Derby businessman Dean Jackson has spoken of his pride at receiving an MBE from the future King of England – admitting his younger self would ‘not have believed his eyes’.
Dean is the founder and owner of global triathlon and cycling brand HUUB, whose pioneering products have been worn by athletes including the Brownlee Brothers, Sir Jason Kenney and David Weir as well as countless amateur competitors.
He was invited to Windsor Castle to collect an MBE for his services to business and innovation but could not help thinking how far he had come from his days growing up in Alvaston and attending Noel-Baker School.
Dean was among several celebrities also receiving honours during the same investiture ceremony, including singers Simon le Bon and Heather Small and actress Dame Imelda Staunton.
He said: “When I was in the queue waiting to go up to Prince William, I felt so overwhelmed I almost burst into tears. How does a person from Noel-Baker, with two O-Levels, one GCSE and a cycling proficiency badge end up in this position?
“I just thought that someone had obviously cloned me, because here I was with Simon le Bon standing two people in front of me in the queue. He was a huge deal when I was a teenager – Duran Duran were the Gods of music in 1985-86 – and here I am collecting the same accolade as him. Talk about imposter syndrome!
“My Dad asked Heather Small what she had done today to make her feel proud – it was just totally surreal. But all the time I kept thinking back to young Dean, who had undiagnosed dyspraxia, ADHD and other neurodiversity’s, who just wouldn’t believe his eyes if he could see himself today.
“I would love to tell a young Dean, as I would tell any young person, just to keep trying, persevere and that he would get there in the end. Anything is possible if you do what you love.”
Dean was accompanied to Windsor Castle by his wife Angela, daughter Ellie and his dad Peter, who he credits with encouraging him to never give up and just go for it.
Dean famously launched HUUB from his kitchen table creating pioneering technology to measure active drag and create performance-enhancing products for swimmers, runners and cyclists.
The company, which has a Queen’s Award for innovation and two patents for its technology, has collaborated with experts and world-class athletes to create products for sporting participants of all ages and abilities.
Dean added: “Incredibly, Prince William knew all about us and we also discussed his family members, including his sister-in-law, Pippa Middleton, enjoying swimming and triathlons.
“He was particularly interested in the technology behind the wetsuits and asked me to explain exactly how we helped athletes go faster. As soon as we started talking, he made me feel relaxed and it just felt like a really normal conversation. My family were laughing afterwards because I had been chatting to him for so long.
“What’s particularly incredible about the whole experience is that every single person involved makes you feel special and as if you are the only person getting honoured that day. Imedla Staunton was being given a damehood, but her treatment was exactly the same as mine. It really was a day I will treasure forever.”
After the event Dean’s wife Angela had arranged a surprise gathering of around 40 friends and family in their local pub, The Hole in the Wall in Mickleover.
