A new school governor is hoping to use his decades of tactical planning with the army and Ministry of Defence to help to ensure a bright future for his former school.

Lt Col Mark Nicholas MBE was announced as chairman of the governing body for Langley School in Loddon last week.

The new role will see Mr Nicholas return to his former school and apply his years of strategic experience to a new set of challenges as he helps the school grow and improve.

A school spokesman said: “After graduating Mark served for nearly 20 years in the British Army which included operational service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“At the Ministry of Defence he specialised in strategy development and his work managing the global operational commitments of the Army earned him an MBE in 2015.”

Mr Nicholas explained why the role was so personally significant and his plans for future development.

He said: “I’m a former pupil so I have heritage and a deep interest in the school.

“I am hoping to build on the success of Langley School in the past decade. I see my tenure as looking to the future and making sure Langley provide first class and innovative education.

“My role is very much about looking to the future and making sure Langley is the number one choice for education in this fast moving world.”

Mr Nicholas served as head boy during his time and at Langley School and previous to that attended Taverham Hall Prep School.

During his time with the army and later the Ministry of Defence, Mr Nicholas would travel all over the world and rarely had time to visit his alma mater.

However, since undertaking the new position he has returned and was left galvanised by what he saw.

Mr Nicholas said: “I was hugely impressed by the vibrant and exciting atmosphere. Numbers have grown in recent years and the school is buzzing.”

“I am excited to be bringing leadership to the next part of the journey and am hoping to bring years of strategic experience from my military career.”

The new chairman is currently the show and programmes director for the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and is responsible for the planning and delivery of the Royal Norfolk Show.