NCL Fellows

At NCL we believe education should be open to everyone regardless of their background. In recent years, NCL have elected a number of Fellows. All our Fellows have Lanarkshire roots who come from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, modelling the importance of equality and inclusion across a broad spectrum of industries. Our 2 most recent Fellows include:

Stephen McGuire - Outstanding Contribution to Sport

Paralympic Gold Medallist Stephen McGuire has overcome extreme adversity to become one of Scotland’s most distinguished Paralympians winning Gold in Paris in 2024. Born and brought up in Hamilton, Stephen was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a degenerative muscle-wasting disease which eventually resulted in him using a wheelchair from the age of 12.

Stephen McGuire, a Paralympic gold medallist, wearing formal graduation attire with gold trim and a medal around his neck, seated in a wheelchair. He is smiling and positioned in a well-lit hallway, with blurred figures of graduates in the background.

Maggie Darling - Outstanding Contribution to Social Justice and Female Employability

Founder of the charity Smart Works, Maggie Darling has taken the challenges faced in her early childhood and used them to transform the lives of thousands of women across Britain. Smart Works, a charity offering a comprehensive framework to get women into careers by supplying interview outfits, one-to-one coaching and confidence building and a first wardrobe of clothes for when they start their new jobs.