Buckingham Palace honour
From apprentice joiner to Buckingham Palace honour. A former apprentice joiner who has climbed to Managing Director level has been award a Highly Commended Certificate as part of the Prince Philip Medal selection Process” It is with great pride, and slight reluctance on Gary’s part, that I share this fantastic achievement with you. On Wednesday 27th May 2009, Gary and his wife Belinda travelled to Buckingham Palace, where His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh presented the honour to Gary in recognition of his outstanding contribution to construction and his passion for the Industry
Gary was nominated for this prestigious award by Matt Roberts. “I’ve known Gary for over 17yrs and during this time I’ve always associated him with being a bench joiner with ambition. Over the years he has never lost the principles of craftsmanship and quality learnt through the City and Guilds training. Making him a perfect nominee for this award” The Prince Philip Medal is the personal gift of City & Guilds President HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and is awarded to people who have displayed outstanding individual achievement in the areas of science, technology and industrial development, or have demonstrated exceptional proficiency in workplace skills.
The special feature of the Prince Philip Medal is that it is awarded to exceptional individuals who, starting at the bottom of the career ladder, have reached highly responsible management positions.
People who have been awarded the Prince Philip Medal hold senior appointments in a wide variety of industries, public services and academic organisations, but all holders have one thing in common – they have all been helped on their way to the positions they now occupy by City & Guilds certificates. Indeed, the award is restricted to those who, in Prince Philip’s words, have ‘travelled the City & Guilds path’, beginning or furthering their career with City & Guilds qualifications.
On receiving his certificate from The Duke of Edinburgh, Gary said: “To have been awarded the Highly Commended Certificate is both an honour and a privilege. To be recognised for doing something I am truly passionate about within an industry that is full of innovative and inspiring individuals is a humbling and overwhelming experience. I am very, very proud of this achievement and I thank the City and Guilds for providing individuals the opportunity of a brighter future, just as they did for me”
Chris Jones, Director-General of City & Guilds, commented at the ceremony: ‘We are here to celebrate outstanding individuals who have used the City & Guilds path to make their ambition a reality. These achievements are more important than ever during a recession when innovation and diversification of skills are needed the most.’
