Nottingham Trent University awards honorary degrees at Summer Graduation 2026

The beneficiaries include acclaimed actress Dorothy Atkinson, Sunday Times bestselling author Kim Slater and award-winning designer Asher Erskine.

Other honourees include leaders from the arts, education, local community, retail and business and law.

Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor and President at Nottingham Trent University, said: “Congratulations to all our graduates, and to all our honorary recipients. Graduation is a moment to celebrate the dedication, resilience and ambition that have brought our students to this point, while looking ahead to the opportunities that await them. It is also a privilege to recognise a remarkable group of honorary graduates and outstanding alumni whose achievements span the arts, education, business, law, public service and community. Through their work, they have made a lasting impact on society and continue to inspire future generations.”

Receiving an honorary degree:

Dorothy Atkinson is an acclaimed actress whose distinguished career spans film, television, theatre, and radio. Born and brought up in Nottinghamshire, she has built an extensive body of work recognised for its versatility, depth and consistent excellence across more than three decades in the performing arts.

Her screen work includes major roles in both British and international productions. Recent appearances include DCS Carol Shaw in the BBC series Ludwig starring David Mitchell, and Lady Coote in Netflix’s The Seven Dials Mystery. She is widely recognised for her performance as Pauline in the BAFTA winning BBC comedy Mum, written and directed by Stefan Golaszewski.

Dorothy has frequently collaborated with director Mike Leigh, appearing in Topsy-Turvy, All or Nothing, Peterloo and receiving BIFA and National Film Award nominations for her role in Mr Turner alongside Timothy Spall. Her film credits also include Saltburn directed by Emerald Fennell and The Electrical Life of Louis Wain directed by Will Sharpe.

Her extensive television work includes The Gold, Stonehouse, Harlots, Without Sin, Pennyworth, The Long Shadow, Pistol, Inside No. 9, and Call the Midwife.

In theatre, she began her career with Alan Ayckbourn at the Stephen Joseph Theatre and has since performed frequently with the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, in the West End and on Broadway. She is also a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4 drama and as a narrator for documentaries. Dorothy trained at Clarendon College Nottingham and the Guildford School of Acting.

Kim Slater is the number one Sunday Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five psychological crime thrillers, with over three million copies of her books sold worldwide. Writing as K L Slater, she has built an international readership through her gripping, suspense-filled novels, published by leading publishers including Penguin Michael Joseph, Bookouture and Audible.

Born and raised in Nottingham, Kim’s route to literary success was anything but conventional. After years of balancing family life and a career as a freelance accountant, she returned to education as a mature student, enrolling on Nottingham Trent University’s BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing degree at the age of 42. She graduated with a First-Class degree before completing an MA in Creative Writing with Distinction.

During her studies, Kim developed the manuscript that became Smart, her first Young Adult novel, which was nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Medal. She went on to write four Carnegie-nominated Young Adult novels for Macmillan Children’s Books under the name Kim Slater.

Today, Kim is recognised as one of the UK’s most successful contemporary thriller writers. Her work often draws inspiration from Nottinghamshire and explores the extraordinary secrets hidden within ordinary lives. She lives with her husband in a small Nottinghamshire village.

Daniel Maher has 43 years of experience in the construction and public service sectors, building a distinguished career focused on regeneration, partnership working, and community impact. He is currently Managing Director of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Alternative Service Delivery Models, Arc Partnership Ltd and Via East Midlands Ltd, Chief Operations Officer of SCAPE Group Ltd, and Chairman of Lungfish Architects Ltd.

Daniel began his career with Sheffield City Council in 1983 as a management trainee, developing expertise across construction, highways, facilities management, and environmental services. Specialising initially in human resources and training, he later became Head of Human Resources for the Council’s Direct Service Organisations, where he pioneered some of the earliest social value initiatives in public sector construction contracts.

He later held senior leadership roles with Kier Group before joining Arc Partnership Ltd in 2016, and later took on additional responsibility for Via East Midlands Ltd. Under his leadership, Arc and Via have delivered major investment and infrastructure projects across Nottinghamshire while championing local employment, supply chains, and community regeneration.

A strong advocate for education and skills development, Daniel has also developed close strategic partnerships with Nottingham Trent University, reflecting his long-standing commitment to creating opportunities for future generations.

Sian Hampton served as Chief Executive Officer of Archway Learning Trust from 2017 to 2025, leading a vibrant and diverse educational community across Nottingham and Derby. Under her leadership, the Trust grew from a single school into a thriving family of eight secondary and three primary schools, educating over 9,000 pupils.

