Bracknell charity CEO Katharine Horler receives OBE from the Queen

Friday, December 8 was a proud day for Bracknell, Berkshire based charity Adviza as their Chief Executive Katharine Horler received her OBE from The Queen at Windsor Castle.

Katharine was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June for outstanding commitment to improving the lives of others.

Describing the investiture Katharine said: "It was a very special and humbling experience to receive my OBE from The Queen at Windsor Castle. We each had the opportunity for a short conversation with The Queen who was very interested in young people who need some extra help to get started in life."

Katharine began her professional life in the 1980s as a special needs careers adviser and has worked to support vulnerable young people and adults ever since.She became Chief Executive of Connexions Berkshire in 2003 and in 2008 took on Connexions Thames Valley,which became a registered charity. This was renamed to Adviza Partnership in 2011.

Throughout her leadership she has sought ways to maintain and attract funds.She has also instigated development and delivery of innovative programmes, including the mentoring programme Lucky Break and intensive support programmes such as Energise.

Upon the announcement of the award, Terry Stock, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Adviza said:“Katharine lives and breathes her passion for those most in need, finding new ways to fill funding gaps and new initiatives to inspire young people and adults.”