Posted: 25th June 2014 | Back to news feed
SALISBURY Master Saddler and former president of The Society of Master Saddlers, Mark Romain, has been awarded an MBE in recognition of “services to the saddlery industry and saddlery training in the UK and overseas”.
Mark (57) owns and runs The Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury, the only training centre to provide a government apprenticeship scheme in the industry.
The centre offers both apprentice training and courses, and now has a reputation as an internationally renowned training provider.
Over the years Mark has played a major role in developing the NVQ for the saddlery industry, and revising the City & Guilds National Sadddlery Skill Assessment and Qualification Scheme as well as being a key figure in implementing the Millennium and Saddlery (formerly Modern) Apprenticeship Schemes.
Mark, an expert in the manufacture and repair of saddles, bridles and harness for the equine industry, has sat on the Society of Master Saddlers' executive committee since 1991 and has contributed to the training of more than 200 apprentices and well over 1,500 saddlers from around the world.
In 2011 Mark became one of the youngest recipients of a Fellowship of the Society of Master Saddlers. He is also a member of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers and sits on several of their sub committees involved in training, apprenticeships and qualifications.
Said Mark: “I found out on May 10 and I was absolutely thrilled. I couldn’t completely believe it until I saw the Queen's Birthday Honours list published on Saturday.”
Said Hazel Morley of the Society of Master Saddlers: “We are delighted for Mark and extremely proud. Mark is a great asset to the Society and the industry as a whole, and we are very pleased his hard work and dedication has been recognised and rewarded.”
To find out more information on the Society of Master Saddlers visit www.mastersaddlers.co.uk or contact on 01449 711642.
The Equestrian Index newsfeed is compiled from articles submitted by advertising members and expresses the opinions of those members. Watsons Directories Ltd shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies or mis-statements therein.