Many tributes have been paid to philanthropist, financier and Nottingham Forest Club owner Sir Nigel Doughty since his untimely death earlier this month, by those who knew him from the many different walks of life in which he excelled.

Professor Cathy Pharoah, co-director of the ESRC Research Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy Research, who knew him as a philanthropist adds her tribute to the man named last December as one of the top 10 givers in the City by City A.M. newspaper. His recent donations have been estimated at £3.8m. He was also president of The Cranfield Trust and founder of The Doughty Foundation.

"I met Nigel Doughty when he spoke at the launch of the Family Foundation Giving Report 2011, for which he also wrote the foreword. His unassuming, warm and laconic style belied the powerful drive and intelligence which brought him success in many fields.

"His philanthropy was imbued with his personal values, and the deep commitment to social justice which could be also be seen in the different social, political and business aspects of his life. He acknowledged the powerful influence of family example in his own development as a philanthropist, and that ‘he was brought up by his mother to believe that as members of society, we have responsibilities to each other….a core value that was drummed into me before I had money and one which has continued to guide me through my subsequent career.’

"Evidence of those humanitarian and business instincts coming together can be seen in his work through the Cranfield Trust, enabling charities to become more effective through access to voluntary business expertise, and to social investment finance through the venture philanthropy Smart Fund. Nigel Doughty’s extraordinary ability and entrepreneurialism combined with his unpretentious generosity, compassion and quick wit made him a very special modern philanthropist, and we will miss him."

Doughty contributed significant sums to politics and football. A lifelong Labour supporter, he gave the party £3.5m over the last seven years becoming its assistant treasurer. In 1999, he paid £11m to gain control of Nottingham Forest football club. Last year, he announced his decision to step down as chair by the end of the 2011-12 season.

He was co-chair and co-founder of Doughty Hanson and Co. a European private equity firm, based in London. He was born in Newark, Nottinghamshire.