Financial Times UK’s Best Employers 2025 list features University of Westminster as only educational institution

The recognition gives a big boost to the London university that prides itself on inclusivity, sustainability and a wellbeing-focused approach in everything it does, including its work environment.

The FT UK’s Best Employers 2025 list is based on an independent study by market research company Statista into the most highly recommended and evaluated employers in the country. 20,000 employees from all sectors were asked to give their opinions on a series of statements surrounding work-related topics, such as working conditions, salary, potential for development and company image regarding their current employer. They were also asked if they would recommend their workplace to friends and family. 

Participants were also prompted to evaluate other employers in their respective industries that stood out either positively or negatively.

The 500 companies receiving the highest total scores were awarded the UK's Best Employers 2025 badge of honour, where the University of Westminster was the only educational institution scoring high enough to feature.

The University’s current institutional strategy, Being Westminster 2022-2029, names wellbeing, inclusion and sustainable development as its strategic priorities, aspects of which were evaluated in the Financial Times survey.

The University’s strategy stresses the importance of employees “feel[ing] included, safe, healthy and fit for the future and [being able to] achieve their personal and career ambitions”, which are to be realised at all levels of leadership. It states that wellbeing and diversity are prioritised as well as a safe environment where employees are comfortable to bring their whole selves to work. It also shares the commitment to offering clear career development pathways, alongside opportunities for training, mentoring, coaching and experiences that will enable employees to grow and excel. Finally, it gives a nod to flexible and smarter working approaches that help them enjoy their work in a way that it enriches their life, while achieving exceptional results.

Photo carousel: Westminster colleagues having fun at the annual University summer party

Access to free on-site gyms, a generous 35 days’ annual leave allowance in addition to bank holidays and seasonal University closures, generous pension contribution, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, language learning possibilities and a large provision of other employee benefits all contribute to realising these ambitions.

Caragh Molloy, Director of People, Culture and Wellbeing at the University of Westminster, said: "Being named in the top 500 employers in the country as a result of external research fully independent of the University is important feedback for us, acknowledging that all our policies, measures and programmes passionately supporting employee satisfaction are working. We won’t stop here though. We are continuously thriving to do even better and make the University an even more diverse, inclusive, healthy and sustainable workplace where our colleagues can reach their full potential.”

Professor Peter Bonfield, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Westminster, said: “I am pleased that our collective Westminster University Community's efforts have been recognised in the inaugural FT UK’s Best Employers 2025 list. Each of us takes time to look out for and care for each other, to be inclusive, and continually be creative to find a good way together for each of us as colleagues, for our students and those many others we work with. Our foci on wellbeing, inclusion and sustainable development as our top priorities help us to continually improve, and align with our values of being responsible, inclusive and progressive. Go Westminster!”

The University of Westminster currently has 3673 employees, 2130 of whom are academics and 1543 of whom are working in professional services.

Learn more about Careers at Westminster and current vacancies.