Mark Rutter  received the recognition for his outstanding contribution to the family business community and the successful growth of the company.

The awards were organised by family business united, which recognise individuals who have made a significant and lasting contribution to their family business and the wider family business community.

Founded in 2007, Open Study College has grown from a family business into one of the UK's leading distance learning providers, supporting more than 150,000 learners and enrolling more than 250,000 courses.

Mark has played a fundamental role in establishing the foundations of the business and guiding its growth over almost two decades.

Mark Rutter said: "It's a huge honour to receive this award and certainly not something I ever expected when we started the business nearly 20 years ago.

"Building a family business is never just about one person. It's about the people around you, the decisions you make together and having the belief and determination to keep moving forward, even when things aren't always straightforward.

"I'm incredibly proud of what we've built at Open Study College and, perhaps more importantly, what the business continues to become.

We've got a brilliant team and a real purpose behind what we do, which is to help people access education and create opportunities for themselves.

"I'm very grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey so far. This award is a great recognition of that journey, but there's still plenty more to do."

The company has experienced growth in recent years as demand for flexible and accessible education has continued to increase, while investing in new technology, systems and ways of supporting learners.

Today, the business employs more than 45 people and continues to operate with the close-knit culture and family values that have been part of Open Study College since its beginnings.