BRINGING children businesses and charities together has seen a staff member at Balsall Common Primary School honoured with a British Empire Medal.
Howard Rose was handed his accolade for services to education at a special ceremony in Birmingham by the West Midlands Lord-Lieutenant, John Crabtree OBE.
The Coventry resident said: “I feel so privileged to have been given this award and for Central Schools Trust for giving me the opportunity.
“I came late into Education but I have loved the challenge of shaping this new role and seeing what positive impact it has had on the children.
“I get immense job satisfaction and so to be recognised and honoured for this is incredible.”
Since joining the school in 2012 as a director of funding and publicity Howard has arranged for businesses like Jaguar Land Rover and Monarch Airlines to give pupils a look behind the scenes at work.
He has also teamed up with charities including Age UK Solihull and encouraged the children with £5 in their pocket to come up with money-making ideas to raise funds for the elderly in the borough.
The British Empire Medal is awarded to people who have shown passion and dedication that has made a real difference to the communities where they live.
The Lord-Lieutenant said; “Howard has shown dedicated community spirit and achieved enormous success in supporting Balsall Common School.
“The world is a better place with people like Howard and we are keen to encourage more nominations across the West Midlands from the public to award often the unsung heroes.”
Howard has also been crowned the winner of the Solihull Observer and Marriott Forest of Arden Six of the Best Business Person Awards for his work.
Prior to joining the school Howard had spent twenty years working first in finance as a mortgage advisor and manager and later as a freelance property developer.
Anyone can put forward suggestions and information is available online at www.wmlieutenancy.org or by calling 0121 222 5040.
