Shaftesbury PLC renews Westminster scholarship sponsorship until 2026

The company, which owns and manages a 16-acre property portfolio in London's West End, has renewed its sponsorship of the scheme until 2026, which will support another six years of education for three students, and commit it to further funding worth up to £190,000.

The grants are to support Westminster students from disadvantaged economic backgrounds studying on the Real Estate BSc Honours course and is designed to cover both the tuition fees and maintenance costs of living and studying in the capital for two years, alleviating any financial barriers to education.

The four years of additional funding will see three more students receive the help previously given to Nathan Probert in 2021 and Nimra Azam Rajper in 2022. The scholars also have the opportunity of a paid, month-long internship at Shaftesbury following completion of their second year of study.

The partnership will add to the company’s ongoing support towards creating opportunities for marginalised or disadvantaged young people to advance in the property sector – recognised as one of the less diverse industries in the UK.

Talking about the scholarship, Andrew Price, Chair of the Community Investment Committee and Property Director at Shaftesbury, said: “We are delighted to have renewed our partnership with the University of Westminster and to be supporting budding property professionals for another four years.

“We value our local communities and are committed to ensuring we make a positive contribution to the future of the West End. We felt particularly strongly about offering the scholarships this year at a time when families have to adjust their spending habits in the face of the cost-of-living crunch. We hope this grant will make a positive difference, delivering sustainable benefits for scholars and help to break down barriers within the property sector.”

Nathan Probert, a first recipient of the grant, said: “The opportunity this sponsorship has given me is amazing, especially given the context of rising cost of living this year and how expensive living and studying in the capital has become. I’m extremely grateful to Shaftesbury for the faith they showed in me.”

Jordan Scammell, Head of Development at the University of Westminster, said: “It’s wonderful to renew this partnership between Shaftesbury and the University of Westminster, which will provide three more life-changing opportunities to future scholars. Alongside the generous scholarship package, the opportunity to be mentored by Shaftesbury employees on a paid internship will set each of them on the path to a fantastic career in Real Estate. I look forward to tracking their progress.”

To find out how you or your organisation can support students like Nathan at the University of Westminster, please email [email protected].