A ‘humbled’ St Albans entrepreneur will be making her second trip to Buckingham Palace this year, after being named an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Zoe Jackson, director of St Albans-based Living the Dream performing arts company, said: “This is a dream come true. I have always wanted to meet the Queen, but to be honoured twice in one year, and to be awarded an MBE is incredible!

“I feel completely humbled to be in the presence of so many inspiring people – I’m completely overwhelmed and can’t believe that I have been recognised in this way.”

The accolade is awarded for a significant achievement or outstanding service to the community. An MBE is also awarded for local ‘hands-on’ service which stands out as an example to other people.

Earlier this year the entrepreneur, a former Beaumont School pupil, became one of the first recipients of the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards, for inspiring and empowering young people to live their dreams and championing young talent through the arts.

Zoe, 25, set up Living the Dream at the age of 16 in 2006 to inspire young people and to subsidise her own performing arts education.

Over the past nine years the company has expanded to include a school of performing arts, a professional dance company and talent agency.

She also launched a charity, the Dream Foundation, which supports disadvantaged young people, giving them access to the arts.

Zoe was recently included in the ‘Top 100 Inspiring Women’ in Elle magazine, in the company of a formidable list including Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.