º£½ÇºÚÁÏ

What are the qualities that define leadership today? In 2026, amid geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological change and the destabilisation of traditional forms of power, this question feels particularly pressing. For Sir John, the answer is rooted in humanity, humility and experience:

“I was the first British official to meet Nelson Mandela after his release, and it was an extraordinary experience. He had such warmth and generosity. For him, you were the only person that existed for the 30 seconds that you were in conversation. That ability to listen, to bring people together, to solve issues through political means, that has been a model for me for the whole of my career.”

Yet Sir John is realistic about the rarity of such figures and the demanding nature of modern leadership. He observes that leadership today is constant and continuous – a 24/7 responsibility shaped by modern media, heightened scrutiny and political pressures.

Against this backdrop, you might be forgiven for thinking that the art of diplomacy is disappearing in the fog of social media rhetoric and headline-grabbing politics, but Sir John disagrees. In fact, he argues that diplomacy and sustained dialogue is increasingly important in a fractured world. Engagement with those whose views are different is not a nice-to-have.

“Diplomacy is not about talking to your friends, it's really about being able to engage with those you disagree with and those with whom you are rivals or competitors, or in conflict with.”

Creating the next generation of leaders

Drawing on his experience in both diplomacy and intelligence, Sir John is keen to demystify what leadership entails and how it can be cultivated in all of us. For him, what matters is understanding your strengths and learning to refine them over time. 

“I found that some of the best diplomats are extroverts, and some of the best intelligence officers are introverts. But the qualities one needs to have a successful career, they're not innate, you can learn them.”

He acknowledges the importance of being able to experiment early in your career. Trying different paths, learning from failure and gaining new experiences all provide the groundwork on which later successes can build. This outlook is closely tied to Sir John’s own formative years at Nottingham, where he gained valuable experience both inside the classroom and beyond. 

“One of the best things I did at university was I got involved in student politics. It gave me a taste for argument, for representation, for working out how to organise things for the benefit of others. I strongly believe that being involved in something outside your degree is a really important part of your education experience.”

Engagement outside the classroom, whether through societies, sport or volunteering roles, provide experiences which help develop judgement, confidence and empathy.

“I think that modern leaders now face a greater demand on empathy and self-awareness. There's much more two-way communication required – leaders are expected to be an individual that people look up to, respect, admire and want to emulate.”

The value of a university education

For many teenagers, the decision to attend university today is different to what it once was, and Sir John reflects candidly on how attitudes to higher education have changed. When he was a student, going to university was sometimes taken for granted – seen as a period of personal development before joining the workforce.

Today, with rising costs and highly competitive global job markets, expectations are understandably sharper. He views this shift as justified but remains unequivocal about the enduring value of a university education. Higher education, he argues, is the starting point for becoming an adult, providing both the intellectual and personal foundations to lean upon for a lifetime.

“I wasn't a perfect student when I was here, I was rather lazy for the first 18 months, and took it all for granted. But you learn lessons in life that way and it's important to know when you’ve got to really address a challenge and perform in order to get the degree which will then lead you on to the sort of job that you really aspire to.”

For Sir John, one of our university’s defining strengths is our identity as a tri-campus university, being the first UK institution to establish fully-fledged campuses in Malaysia and China. In a time of global disharmony, it’s an attribute which is of particular strategic value, according to Sir John, providing staff and students the opportunity to work and learn in different political and cultural environments.

“Having a footprint in more than one country gives students and academic staff the opportunity to work in a very different environment, which enriches the university here when they come back.”

Preparing for tomorrow

Returning to the central purpose of his visit to campus and how we best prepare the next generation to thrive, Sir John reflects on the importance of mindset over certainty. Careers rarely follow a neat or predictable route, but through hard work and support from mentors, new possibilities emerge over time. 

“My advice to students is to keep an open mind about what's happening around you and listen to different perspectives. I think an openness to ideas is really important.”

“We’re living in a turbulent world, with a great deal of change taking place. But there are certain human qualities which remain indispensable. Being well-educated, well-judged, knowing how to distinguish between truth and falsehood or between information and opinion. I have no doubt that Nottingham will continue to produce graduates which embody these values and make their mark.”

Sir John’s message is not one of easy answers but the importance of preparation, self-awareness and engagement. It’s a reminder that universities matter not simply for what they teach but for the intellectual habits they instil and the opportunities they provide.

As Sir John’s own journey illustrates, a Nottingham education provides the academic grounding, confidence and openness to engage with a fast-changing world – and in time, to help shape it. And as he passes the baton to the next generation, we reflect that the role of university is not to predict the future, but to prepare future leaders to meet it with sound judgement, confidence and purpose.