A Lincoln construction firm hosted a very special day on July 16, playing host to HRH The Princess Royal.
The Gelder Group invited Princess Anne to its Sturton by Stow headquarters, near Lincoln, to open the new Educational Centre and launch the company’s new 2017 Mission and Vision.
The education centre will be used as the company’s Pre-Apprenticeship Academy and home of the Gelder Virtual School, a facility set up with the County Council to educate “disaffected youths” in a working environment.
The 2017 Mission and Vision includes 20 things the group aims to achieve by July 17, 2017.
Princess Anne is the President of City & Guilds, of which Managing Director, Steve Gelder MBE, is a member.
In 2013, she awarded him the Prince Philip Medal for his commitment to apprenticeships.
At the visit she was accompanied by City & Guilds’ Chairman, Sir John Armitt, as well as City and Guilds’ CEO, Chris Jones.
Group Managing Director, Steve Gelder said: “With an imminently looming and very scary construction skills shortage there has never been a better time for young people to consider construction as a career option so I am very excited by the fact that this visit highlighted this.
“I also feel proud that the company is also being recognised for all the other great things it does in the community.”