MANSFIELD businessman Gary Jordan was absolutely honoured and delighted to receive an MBE from Prince William at Buckingham Palace.

Gary and his wife, Martine, enjoyed “a fantastic morning” at the Palace and Gary said he was proud to represent the communities of Mansfield and Ashfield in the company of many worthy recipients of honours.

Gary (62) was awarded the honour in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for services to business and the economy of Mansfield and Ashfield.

After the prestigious ceremony at the Palace in May, he said: “To meet, chat and laugh with His Royal Highness was, to date, one of the most exciting things that has happened to me in a long career.

“The memories of the whole event will live long with myself and my family. I am truly grateful to whoever took the time to nominate me.”

A former chair of Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 and Skills and Enterprise champion, he continues to make a major contribution to the community. Gary is a member of Mansfield Rotary and The Armchair Club, which back local charitable causes, sportspeople and clubs.

During the first lockdown he led a major PPE initiative, #ppe4nhs, and now leads the #WeMakeITPossible campaign to redeploy IT equipment to schools in the area.

Gary, director of The Musketeers CIC, said when he received the letter informing him of the MBE award from the Cabinet Office Ceremonial Officer, he first thought it was a very elaborate hoax.

“I’m humbled and honoured that someone thinks the work I’ve done over the past 15 years or so, but more recently supporting local business, people, schools, and simply doing my bit, was worthy of this accolade,” he added.

Gary, an executive business coach, works with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, Vision West Nottinghamshire College, NTU, business leaders and skills groups, supporting start-ups, school leavers and those made redundant due to the pandemic.