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A Jersey head teacher is the first in his profession to win a national award from the UK's top business leaders.

Richard Rolfe, head teacher of Le Rocquier School, won the Institute of Directors (IoD) Director of the Year for the Public/Third Sector.

And he was runner up in the main director of the year category.

The award was presented to him by former MP Michael Portillo who described his achievements as inspiring.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Rolfe said: "I was born in a children's home into a community with children in care and now as a head teacher I care for children in the community."

Jason Laity, chairman of the Jersey Branch of the IoD, said: "This is absolutely fantastic news, and I am delighted for Richard and for Le Rocquier School.

"Winning a national award in such an important and hard fought category is an achievement about which Richard should be very proud.

"It is also particularly pleasing that Jersey has produced a winner in the public/third sector category, demonstrating the breadth of our membership in Jersey."

The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals at director level within private, public and voluntary organisations across Britain.