During her tenure, Sian led significant school improvement, including transforming schools from Inadequate and Requires Improvement to Good, overseeing major capital development projects, and expanding the Trust through new schools and academies. Archway schools now include nationally recognised provision, with Bluecoat Wollaton Academy achieving World Class Schools status.

Alongside her role as CEO, she has held national leadership positions including National Leader of Education, RISE Advisor for the Department for Education, Ofsted Inspector, and Regional Advisory Board member. She has also chaired Schools Forum in Nottingham City and served on diocesan education boards.

In recognition of her contribution to education, Sian was awarded an OBE in 2025.

Paul Southby was born and raised in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and was the first person in his family to attend university. He has been a commercial dispute resolution partner at the law firm Geldards LLP in Nottingham since 2012 and will join Roythornes LLP in Nottingham on 14 July. He is widely recognised for his significant contributions to the region’s legal, cultural, and economic life.

Paul is a graduate of the University of Sheffield and completed his professional legal training at the College of Law in Chester. He began his legal career in London, training and practising in firms based in Lincoln’s Inn and Fleet Street, before moving to Sheffield and later relocating to Nottingham in 1989. He has since held partnership roles in several national law firms and served as Regional Director of the CBI in the East Midlands from 2008 - 2010.

Alongside his legal practice, Paul has played a major role in regional development and civic leadership. He is Chair of the Advisory Board at Nottingham Business School and Chair of Nottingham Partners, supporting inward investment through Invest in Nottingham. He also serves on the board of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, which he previously chaired.

Paul has long supported the arts and environmental causes, including as Chair of Broadway Cinema in Nottingham’s Lace Market and as a trustee of the Clean Rivers Trust. He served as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 2022/23.

Ornella Barra is one of the most influential leaders in global healthcare, pharmacy and retail. Born in Italy and now a citizen of Monaco, she graduated in Pharmacy from the University of Genoa and began her career as a practising pharmacist before acquiring her own pharmacy and founding pharmaceutical wholesaler Di Pharma in 1982.

Through a combination of entrepreneurial vision, strategic acquisitions and international expansion, Ornella helped build one of the world’s leading healthcare and pharmacy businesses. Her leadership played a pivotal role in the creation of Alliance UniChem in 1998, the merger of Alliance UniChem and Boots in 2006 to form Alliance Boots, and the subsequent merger with Walgreens in 2014, creating Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Following the formation of The Boots Group in 2025, Ornella was appointed Chief Executive Officer and, in 2026, became Chair of the Board of Directors. She also chairs the company’s Environmental, Sustainability and Governance Committee.

Alongside her executive career, Ornella has held numerous international board and advisory positions and is a recognised advocate for healthcare innovation, leadership and education. She is an Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham’s School of Pharmacy and continues to contribute to the advancement of healthcare and business education worldwide.

Robin Foale is an experienced executive and non-executive director with a distinguished career spanning more than 25 years in banking, business leadership and governance. Beginning his career with Barclays after leaving school at 18, he progressed through a range of leadership roles before joining Santander UK, where he became Managing Director of Business Banking, leading 3,500 colleagues across 400 sites nationwide.

Since stepping back from executive leadership, he has built a portfolio career focused on ethics, responsible leadership, social impact and higher education. He serves in a number of advisory and non-executive roles across the charity, education and business sectors, including as a Visiting Fellow at Nottingham Business School and an Executive Partner with the University of South Australia.

A strong advocate for lifelong learning, Robin began his own higher education journey mid-career while working in senior management, demonstrating the transformative power of education at every stage of life. He remains committed to developing future leaders and supporting organisations that create positive social and economic impact.

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

Asher Erskine is an award-winning multidisciplinary designer with more than a decade of experience spanning brand, digital, and industrial design. He is currently Head of Design at E1 Series, the world’s first all-electric raceboat championship, where he leads global creative strategy, brand development, and high-impact campaigns for one of the most innovative start-ups in international sport.

Since joining E1 in its early stages, Asher has played a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s global identity, building the internal design function from the ground up and overseeing creative delivery across international race locations including Monaco and Miami. His work has featured in Forbes, the BBC, Sky and Robb Report, and has included collaborations with high-profile team owners such as Tom Brady, Will Smith, Rafael Nadal and LeBron James.

An NTU Alumni Fellow, Asher is also an international speaker on design and innovation, sharing insights into creativity, leadership and emerging technologies. Alongside his design career, he is the author of the Worlds of Wisdom book series, stocked in leading bookstores worldwide.

His previous experience includes roles with PANGAIA, Dentsu, The Drum, AL_A, and the Milan-based luxury design studio Sawaya & Moroni during his placement year at NTU.

Harry Atkinson is an engineering professional, civic leader, and Nottingham Trent University alumnus whose achievements demonstrate the power of combining technical expertise, public service, and lifelong learning.

