Individuals and organisations across the country were honoured at the Breaking Down Barriers Awards 2025, sponsored by Southeastern Railway, which took place in Parliament today.

With over 35,000 students across state-of-the-art facilities in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds, widening participation, addressing skills shortages and ultimately enabling social mobility is at the heart of what GBS does.

A deep dive into how the higher education sector can shape a future narrative on the contribution it makes to economic and societal progress was the focus of a seminar held in March at Ruskin College, Oxford, part of the University of West London Group.

Through this role I have been able to gain invaluable experiences that have not only significantly boosted my career employability but have also deepened my understanding of the corporate world.

Our #LeadingWithPurpose Spotlight interview series sees organisational leaders explain what leading with purpose means to them and how they strive to make their organisation a force for good in society. In this episode, read how Prof Graeme Atherton, Director of National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) at the University of West London, does so.

Our #LeadingWithPurpose Spotlight interview series sees organisational leaders explain what leading with purpose means to them and how they strive to make their organisation a force for good in society. In this episode, read how Prof Julie Sanders, Vice-Chancellor of Royal Holloway University does so.

Our #LeadingWithPurpose Spotlight interview series sees organisational leaders explain what leading with purpose means to them and how they strive to make their organisation a force for good in society. In this episode, read how Prof Phil Vickerman, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Student Experience at Liverpool John Moores University, does so.

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s a great time to reflect on what’s been an incredible year for the Purpose Coalition.

The recent announcement that the government could restrict the use of levy funding for Level 7 apprenticeships is a real potential setback for employers and the UK economy.

Higher education is a key driver for social mobility. Income gaps in later life are lower between graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers, compared to non graduates. And while it’s not the only route to social mobility, it’s clear that a university education is key.

Hands up if you have a university degree. Now ask yourself the following question: if you were standing at an educational crossroads today, knowing what it took to get where you are in your career, would you still choose to sign up for the student debt that comes with a university education nowadays?

Some issues are so ingrained in society that it is not apparent they are issues at all, despite affecting a significant proportion of the population. One such issue is the lack of comprehensive menstruation awareness in the workplace.

Welcome to the inaugural Purpose Power List, our curated list that celebrates leaders who are #leadingwithpurpose through their dedication to impact-driven work.

The Purpose Lab, from the Purpose Coalition is harnessing the potential of students from universities and colleges by giving them real world work experience in shaping responsible business strategies and social impact initiatives for some of the UK's largest businesses.

The new Labour government has set out ambitious plans for economic growth. Instrumental to the delivery of these ambitions will be ensuring a workforce equipped with the right skills.

As new students set off for universities and colleges across the country, and those graduating this summer begin to make their way in a world of employers and careers, developing the connection between the two worlds is more important than ever.

Universities can play a transformative role, not only in driving innovation and research but also in addressing societal challenges at both local and national levels.