Posted: 23/11/11
MBE pride for college chair of governors
The college's chair of governors has spoken of her pride at receiving her MBE from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales.
Jean Hardy was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours earlier this year for her services to education.
It was in recognition of her 20 years’ service as a governor of the college, with the last 15 years spent as chair.
And last Friday (18 November) she was presented with the honour by Prince Charles at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
It was the second time Mrs Hardy had met Prince Charles, following his visit to the college’s Construction and Logistics Skills Academy in Kirkby-in-Ashfield in 2009.
Speaking immediately after the event, Mrs Hardy said: “The investiture ceremony was a fantastic experience and everyone at the Palace was so gracious. Everything runs like clockwork and you’re made to feel very special.
“It was truly a memorable day and I feel very honoured to have been made an MBE.
“His Royal Highness remembered his visit to the college in 2009 and said he was pleased that I had been recognised for my work as chair of governors over the last 15 years.”
Mrs Hardy, from Little Carlton, near Newark, joined the college’s board of governors in 1992 and was appointed chair in 1996. The college has enjoyed unprecedented success during her chairmanship and is now regarded as one of the top further education institutions in the country.
In 2008 it was graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and the following year was awarded Beacon College status. The college has a £50m turnover, is inside the top 10% of colleges in England for its success rates and is one of the country’s largest providers of apprenticeships.
Mrs Hardy has worked in the health sector for 40 years, which has included ten years at board level as a senior HR professional. She currently works as an interim HR executive with NHS trusts and private sector organisations across the country.
