This is one of my favourite portrait shots, partly for the portrait itself, but mainly for the story behind it.

Buckingham, England, June 2012

Mr Albert Gladwin, now 91, is the UK’s oldest graduate. Despite leaving school at 14 with scarcely a qualification behind him, he has now completed three degrees! His most recent, which he completed last year and graduated in March this year aged 90, was in Intelligence Studies (he used to be in the MI6).

He is so positive and kind and funny; truly an inspiration. When asked what advice he’d give to others thinking of doing a degree he said:

‘Go for it, at any age; it’s never too late to learn’

I’m going to remember that :)

Bertie has received lots of press coverage for his fantastic achievement, so here are some links where you can find out more about him:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/the-oldest-master-student-who-left-school-at-14-gets-his-third-degree-at-90-7707488.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2147643/Bertie-Gladwin-Britains-oldest-student-graduates-degree-military-intelligence-aged-91.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/may/29/graduated-aged-90-bertie-gladwin (written by Bertie himself)