A Mother’s Pride

Company news

Feb 27, 2013

All mothers are proud of their children, but for 90 year-old Mrs Jane Williams, February has been an extra special month as her son prepared to travel to Buckingham Palace to receive the Knighthood he was awarded in the Queen’s New Year Honours. 

Nick Williams will be attending an investiture ceremony at the Palace on February 28 after being made a Knight Bachelor for Services to Education.

Mr Williams recently retired after 11 years as the Principal of the BRIT School for Performing Arts in Croydon. 

Mrs Williams, who lives at Care UK’s Kingsfield care home in Faversham, is especially proud of her son’s achievement as he followed in her footsteps to a career in education. 

Mrs Williams was herself Senior Mistress of Ulverley School in Solihull for 23 years, and said: “I am a very proud mother, as both my sons carried on my profession. I cannot get over the fact that Nick is being knighted. I feel as if I should curtsy and call him ‘Sir’!”

Both Mrs Williams’ sons followed her into education, with Nick’s brother Andrew currently Professor of International Relations at St Andrews University in Scotland.

Nick, who is also a Trustee of the Imperial War Museum, said: “I was very honoured to receive a New Year’s Honour and I owe it all to my wonderful mother.”

Mrs Williams will not be able to attend the investiture, so the team at Kingsfield, in Jubilee Way, will be holding a special event for her at the home to celebrate.

Activities Coordinator Laura Corbett said: “Mrs Williams is a very special lady and we want to be able to help her enjoy her son’s big day so we are organising a special tea to mark the occasion.”

Mr Williams’ achievement comes in a particularly special year for the honours, and he joined the likes of Olympics lead Lord Sebastian Coe, artist Tracy Emin, singer Kate Bush and actor Ewan MacGregor who were all given various awards. 

Of the 31 headteachers to be recognised, Mr Williams is one of only seven to be given a knighthood or damehood.