40. Richard Riley, Small Heath School

Senior tutor at Small Heath School in Birmingham, Richard Riley was a pioneer of forging links between schools and industry long before it was fashionable.

A tireless and persistent networker, his energy and drive has helped the inner city school where he has worked for the last 33 years become a local success story.

Mr Riley teaches PE at the school but also has responsibility for work-related learning, enterprise education, information, advice and guidance and marketing and public relations.

His well-established links with industry and commerce has helped raise the profile of the school in the city. Mr Riley says the school's go-getting approach is based on "not worrying if it will work or not, but just do it".

He is passionate about the importance of industry working with schools as part of the curriculum, rather than one-off visits and believes experience of work should be a motivational part of a young person's everyday school life.

As well as being a teacher governor at Small Heath, Mr Riley is also a member of a the CBI Regional Council - the first teacher to ever serve on the body.

In addition, he is a member and education adviser of the Institute of Directors and also serves as an education adviser to Land Rover TrackNAV Challenge, where youngsters are tasked to build an off-road vehicle, BMW and Birmingham International Airport.

Mr Riley is retiring from teaching this summer but will remain at Small Heath as an adviser on work-related activities and continue to develop links with industry partners.

Outside work he has a commercial balloon pilot licence and has worked for Virgin Airship and the Balloon Company.