Nottingham Trent University has announced the recipients of their 2021 honorary degrees and awards with sportspeople, entrepreneurs, television presents and a Bake Off star set to be recognised.
Those to be given awards and honorary degrees by the university include Chelsea goalkeeper Carly Telford, actor Paul Kaye, human rights activist Dr Champa Patel and entrepreneur Louise Cooke.
NTU vice-chancellor Professor Edward Peck said: “I welcome the opportunity to award honorary degrees in recognition of some incredible people who have made important contributions to this university, and all of whom are former students, and the wider community.
“They will be an inspiration to our graduates when they address them at the graduation ceremonies where they will receive their awards.”
Telford, a youth representative for England, made her senior debut for the Lionesses aged 18 against Scotland; a year later she was part of the England squad travelling to the World Cup.
Aged 23 she signed for Chelsea and later Notts County whilst studying BA Media at Nottingham Trent University.
Telford returned to the Blues in 2017 and has since won multiple leagues, FA Cup and League Cup titles as well as competing at the 2019 World Cup and 2020 Olympics.
Actor and comedian Mr Kaye is best known for his anarchic TV character Dennis Pennis graduated from Trent Polytechnic in 1987 with a 1st class degree in Theatre Design.
He worked in TV comedy throughout the 1990s and was nominated for a number of British Comedy Awards; his television credits include Game of Thrones, After Life, The Stranger and the multi-BAFTA Award winning Three Girls.
Dr Champa Patel is director of innovation for the International Crisis Group, working on climate, tech and economic drivers and aspects of conflict; Ms Cooke, meanwhile, founded the Sharewear Clothing Scheme which provides clothing free of charge to people in economic difficulty, saving pre-and post-consumer clothing waste from landfill.
The university’s Outstanding Alumni awards will also be presented to former students Selasi Gbormitth, Great British Bake-Off semi-finalist in 2016, Amy Voce, a radio presenter at Virgin Radio, Ajay Tegala, wildlife TV presenter, and the eco-artist and designer Sarah Turner.