A BRYNAMAN teacher has been named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for his work in overseas education.

John Gwyn Jones will collect an MBE for his services to British Overseas Education after spending the last 33 years teaching in south east Asia.

Growing up in Brynaman as one of five siblings, John graduated from university in Carmarthen after studying teaching.

He had previously worked as a banker, but opted to pursue his true passion, and in 1976 took up his first appointment as a teacher at Ammanford Junior School.

In 1986, John was seconded by Dyfed County Council to take up a three-year appointment as a Curriculum Advisor for the British Forces Schools in Hong Kong.

He was then asked to take up the appointment of Deputy Headmaster at Gun Clun Hill Barracks School in Kowloon, where he remained until December 1990.

He then served as headteacher at a school in Penang, Malaysia for 23 years before retiring.

John came out of retirement just a few months later to work as a consultant for schools in Laos

In August 2019, John was successful in being appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of British Schools in Asia.

Now, John has been recognised for his years of service, being granted an MBE on the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.