Successful, controversial, unconventional – The College of Law’s chief Nigel Savage has a singular reputation within the profession. Neil Hodge meets the ‘Brian Clough of legal education’

There are not many chief executives whose opening line at an interview would refer to their early career “pulling” turkeys’ genitals. But then, the College of Law’s Nigel Savage is no ordinary interviewee. Straight-talking and ebullient in equal measure, the Nottinghamshire-born chief has a no-nonsense reputation for making sure that plans of action are put into practice and that they pay off.