Congratulations to one of our Assistant Lay Ministers Nigel Coates who has been awarded an MBE for services to Higher Education and to Business.  Nigel founded Northumbria University’s Business Clinic in 2013, developing it from initial concept into one of the most recognised real-world experiential learning initiatives in UK higher education.  Under his leadership, more than 3,000 final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students who study in the University’s Newcastle Business School have worked on almost 800 live consultancy projects for external clients.  The Business Clinic model ensures students can gain practical experience while helping businesses, charities, and social enterprises tackle genuine challenges.Clients valued the consultancy reports developed by students during Nigel’s time as Director at an average of £5,500 each, meaning Northumbria’s Business Clinic provided more than £4.3 million of pro-bono support, with further benefits realised as organisations implemented recommendations over time. He has also advised more than a dozen universities in the UK and abroad on how they can establish their own version.