After leaving school, Harry began his career through an apprenticeship in the energy sector, gaining valuable practical experience while developing his technical skills. He later returned to education at Nottingham Trent University’s Mansfield campus, successfully completing a Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He is currently progressing towards a BSc degree, reflecting his commitment to continuous professional development.

Alongside his studies and career, Harry has shown an exceptional dedication to public service. In 2023, at the age of 23, he was elected as a councillor, before becoming Deputy Mayor and, in 2025, the youngest-ever Mayor of Erewash at just 26 years old.

As Mayor, Harry has championed community engagement, local businesses, skills development, and opportunities for young people. An active Scout leader, he is passionate about encouraging wider participation in civic life and demonstrating that leadership is accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Through his work in the energy sector and his civic leadership, Harry continues to promote the importance of education, skills, sustainability, and community service, serving as an inspiring role model for current and future generations.

Dr Allan Njanji is an award-nominated filmmaker, researcher, and campaign strategist whose work focuses on refugee rights, migration policy, and the role of lived experience in shaping social change. His work has been widely recognized for raising awareness and contributing to public understanding of migration and refugee experiences.

A graduate of Nottingham Trent University, Allan holds a PhD in Refugee Studies and a Masters degree in Documentary Journalism. His academic research has explored refugee agency, voice, and self-representation, reflecting his commitment to ensuring that people with lived experience play a central role in shaping policy, research, and public discourse.

Alongside his research, Allan has held communications and leadership roles across the refugee sector, including positions with Notts TV, Nottingham Refugee Forum, and Nottingham Trent University. He currently serves as Regional Campaigns Manager at Asylum Matters, a national charity advocating for fair and compassionate asylum policy in the UK.

Recognised nationally and internationally for his contributions, Allan was named one of The Big Issue’s 100 Changemakers of 2026 and has contributed to global discussions on migration, including speaking at the Humanitarian Congress Berlin.

Laura Temple is a solicitor and legal aid specialist whose career has been dedicated to improving access to justice for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. A graduate of Nottingham Law School, she studied Law with Criminology at Nottingham Trent University, completing a year-long placement with a local solicitors’ practice that sparked her passion for legal aid work.

During her time at NTU, Laura was an active volunteer, serving as a course representative, student ambassador and participant in legal outreach initiatives. Her commitment to supporting others continued after graduation while studying the Legal Practice Course, alongside working for Remedi, a charity supporting restorative justice programmes for young offenders.

Following qualification as a solicitor, Laura built extensive expertise in housing law, progressing from junior caseworker to Legal Aid Agency supervisor. She later played a leading role in establishing North Yorkshire Citizens Advice and Law Centre, helping to address the shortage of legal aid provision in the region. Working with colleagues and sector specialists, she helped create a new legal service from the ground up, securing legal aid contracts in housing and immigration.

Now Director of Legal and Specialist Services, Laura continues to champion access to justice and community-based legal support. In 2024, her team was shortlisted for a Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award, recognising its outstanding contribution to the sector.

Dominic Portman is an entrepreneur and technology innovator whose work focuses on the future of digital retail and online marketplaces. A graduate of Nottingham Trent University, he completed a First-Class Honours degree in Psychology in 2012, combining his interest in human behaviour with a passion for enterprise that first developed through NTU’s business incubator, The Hive (now NTU Enterprise).

While still a student, Dominic launched a part-time fancy dress business, gaining hands-on entrepreneurial experience that helped lay the foundations for his future career. After graduating, he went on to found Boulevard, a retail technology company that connects brands, distributors and digital marketplaces through an innovative platform and operating model.

Under Dominic’s leadership, Boulevard has achieved annual sales of more than £9 million and created employment opportunities for more than 300 people. The company continues to innovate, including through the development of a platform designed to connect emerging digital marketplaces with access to more than one million products.

Dominic’s achievements have earned national recognition, including winning Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year for the Midlands at the 2023 Great British Entrepreneur Awards. He has also contributed to wider discussions on UK business, entrepreneurship and digital trade, including participation in business events at 10 Downing Street and hosting roundtable discussions at major UK political conferences.

Other recipients of the University’s Outstanding Alumni Awards include; Simon Calvert, Founder and Managing Director of Future Today Retail Consultancy; Sophie Howarth, Prestige Retail Design Designer at Coty; Joe Mairura, Founder and CEO of Imara Development Programmes Limited, Peter Binks, volunteer and carer advocate, Deladem Ohenewaa Mensah-Boateng, PhD Candidate at Nottingham Law School and Sunita Passi, founder of Tri Dosha and creator of The Passi Method™.

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