Honorary graduates

Robert Frankland Little OBE2009

Robert Frankland Little OBE (deceased) - A gifted helmsman in business, in mental healthcare and in promoting education

Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University in recognition of his contribution to education as founding Chair of Aimhigher Nottinghamshire, and to health as founding Chairman of Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust.

The strands of Robert Little's career are remarkably broad, but interconnected. They cover science and engineering, industrial development and business management, the treatment of people with mental disorders and the raising of aspirations among the younger generation to seek out and take up opportunities in higher education.

Robert is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, formerly with Plessey, who worked on advances in telephone equipment. He now chairs his own consultancy. His management skills extend into other sectors, such as the Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust and the Aimhigher Nottinghamshire organisation, where in both cases he was founding chairman.

Under his leadership, Nottingham has set examples that other regions have followed. At several points, his work in business and public service has engaged with colleagues around NTU, through technology research or health and educational programmes, with effective and beneficial results.