Colchester Institute exec awarded MBE for Education services. A College boss says he is “extremely proud” after being made an MBE in the King’s New Years Honours list.
Gary Horne joined the Colchester Institute in 2008 as financial controller, and he has held the senior finance position on the executive team since 2010. Steering the College through some difficult financial times, Gary has transformed Colchester Institute campuses through seizing every opportunity to write credible, compelling bids to secure grant-funding.
He has also developed and implemented a 50-point plan for sustainability and reduced the College’s carbon footprint by 36% over three years, winning the Essex Business Environmental Awareness Award.
On receiving the MBE for services to education, Gary said: “Colchester Institute is a special place where careers are made and life chances are transformed. I feel so privileged to work with so many inspirational colleagues who give their best every day to support our communities and make sure every student receives the best possible education, training and support. I feel extremely proud to be recognised in this way, and would like to thank all my family, all my colleagues, and college stakeholders for affording me the opportunity to do my job in such a successful organisation.”
Alison Andreas, Principal and Chief Executive of Colchester Institute, said: “This recognition is richly deserved. As the college’s senior lead for Finance and Estates, Gary has successfully steered the college through some very difficult financial challenges, in particular since the collapse of the national Building Colleges for the Future programme in 2009 left the college with a half-demolished campus and a significant debt. Gary has provided the vision behind the redevelopment of both the Colchester and Braintree campuses, and through his creativity and tenacity, he has secured over £40m of new funding to turn that vision to reality.”
“Gary is passionate about ensuring the best possible experience for all students and will stop at nothing to provide this, across all our sites and outreach projects. Honours of this kind are bestowed on extraordinary people who go above and beyond and who work selflessly for public benefit. In this regard, there is no one more deserving than Gary.”
