The University of Westminster has become the first university in London to be awarded the Social Enterprise Mark.
This internationally recognised accreditation was awarded to the University by the Social Enterprise Mark following an external assessment. The award provides an independent guarantee that the University of Westminster has met sector-agreed criteria and is operating as a genuine social enterprise, committed to creating positive social change.
The Social Enterprise Mark CIC is the international social enterprise accreditation authority, which recognises and builds the capabilities of social enterprises as competitive, sustainable businesses, dedicated to maximising social impact.
The award was recognised at an event on 2 March to celebrate ten years of the Social Enterprise Mark, where a plaque and certificate was presented to members of Westminster Business School by Managing Director of Social Enterprise Mark CIC Lucy Findlay MBE.
The School of Organisations, Economy and Society along with Westminster Business School have taken the lead on the University’s application for the Social Enterprise Mark, working closely with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team. The University hopes to achieve the Gold Mark this year.
Talking about the award, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Andy Norris said: “At Westminster, we have a whole institution holistic approach to social responsibility to enable us as a truly inclusive university to make a measurable change for good to the well-being, health, culture and progression of our colleagues, students, local and internal communities.
“The award of the Social Enterprise Mark, externally assessed and internally recognised, provides an independent guarantee that our university is operating as a genuine social enterprise, committed to creating positive social change. The award also recognises the impact we are making through our contribution towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and a better and more sustainable future for all.”
Find out more about Westminster’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts.