Rebekah Iiyambo, Chief Executive Officer of Eko Trust, said:

“This OBE belongs as much to all of the brilliant colleagues – staff, governors and trustees – who work across Eko’s schools and in our central team as it does to me. Eko’s success is thanks to the remarkable work they do every day so that pupils in our schools get the fantastic education that gives them the chance to fulfil their potential. I am very lucky to work with them and thank them for all they do.

“Eko is a special organisation, passionate about nurturing, growing and developing our people so that the pupils we serve have the best opportunities to succeed. It is a privilege to have spent my adult life working in education and with children, and to have been at Eko for the last nine years. I will continue to do my best for our pupils and their families.”

Philippa King, Chair of Trustees of Eko Trust, said:

“Rebekah has made an enormous contribution to our trust and our schools, and most importantly to the lives of so many children through her superb career. Throughout, she has never sought the limelight and has always remained humble, generous and authentic. Rebekah richly deserves this huge honour and we are all delighted for her.”