Capel Manor College Tutor Wins the Prestigious President’s Award at Guildhall

Line Hansen, Saddlery & Footwear Team Leader, at Capel Manor College, won the President’s Award at The Palace Awards on 30 January for her exceptional delivery of City & Guilds qualifications.

This was the 140th anniversary of the esteemed event and Line was also commended by The Rt Hon Lord Mayor, Alderman Peter Estlin, Sir John Armitt CBE, Chairman of City & Guilds, and Chris Jones, Chief Executive of the City & Guilds Group.

The Palace Awards ceremony is an annual event and is the culmination of three different awards schemes: the Prince Philip Medal, the President’s Award and the Livery Company Awards.

The awards recognise and reward learners and tutors across the UK who have achieved excellence as a result of the City and Guilds of London Institute qualifications. Applications for all of the awards are through internal nomination and shortlisting processes.

The President’s Award was first presented in 2003 in recognition of the Duke of Edinburgh’s 50 years as President of The City and Guilds of London Institute. The award honours tutors who have excelled in delivering the qualifications.

The recipient of the President’s Award is chosen from a shortlist by HRH The Princess Royal and the current President of The City and Guilds of London Institute. This shortlist of candidates is compiled from the highest scoring tutors from Medals for Excellence, another awards programme that honours excellence in learning and tutoring. In order to win this award, candidates have to demonstrate enthusiasm for their subject, outstanding knowledge or skill and champion learning.

Capel Manor College’s School of Animal Management and Saddlery was renamed The Princess Royal College of Animal Management and Saddlery in recognition of The Princess Royal’s ongoing involvement with the College and her encouragement to develop the School since she first suggested the idea in 1986. Capel Manor College is the only college in Europe to offer a full-time saddlery course.

After being presented with her well-deserved award by The Princess Royal, Line Hansen said, “It is an honour to receive the President’s Award. I started teaching as I wanted to help students understand how important it is for horses to have the right leather equipment. I aim to inspire students to strive to not only produce the best saddles, bridlery and harnesses that they can, but to respect horses and their needs.”

Principal Malcolm Goodwin added, “The College is thrilled for Line and delighted she has received the President’s Award. Line richly deserves this personal achievement as she shows a tirelessness dedication to her students, and a total passion for all leatherwork craft skills. Our students are the best there is, and their outstanding successes reflect the dedication of Line and her team, who provide outstanding support and career enhancing opportunities for our students every day.”