The University of Westminster has confirmed its position as a pioneering and socially responsible organisational leader by becoming the first London university to be awarded the Social Enterprise Gold Mark. This prestigious accolade, awarded following a rigorous external assessment process, recognises the University as a beacon of social enterprise across a number of business areas central to social enterprise excellence.
Westminster Business School took the lead on the University’s application for the Social Enterprise Gold Mark, working closely with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team and colleagues across the University. Dr Vincent Rich, Head of the School of Organisations, Economy and Society, outlined Westminster’s social enterprise objectives: “As a University we aim to make a difference in the world by harnessing our resources, expertise and partnerships to effect sustainable social change with local, national and global impact. We are a progressive, responsible and sustainable organisation, and this ethos and practice is increasingly embedded in our values, activities and governance practices. We are an exemplar of a social enterprise: an organisation that puts social purpose, positive environmental impact and good governance ahead of financial return.”
The accreditation process highlighted the University’s commitment to health and wellbeing; equality and inclusion; and engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our commitment is demonstrated in areas such as the work of the University’s Creative Enterprise Centre, which supports Westminster students and recent graduates to develop transferable and industry-relevant enterprise and entrepreneurial skills; the University of Westminster Legal Advice Clinic, which provides free legal advice to the public, including in housing law, family law, employment law and immigration; the University’s Polyclinic, serving the health of the local community; the work and impact of the University's four research communities; and the global reach of the University’s alumni, reflected in this year’s Social Impact Award winner and nominees.
The University is already building on the achievement of the Gold Mark, further developing a range of ambitious social enterprise projects. It aims through partnership, training and public engagement to support the social enterprise activities and requirements of communities and organisations in London and beyond, at a challenging moment when the needs of society must feature in any business model. In Autumn 2021 the University will start enrolling students onto an innovative Social Enterprise MSc course intended to train a new generation of social enterprise experts, whose societal engagement and impact will be local and global. Planning is underway for the creation at the University of a Social Enterprise Hub, which will bring even greater focus to and act as a catalyst for teaching, research and knowledge exchange engagement with social organisations in London and beyond, adding value across Westminster’s academic subject areas, the Westminster student experience, and the industry sectors, businesses, employers and organisations with which the University works.
Professor Alexandra Hughes, Deputy Vice–Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability, noted the connection between the University's ambitions for social enterprise and its wider strategy: “Our commitment at Westminster to social enterprise is embodied in our communities of research, our teaching and learning, and our practice. This encompasses health and well-being, inclusivity and diversity, sustainability, resilience, and social and environmental impact. Together, these areas constitute priorities in our agenda for change. We are delighted that these priorities are reflected in and recognised by the award of the Social Enterprise Gold Mark and are honoured to receive it.”
