Mr Buerk was guest speaker at the global education charity’s celebration on Friday evening, which was held to raise funds for its new oracy initiative in primary schools.

In September, the ESU Lincolnshire introduced its ‘Discover Your Voice’ programme into two Lincolnshire primary schools with a high number of disadvantaged children, one in Lincoln and one in Grantham – with more schools in the pipeline. 

The programme is designed to help young people to engage with the world and to talk more confidently, to formulate and organise their ideas more effectively and, just as importantly, to listen.  

Lincoln College Group CEO Gary Headland said: “We were delighted to host the English Speaking Union’s centenary dinner at Lincoln College.

“The vital work that the ESU is doing in Lincolnshire schools chimes with our vision of adding recognised social value through education and training across the county. Having the confidence to organise and articulate thoughts is an important employability and life-skill which we work hard to help our students to develop.

“We were also delighted to welcome back ESU Governor Sir Michael Graydon, who has been a great supporter of the College in recent years.”