Grimsby Institute Chief Exec receives OBE

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Grimsby Institute Chief Executive Gill Alton visited Buckingham Palace to receive her OBE.

Gill, who is head of the TEC Partnership, formerly Grimsby Institute Group, was awarded the honour on November 8 for services to education by HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.

She was joined by the likes of Dame Emma Thompson at the special ceremony, which took place five months after the news of her OBE was first announced.

Gill’s award was made in recognition of her unwavering commitment to further education and for her achievements in ensuring further and higher education in Grimsby, Scarborough and Rotherham played a major part in the development of hundreds of young people and adults. 

It also recognises the focus that Gill has had on engaging the business community to support further and higher education. 

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Gill started as a Lecturer in 1984 before working up to Curriculum Manager in 1990 and Vice Principal of Curriculum and Quality in 1996. 

Gill joined the Grimsby Institute in March 2016 as Chief Executive and set an agenda that saw the Group achieve outstanding results for its learners. 

Gill said: “I was completely overwhelmed when I found out I had been nominated.
 
“I come from a humble upbringing and the thought of getting the opportunity to go to Buckingham Palace and meet a member of the Royal Family had never really been on my radar.

“I am so grateful to the colleges I have worked with.  

“I fell in love with teaching because I was working in Personnel and Training and thoroughly enjoyed the training aspect. To see people come in, at whatever stage they are at in their lives, and watch them transform as you set them on their way to something bigger and better is absolutely a privilege.

“Prince William was very interested in education and he completely understands the impact it can have on someone’s life. 

“It was a wonderful, wonderful day, better than I could ever have imagined, and it’s made me feel very privileged and grateful to the people who have enabled me to be there because of their hard work.”