Almost two years after being awarded his OBE, the chief executive of one of the county's leading college groups has finally received the honour.

Graham Razey, CEO of the EKC Group - which comprises of colleges in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, Broadstairs and Sheppey was named an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List last year.

But Covid restrictions meant it was only this month he collected the award at a special ceremony at Windsor Castle from Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge.

He received his award for services to education, having worked within the sector since 1994, starting his career as a lecturer before going on to lead the transformation of further education across east Kent over the past decade.

The college chief said: "It was a genuinely amazing moment to receive my OBE in person from the Duke of Cambridge. Every year you see the pictures of people attending to receive the awards bestowed upon them, but to be there in person, with my wife, son and my parents was a truly incredible experience and one which will stay with me forever.

“I feel truly humble to get this award, and particularly so after colleagues across our group’s family of colleges and business units have shown such absolute commitment to doing the right thing by the communities we serve through what has been the most challenging period of my professional career during the pandemic. I have a genuinely incredible team, who’ve really made this award possible and I’m so proud to lead EKC Group into its bright future.”

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