Famous alumni

From Nobel prize winners to Olympic gold medallists, leading edge scientists, international politicians, journalists, novelists and actresses, Nottingham’s alumni continue to make significant contributions in their chosen fields all over the world.

DH Lawrence

Born in Nottinghamshire, UK, in 1885, the novelist DH Lawrence is Nottingham's most famous former student. For more information, visit the DH Lawrence website.

Noteworthy graduates

More noteworthy graduates include:

• Dr Stewart Adams OBE, Pharmacologist, created the painkiller Ibuprofen 
• Sir John Sawers is the head of MI6
• Andrew Witty is the Chief Executive of GlaxoSmithKline

Nobel winners

2003 saw The University of Nottingham gain recognition with two major awards:

• Alumnus Sir Clive Granger won the 2003 Nobel Prize for Economic Science
• staff member and Emeritus Professor, Sir Peter Mansfield, won his for pioneering work in developing Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Arts and the media

Nottingham Alumni have also been active in the arts and media. Former University of Nottingham students include:

• Ruth Wilson, actress ─ nominated for BAFTAs and Golden Globe Awards for her portrayal as Jane Eyre in the BBC mini series
• Haydn Gwynne, actress ─ well known for her roles on the stage and TV
• Helen Willetts ─ meteorologist and broadcaster
• Jim Moir – Head of BBC Radio 2
• Matthew Bannister ─  broadcaster and former BBC Head of Production
• Jeff Randall ─ the BBC’s former Business Editor and now presenter of Jeff Randall Live on Sky News

Nottingham alumni have been active in media ownership

• Lord Hollick is former CEO of United News and Media
• Sir Robert Phillis is former Chief Executive of the Guardian Media Group and Deputy Director-General of the BBC

Sports

Beijing Olympic gold and bronze medalist Tim Brabants and Olympic silver medalist David Florence, both canoeists, head a sporting alumni elite which includes:

• Deng Yaping - former international table tennis champion and Chinese Sports Personality of the Century
• Campbell Walsh - World canoeing champion
• Dr Kristan Bromley - World and European bobsled champion
• Brian Moore - former England and Lions hooker
• Roger Lewis - Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union