Leadership trainer John Fay is one of the youngest people, outside of footballers, to receive the MBE in this month's Queen's Birthday Honours.
John, 37, collected the award for his voluntary work in the field of leadership and personal development with the Royal Air Force Reserve.
As a past commanding officer of the Wilmslow ATC, Sqn Ldr Fay, developed a course called Junior Leaders for local Cheshire youngsters in 1999.
It was initially aimed at setting young adults on course for careers as officers in the RAF, but has since been extended to embrace training for the Army, Navy and for managers in private sector business.
Although initially created for the Wilmslow community, it is now open to candidates nationwide. So far 131 students have graduated from across Britain.
John, who runs Staffordshire-based leadership training company SFL Ltd, said: "I started the course purely for local young adults but it was soon attracting participants from further afield and from the private sector. Now, it is truly national, limited only by resources.
"The team that works with me is superb. This honour is as much for them as it is for me."
