Walsall College principal gets OBE from Prince Charles

Mr Sharma, from Wolverhampton, travelled to Buckingham Palace with his family yesterday to be given the accolade and afterwards said he felt 'very humbled'.

He joined the college in 2004 and quickly rose to the post of vice principal before being appointed the principal and chief executive in 2011.

Under his leadership, the college has been awarded three Association of Colleges Beacon Awards and the Investors in People Gold Award.

At the investiture ceremony in London, the Prince of Wales spent several minutes talking to Mr Sharma.

Mr Sharma, aged 48, said: "I am incredibly honoured to receive this recognition for my contribution to further education.

"I am also very humbled by this achievement, which would not have been possible without the fantastic support of the governors, staff and students who make Walsall College outstanding, as well as my family.

"The college has seen some major transformations as well as record success rates in recent years and I look forward to seeing the current projects we have invested in continue to benefit the local community which we serve."

Walsall College corporation chairman Brian Lowe added: "The award is hugely deserved. Jatinder is very passionate about the college and committed to ensuring success for his students and employees.

"He has the respect and admiration of all those he works with and his outstanding leadership has seen the college reach extraordinary heights over the years."

Walsall College, which has campuses in Littleton Street West and Green Lane, is among the largest further education establishments in the region.

In 2013 it became the first college in the country to receive an 'outstanding' Ofsted inspection under the new framework.