conversation with Prince William as he presented me with my MBE medal in the ballroom of the palace.
“I was able to tell him something about the excellent work West Suffolk College does with the Prince’s Trust, his father’s charity that does so much to help young people who need extra help and support on their way in early adulthood.
“I hope my colleagues will see my receiving the honour as being as much about the important work that the college does as well as marking my contribution to it.”
Nikos Savvas, principal, paid tribute to Mr Carter, saying he has been a “brilliant ambassador” for the college.
“We are delighted that Richard has been honoured in this way,” he said.
“He has been an excellent governor and chair of governors, always putting students at the heart of all decisions made and taking the college forward.
“He has also been a brilliant ambassador for West Suffolk College promoting it as an outstanding college to everyone in Suffolk and beyond.”
Mr Carter is also chairman of the members of The Suffolk Academies Trust, which aims to open the Abbeygate Sixth Form College on the site of King Edward VI School in September 2019.
He is also a member of SENDAT (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Academy Trust), which is sponsored by West Suffolk College and Priory School Special Academy.
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