The University of Westminster received the Highly Commended prize for Best Business to Demonstrate Diversity at the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster (KCW) Awards. These awards recognise the achievements of businesses across all industries in the area.
The award acknowledges Westminster’s commitment to supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) through organisational practices, inclusive education and impactful initiatives. Westminster’s Being Westminster 2022-2029 strategy highlights inclusion as one of the University’s key priorities and has transformed the way the University works together towards EDI.
At Westminster, EDI committees meet quarterly throughout the year and multiple programmes connected to EDI take place in various facets of university life. Each academic school and professional services department has a designated EDI Lead and have supported the development of several colleague networks, including the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Network, the Women of Westminster (WOW) Network, Disability Network, the Q+ Network and the Faith, Spirituality and Belief (FSB) Network.
Alongside these networks, Westminster colleagues have collaborated to develop initiatives to support diversity not only within the University but also across the UK. The University runs annual conferences on Challenging Racisms and on Queering Academia and also has an ambitious programme to support empowerment of students from marginalised backgrounds. Westminster’s Black History Year Programme is committed to celebrating Black achievements all year round and also developed BHY Create, a bespoke coaching programme designed to empower Black students, as well as the BHY Researchers Network, which brings academics together to address the underrepresentation of Black researchers in academia.
The University is committed to supporting diversity in business and inclusive entrepreneurship and has partnered with the London Chamber of Commerce (LCCI) to provide support and advice to their Black Business Association and Asian Business Association.
Westminster has also introduced a range of approaches to widen participation in higher education. These include delivering general and subject-specific aspiration-raising activities with local schools to build awareness of potential study routes, address barriers that may prevent students from going to university and build confidence and a sense of belonging in the academic environment. The University also runs the Westminster Summer School, which gives 16–18-year-old students from underrepresented groups the opportunity to have a residential experience at university and experience taster activities in subject areas with lower levels of participation from students from particular groups.
Jason Window, Chairman of the Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Chamber of Commerce, said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the University of Westminster on being awarded the Highly Commended Winners in the category of ‘Best Business to Demonstrate Diversity’ at the prestigious Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster Business Awards.”
He added: “This accolade is a testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated and nurtured. Their dedication to creating equal opportunities and promoting a culture of respect is not only inspiring but also sets a powerful example for other institutes across the country. I wish them continued success as they champion diversity and excellence in education.”
The award ceremony took place at Porchester Hall on 17 October and was attended by Linsey Cole, Director of Business Engagement at the University, and Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability and Co-chair of Westminster’s EDI Committee and SDG Coordination Group, accompanied by a student and an alumni representative.
On the award, Professor Dibyesh Anand commented: “Our commitment to challenging prejudices and celebrating diversities inspires us to work within, and beyond, the institution to create a culture of inclusion for all. Partnership and intersectional understanding of EDI is at the heart of it all. While immensely pleased about this recognition, we take the opportunity now to invite other organisations to work with us on how to overcome inequities and promote inclusion for all.”
This award and Westminster’s work towards EDI directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 10: Reduced Inequalities and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Westminster.
