Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is proud to announce the recipients of honorary degrees to be presented during its Winter Graduation ceremonies, taking place at University Hall from 15 to 19 December 2025.
The beneficiaries are renowned football player and manager Nigel Clough, multi-award-winning actor Lennie James and CEO of the NHS Confederation Matthew Taylor.
Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor and President at Nottingham Trent University, said: “Congratulations to all our graduates, and to Nigel, Lennie and Matthew. These ceremonies are a celebration of ambition and achievement and mark the start of exciting new chapters. They also provide an opportunity to honour those whose work has changed lives, challenged norms, and inspired communities.”
Receiving an honorary degree:
Nigel Clough is one of the most respected figures in English football, known for his intelligence on the pitch, his grounded leadership style, and a career that spans more than four decades.
He began his professional journey at Nottingham Forest in 1984, quickly becoming one of the club’s most influential players of the era. Over nine seasons he made 311 league appearances, scored 101 goals, and helped secure two League Cup victories, earning a reputation for composure, creativity, and consistency. His performances led to 14 England caps and a place in the Euro 1992 squad.
Following spells at Liverpool, Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday, Nigel moved into management — a role in which he has made an equally significant impact. His transformation of Burton Albion, taking the club from the seventh tier to the brink of the Football League, demonstrated his vision and ability to build strong, committed teams. He went on to manage Derby County, Sheffield United, and returned to Burton before joining Mansfield Town in 2020 — the same year NTU opened its Mansfield campus.
Under his leadership, Mansfield achieved promotion to League One in 2024, marking a milestone for the club and community. Throughout his career, Nigel Clough has embodied steady leadership, deep understanding of the game, and a commitment to developing players and clubs alike.
Lennie James is a multi-award-winning actor, screenwriter, and playwright whose work has made a profound impact on British and international drama. Born in Nottingham and raised in South London, his early life in the care system shaped both his creative voice and his lifelong advocacy for care-experienced young people.
After training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Lennie established himself on stage at the Royal Court and National Theatre before gaining recognition on television in Civvies, Line of Duty, and Storm Damage, the latter of which he also wrote. His film credits include Snatch, 24 Hour Party People, Sahara, and Blade Runner 2049.
Internationally, he is best known for his portrayal of Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead franchise, a role that earned him a devoted global following. As a writer and creator, his acclaimed series Save Me and Save Me Too won multiple Royal Television Society Awards and a BAFTA for Best Drama Series.
Lennie continues to champion stories that reflect truth and humanity, inspiring audiences worldwide through his artistry, integrity, and advocacy.
Matthew Taylor, CBE is Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation and Chair of the Fair Work Agency. A sociologist’s son, Matthew describes himself as a ‘late developer,’ having attended six primary schools and retaken his A-levels before going on to university to study history and sociology. Early inspiration from his lecturer, John Clark, led him to a Masters in industrial relations and a lifelong focus on employment and work policy.
In his twenties, Matthew was elected to Warwickshire County Council, gaining practical experience in policymaking. He later worked as a health policy researcher and led the Institute for Public Policy Research, before joining Number 10 Downing Street as Chief Adviser on Political Strategy under Tony Blair. From 2006 to 2021, he served as Chief Executive of the Royal Society for arts, manufactures and commerce (RSA), growing it into an influential institution with 30,000 fellows.
In 2016, he led a government review of modern employment practices, producing recommendations including the creation of the Fair Work Agency. Matthew has a long record of working across political boundaries, connecting academic thinking with practical policy and promoting collaboration over conflict.
Awarded a CBE in 2019, he is also a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Moral Maze. Matthew is married with three children and an avid runner, channelling the same energy into parkruns as he still does into his career.
