A leading educationalist has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours making it her second award.

Nikki King, chairman of the Skills For Life Trust (SFLT) which runs eight schools and pre-schools in Medway and Gravesend , has been given a CBE for her services to education.

She was already an OBE for her services to the road transport industry during a career working for Isuzu Motors.

Since leaving the motor industry in 2013, Nikki joined SFLT (formerly known as the Greenacre Academy Trust) and used her role to oversee changes about what could be done in schools.

She was also the first non-teacher to join the Head Teacher Board for the London and the South East region and works with the Department of Education to assist trusts which are underperforming.

Under her leadership, SFLT has formed partnerships throughout the business world to help give children skills employers want which she says the government curriculum fails to achieve.

Nikki said: "When I thought I was retired and ready for my slippers and a comfortable chair, I was doubly blessed to start again in an unpaid role that I am now equally passionate about and have been similarly honoured.

"I accept this honour on behalf of all the wonderful, committed staff at the Skills for Life Trust and thank them for putting up with me and eagerly adopting my 'out of the box' vision."

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend

Read more: All the latest news from Medway