Nottingham Trent University celebrates exceptional individuals at Graduation 2025

This summer’s honorees include trailblazers in public service, sport, law, fashion, and social impact—each of whom has made a significant contribution to their field and to society.

Steve Denton, Vice-Chancellor at Nottingham Trent University, said: “Our graduation ceremonies are a celebration of aspiration, achievement, and ambition. They are also an opportunity to honour individuals whose work has transformed lives, challenged conventions, and inspired communities..”

Receiving an honorary degree:

Born in Manchester, Dame Ann Limb DBE DL is a philanthropist, Quaker, and changemaker dedicated to improving lives and communities. She gained her PGCE from NTU and went on to lead two major colleges as Principal and CEO: Milton Keynes College and Cambridge Regional College.

In 2001, Ann spearheaded national digital learning initiatives such as learndirect and UK online. Her leadership continued as Chair of The Scouts (2015–2021) and the UK Innovation Corridor (2017–2023).

Today, she serves as Pro Chancellor of the University of Surrey and Chair of several major charities and institutions. She also founded the Helena Kennedy Foundation to support social justice in education.

Named the #1 LGBTQ+ public sector role model in 2019 and one of the 50 most influential northern women, Ann’s honours include an OBE, CBE, and DBE for her outstanding contributions to education, young people, and philanthropy.

Born in Aylesbury in 1956, Barbara White OBE began her career as a dental nurse before retraining as a physiotherapy assistant.

Her experience with seriously ill children inspired her to support them in achieving special wishes. In 1989, just months after starting a role as a fundraiser, Barbara was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

That same year, she was asked to help a terminally ill four-year-old girl, Johanna, fulfil her dream of visiting Florida. Though Johanna sadly passed away before the trip, her spirit inspired Barbara to found When You Wish Upon a Star. Now in its 35th year, the charity has granted over 19,000 wishes for children with life-threatening conditions. Barbara’s compassion, resilience, and dedication have made a lasting impact, and her work continues to bring joy to families across the UK.

Sean Lyons began his career as a mechanical apprentice in the steel industry later becoming a sponsored student at the University of Bradford, where he earned a degree in Engineering, followed by an MBA at Warwick Business School. He held several engineering management roles at British Steel before moving to British Steel Stainless as Chief Engineer.

He relocated to Sweden to lead manufacturing operations in an Anglo-Swedish steel company. His role grew to Senior Vice President, overseeing operations in both the UK and Sweden. He later helped lead the merger of Anglo, Swedish, and Finnish companies in the stainless steel industry and served as Senior Vice President for Strategy, developing business in the Middle East and Asia.

Returning to the UK, Sean managed multiple steel businesses across the Midlands, North East, and Scotland before becoming Director of the Scunthorpe Steelworks.

Following retirement, Sean chaired several organisations including Sherwood Forest NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, West Nottinghamshire College, and currently serves as Group Chair of NHS Humber Health Partnership.

Adam Burgess etched his name into British sporting history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, claiming a silver medal in the men’s C1 canoe slalom. This remarkable achievement came in his second Olympic appearance.

A proud NTU alumnus, graduating in 2014 with a degree in Sport Science and Management, Adam made headlines throughout the 2023 season by reaching seven consecutive international finals to secure his place in Paris.

Since becoming Britain’s first-ever U23 World Champion in 2015, Adam has amassed nine major international medals and inspired a generation of athletes. His Olympic silver stands as a powerful testament to over two decades of dedication to his sport and a legacy that places him among the greats of British canoeing.

Her Honour Judge Nirmal Shant KC was called to the Bar in 1984 and built a distinguished legal career, prosecuting and defending high-profile criminal cases across the country. Recognised for her legal acumen and courtroom excellence, she was appointed a Recorder in 2001 and elected a Bencher of Gray’s Inn in 2004.

In 2006, she took silk, becoming Queen’s Counsel and one of the youngest Asian silks in the Midlands at the time. In 2016 she was appointed Resident Judge at Derby Crown Court and became Recorder of Derby.

Judge Shant became Resident Judge and Recorder of Nottingham in 2022, continuing to oversee complex and serious cases. In 2024, she was appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge.

Alongside her judicial roles, she is deeply committed to mentoring and widening access to the legal profession.

Foday Dumbuya is the founder and Creative Director of LABRUM London, a menswear label known for blending West African heritage with contemporary British tailoring.

Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and raised in Cyprus and London, Foday’s multicultural upbringing deeply informs his design language. After graduating from NTU in 2007 with a degree in Information Design, he worked at DKNY and Nike before launching LABRUM in 2014.

