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’.
Jackson is the founder and owner of international triathlon and cycling brand HUUB, whose products have been worn by athletes including the Brownlee Brothers, Sir Jason Kenney and David Weir as well as an array of amateur competitors.
In late November he was invited to Windsor Castle to collect an MBE for his services to business and innovation. He 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.
Dean Jackson 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 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 neurodiversities, 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.
Originally founded via a kitchen table, HUUB, which has a Queen’s Award for innovation and two patents for its technology, has collaborated with a number of experts and world-class athletes to create products for sporting participants of all ages and abilities.
Jackson 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.”
