The CEO of a Buckinghamshire children's charity has been awarded the Black Female Pioneer of the Year award at Milton Keynes’ first Black Excellence Awards.

Fola Komolafe MBE DL, who was recently appointed chief executive of World Vision UK, was given the Black Female Pioneer of the Year prize at the Milton Keynes Black Excellence Awards, which celebrates and champions black talent in the community.

Ms Komolafe was also a guest at the humanitarian reception at Buckingham Palace, where she met King Charles III.

This also marked the 60th anniversary of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), of which World Vision is a member.

Fola Komolafe MBE DL commented: “I am so honoured to be recognised and to receive this award.

"I hope to be able to inspire, encourage and challenge every person, especially our young ones, to know that they can be a pioneer of change, giving themselves permission for their own unique story to be written as they pursue their dreams, even if they don't always feel fully prepared for it.”