Foday’s contribution to fashion has earned major recognition. In 2023, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. In 2024, he made history by becoming the first designer to stage a fashion show at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, following his collaboration with adidas on the club’s away kit. He also designed Sierra Leone’s official kit for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Foday’s work celebrates heritage and challenges convention—using fashion as a platform for cultural storytelling and creative innovation.

Jenny Sealey OBE has been Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre Company since 1997, pioneering the ‘aesthetics of artistic access’—an innovative theatrical language integrating British Sign Language, creative captioning, and audio description. Her work has transformed inclusive theatre practice nationally and internationally. In 2023, she co-wrote and performed her acclaimed one-woman show Self Raising, and made history by creating the first BSL version of Desert Island Discs.

Jenny co-directed the London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony and received the Liberty Human Rights Arts Award the same year. Under her leadership, Graeae has been instrumental in placing Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists at the heart of the creative industries, reshaping the cultural landscape with lasting impact.

The University’s Awards for Outstanding Alumni will be awarded to:

Anna Jones is a proud graduate of NTU, where she studied International Relations.

In 2015, Anna co-founded RefuAid, a pioneering charity focused on helping refugees overcome barriers to employment, education, and financial stability. One of its most impactful initiatives is the UK’s first interest-free loan programme for refugees, which has helped thousands rebuild their lives—supporting access to jobs, housing, and family reunification.

Following the success of RefuAid, Anna is now spearheading Merit, a global financial platform designed to democratize access to finance and create fairer opportunities for millions worldwide.

Anna’s innovative work and lasting social impact have earned her widespread recognition, including a place on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and Startups UK’s Women of 2024.

Dr Sidney Muhangi is a social entrepreneur, climate change activist, and sustainability researcher with over a decade of experience driving change across Africa and beyond. He holds an MSc in Global Food Security and Development from NTU.

Until recently, Sidney has been exploring climate justice, food systems, and sustainable development. He has, for the last 5 years, co-chaired the Africa Regional Hub for the MECCE programme, contributing to over 20 Sub-Saharan African climate country profiles for UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report.

Sidney has led impactful research and youth-focused initiatives in collaboration with UNICEF, UNDP, and the South African Presidency, including projects on green jobs and just energy transitions. Sidney is a co-founder of United Social Ventures, an accelerator supporting over 200 youth-led enterprises in Uganda, raising more than $6 million for sustainable development.

Sidney has received fellowships from the British Council, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK), and the African Union. In 2024, his leadership in climate action was acknowledged by HRH Prince William during Earthshot Week in Cape Town.

Eleanor Taylor is the Global Head of Emerging Talent at Rolls-Royce, leading the enterprise-wide strategy and full life cycle delivery for early careers.

Eleanor is a passionate advocate for creating opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds. She has contributed to national policy discussions through thought leadership at  the UK Department for Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review and Skills for Growth roundtables.

Prior to Rolls-Royce, Eleanor held senior HR and talent roles at E.ON in the UK and Germany, leading large-scale transformation projects and delivery programmes. She is also actively involved in community impact—as a mentor, school governor, and advisory board member at Nottingham Business School where she completed the Business Management (In Company) programme and Human Resources PgDip. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched a podcast supporting young people navigating an uncertain job market.

She received the Rising Star Award at the Great British Businesswomen Awards (2021), was a finalist for Target Jobs Early Career Professional of the Year (2022), and has led Rolls-Royce to sector wins at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards for five consecutive years.

Sue Carr has over 25 years of marketing experience, having held senior roles including Marketing Manager at BDO Stoy Hayward, Head of National Marketing at Tenon, and Marketing Director at Berryman.

In 2011, Sue became a Director and owner of V Formation Ltd, a marketing and PR agency. The agency employs twelve marketing and PR professionals, including recent Nottingham graduates.

She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of marketers, supporting NTU students with projects, CV development, and placement applications. Sue has also collaborated with NTU’s MSc Marketing Management course, sharing real-life case studies and industry insights, and is a member of the Nottingham Business School’s Advisory Board. Sue herself undertook a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing at NTU in 2001 as well as a Women in Leadership level 7 course in 2020.

Chiletam Ogbu is an accomplished cybersecurity consultant and passionate advocate for diversity in the tech industry. She graduated from NTU with a BSc in Computer Systems (Forensics & Security) and now works at NCC Group, specialising in offensive security and penetration testing. Her career includes impactful roles at the London Stock Exchange Group and Falanx Cyber, where she mentored junior professionals and delivered robust cybersecurity solutions.

In 2023, she was honoured with the TechWomen100 Award, recognising her as one of the most promising talents in the UK technology sector.

