Nigel Fossey, Anoushé Husain Awarded MBEs

Two individuals with links to Luxembourg and its international community were recently awarded MBEs as part of the 2024 New Year Honours List in the United Kingdom.

This list recognises individuals' selfless service to others across the UK. More than 1,200 people were awarded for their achievements on this occasion.

Among the recipients were Nigel Fossey, former joint Head of St George's International School Luxembourg, and Anoushé Husain, a Luxembourg-born British paraclimber and civil servant. Both received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) recently, the former for his services to British education overseas and the latter for her services to disabled people.

Speaking to Chronicle.lu, Nigel Fossey shared how he had assumed the role of joint Head of St George's International School Luxembourg in August 2008. "This was a very exciting time for the school as we had just moved to the new purpose-built campus in Hamm," he said, adding: "I remember this time with great affection, as it was my first Headship, and it was a great honour to be part of the story of St George's." At the time, he served as joint Head together with Heather Duxbury. He mentioned various expansion projects that characterised his time at the school, including the Lentz Building, the new dining room and the gym above primary. "It was also a time of broadening the curriculum and introducing A Levels for sixteen- to eighteen-year-olds," he recalled.

Since leaving Luxembourg, Nigel Fossey has assumed various leadership roles in China, Denmark and the UK. He served as Head of King's College La Moraleja and Kings's College Panama, becoming Chief Academic Officer for King's Group and Americas Education Director upon its acquisition by Inspired. "I am so fortunate to have found a career that has had so much variety and challenge, but the greatest joy has been playing a small part in the education and success of generations of young people," he commented.

Currently, Nigel is based in Oman, where he serves as Principal of The Sultan's School. He noted that this prestigious school "plays an important role in educating scholars from remote regions of the Sultanate who go on to become leaders of their country." He elaborated: "Education is making a difference to communities worldwide, and I am currently working closely with the British Omani society to promote training opportunities for British students as well as developing intercultural tolerance initiatives which will lead to greater understanding between peoples in the region."

Regarding the MBE, which he received in January 2024, Nigel said "this represents a recognition of how important education is to both my home country and all of the countries that host British curriculum schools."

Anoushé Husain, who was born and raised in Luxembourg, explained how she had moved to the UK ten years ago to become a civil servant. She shared how her "passion for volunteering, helping people and trying to make society more equitable started very young." In Luxembourg, this experience involved volunteering at the International Bazaar (Bazar International), undertaking sponsored swims and walks, and teaching English.

In London, she became a public speaker and took up climbing. "I would give my time and blog about my lived experiences and my reality growing up and living in an inequitable society as well as how, we can all change and help ourselves reach our own potential if we don’t limit ourselves to societal norms," she explained.

Anoushé Husain's talks and blogs have won several awards and she has appeared in various TV campaigns and books. In 2022, she achieved a Guiness World Record for climbing using one hand. She also received an award from then British Prime Minister Theresa May for her charity work. Anoushé joined the Luxembourg Climbing Team in 2022 and has been competing internationally ever since.

Commenting on her recent recognition, she stated: "Getting an MBE has been a huge shock and honour. I will use it as a platform to keep creating societal change so we can all be respected for who we are."