Award-winning CEO and NTU alumna Nicole Crentsil appointed Honorary Visiting Fellow
Nicole will bring her expertise in cultural entrepreneurship, social innovation and community-centred practice to the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 10 September 2026
The School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment (ABDE) is delighted to announce the appointment of Nicole Crentsil as an Honorary Visiting Fellow. This appointment recognises Nicole’s significant contribution to the fields of cultural entrepreneurship, social innovation, and community-centred practice.
A Nottingham Trent University alumna who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Product Design in 2014, Nicole Crentsil is a Ghanaian-British cultural strategist, angel investor and the award-winning CEO of Black Girl Fest Studios – the UK’s leading creative company dedicated to celebrating and advancing Black women and girls through culture, leadership and innovation.
Named one of Forbes’ 100 Women Founders in Europe to Watch, Nicole is recognised for redefining how global brands engage with community and creativity. She has built partnerships with Apple, Nike, Glossier, eBay and the Mayor of London, creating programmes and campaigns that drive equity, representation and impact.
Image courtesy of Nicole Crentsil.
- Strengthen the School's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) through practitioner-led engagement
- Bridge the gap between academic study and the realities of building purpose-driven creative enterprises
- Contribute to curriculum development that reflects the breadth and diversity of the contemporary creative economy
- Provide students - particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds - with visible role models, mentorship, and industry connection
- Support the School's research and impact agenda through collaborative inquiry into cultural programming, community design, and creative entrepreneurship
Speaking about the appointment, Richard Bull, Deputy Dean of ADBE, said:
"We are delighted to welcome Nicole as a Visiting Fellow in ADBE. She follows in the footsteps of our previous Visiting Fellow, Nelly Twumasi-Mensah, whose work helped shape our strategic leadership and approach to EDI.
"Nicole brings a unique combination of expertise in cultural entrepreneurship, community engagement and creative leadership, alongside a strong commitment to supporting and inspiring students. As a highly successful NTU graduate, she is exceptionally well placed to share her experience and insights with the next generation."