Alongside her technical work, Chiletam is a committed mentor and educator. She is a STEM Ambassador, Urban Synergy mentor, and advocate with Blacks in Cybersecurity (BIC), helping to break down barriers for underrepresented groups in tech. She has also contributed to projects supporting children with amblyopia and autism, using technology to improve lives.

Jackie Adedeji is a dynamic, award-nominated broadcaster, writer, and podcaster known for using her voice to empower women and young girls. She graduated from NTU with a BA (Hons) in Broadcast Journalism in 2015. A fearless storyteller, Jackie made national impact with her acclaimed 2023 Channel 4 documentary My Big Boobs, which explored the physical and emotional experiences of young British women. The documentary earned her a shortlisting for Best Debut Presenter at the Edinburgh TV Festival’s New Voice Awards.

She followed this success with I Don’t Trust My Therapist, another Channel 4 investigation challenging online therapy services in the UK. Jackie hosts Courtroom Drama for A&E Networks, combining true crime and pop culture, and has appeared on Love Island: The Morning After and Boobshare! with breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!, for which she is an ambassador.

Jackie is also a Metro columnist and contributor to ES Magazine, Refinery29, and her own Substack, More Than A Handful. She’s appeared at events for Channel 4, TikTok, and the Edinburgh TV Festival—where she interviewed Whoopi Goldberg.

Beyond media, Jackie works as a confidence coach.

Born and raised in Nottinghamshire, Mani Singh Basi was the first in his family to attend university, graduating with a First in Law in 2012 NTU, followed by a Master's in Law in 2013, and the Bar Vocational Certificate in 2014. He has since built a distinguished career as a barrister specialising in complex international family law.

Mani represents parents and children in cases involving child abduction, forced marriage, domestic abuse, and honour-based violence, often working across jurisdictions around the world. His expertise has been recognised in numerous landmark cases before the High Court and Court of Appeal.

His outstanding contributions to the legal profession have earned him several prestigious national awards, including Legal Aid Barrister of the Year (2024), Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year (2023), and Family Law Legal Commentator of the Year (2022).

In addition to his courtroom work, Mani is the author of three leading books on family law and is widely respected as a legal commentator. He regularly contributes to public legal education through appearances in the media, including on BBC Radio 4 and in The Guardian and The Times.

Molly Reek is a proud first-generation university graduate. She was selected for the Sutton Trust Pathways to Law Programme at NTU. This inspired her to pursue a career in law.

Molly studied LLB Law at the University of Sheffield, graduating with the Thomson Reuters Prize for Law. During her final year, her younger sister Leah tragically died in the Hinckley Road explosion—an event that tested her resilience. Molly returned to complete her exams and later studied the LLM Legal Practice Course at NTU while attending her sister’s murder trial.

Qualifying as a solicitor in 2022, Molly now works as a Private Client Solicitor at Buckles Law in Nottingham, specialising in estate planning and bereavement support. In memory of Leah, who aspired to become a palliative care nurse, Molly has raised over £60,000 for LOROS Hospice through fundraising events. She continues to honour her sister’s legacy through her work and community efforts.

Colin Lamb is a distinguished construction industry leader whose career has spanned over four decades, from his early days as a quantity surveyor to executive director roles at some of the UK’s largest Tier 1 contractors.

Colin completed his HND in Building (Quantity Surveying) in 1981 at NTU and gained RICS Chartered status in 1986. His career began in private practice before transitioning into contracting, where he led major projects in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the USA across sectors including health, defence, pharmachem, education, airports and high-rise residential.

Colin held senior positions at Amec, Kier, and Interserve, where he was instrumental in turning around struggling businesses and delivering complex developments such as HMP Oakwood, Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge - winner of the Sterling Prize - and the King’s Cross regeneration.

Since retiring in 2020, he has focused on travel, wellbeing, and mentoring the next generation — supporting his alma mater, NTU, wherever possible.

Jessica Chapplow has built a remarkable career at the intersection of luxury, e-commerce, humanitarian work, and ethical AI. At just 23, she became one of the youngest Global Directors in WPP’s 50-year history. Her work with leading agencies and brands—Tiffany & Co., Nike, LVMH, and Amazon—has positioned her as a trailblazer in using technology to drive innovation in commerce. In 2022, she was named in the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Europe list for her impact in media and marketing.

Jessica graduated from NTU in 2015 with a BA (Hons) in Fashion Management & Branding and also holds a Master’s in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing. She is a passionate advocate for ethical data use and reducing algorithmic bias. In 2017, she founded HeartificialIntelligence.org to promote responsible AI through better questioning, not just better answers. Her expertise has been sought by global leaders including Google, Vogue, and NASA.

Alongside her professional achievements, Jessica has volunteered with the British Red Cross Emergency Response team for three years, embodying a commitment to innovation and compassion.