The achievements of retiring English UK chief executive Tony Millns were celebrated at a special dinner in London this week.

During his 15 years in the job, Tony masterminded the creation of English UK from predecessor organisations dedicated to state and private language centres, giving the industry a single voice and pushing to raise standards.

Among the 40 guests at the dinner, held in London's Oxford and Cambridge Club, were past and present chairs and members of the organisation's main Board, politicians, staff members, Jill Millns, and Nichola Carter, the lawyer who led English UK's successful Judicial Review in 2010.

Mike Wills, Ombudsman and former English UK chair, composed and sang a comic song paying tribute to Tony's achievements with English UK, while former ARELS chair Richard Day, presenting him with a collection of Waterford crystal glasses, said: "He has done so much to raise the profile of English language through our association and we are really grateful for all that he has done...

"He has taken EUK to the peak of performance through his vision, through his tenacity and though his determination. No one can begin to match Tony's achievements without paying attention to detail. Tony has the most fantastic memory of anyone I know and a power of logic and argument that's second to none.

"He has done a huge amount to create the fabric of this organisation of which we are so proud today...Thank you so, so much." Richard hoped Tony would continue his involvement with the organisation, and paid tribute to the "sterling efforts" of the team. 

Thanking his past and present Chairs and the English UK staff, Tony said: "I would like to stay involved and see it grow and go further and I wish you all the best. I really did appreciate all your support and help."