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Vice Chancellor Professor Bob Allison and Ana Botin, Chief Executive of Santander UK

11 Oct 2013

Santander chief visits Loughborough for five-year anniversary

Ana Botin trying out her golf swing

Chief Executive of Santander UK Ana Botin spoke on the UK economy at a special lecture at Loughborough University yesterday to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the agreement signed with Santander, through its Santander Universities Global Division.

Since the partnership began in 2008, over £1million of philanthropic funding has been drawn down to support a wide range of activities and initiatives for students and staff, including scholarships, research and enterprise awards, volunteer schemes, internships and internationalisation projects. To date, nearly 200 scholarships have been funded for students and staff from over 11 different countries.

During the celebrations, Ana Botin signed the renewal of the agreement with Loughborough, pledging support to the University over the next three years.

In her lecture ‘The Future of the UK Economy and the Role of Entrepreneurs’, which was attended by more than 100 guests, Ms Botin spoke about the importance of education, SMEs and banks in creating sustainable economic growth.

Following the lecture Ms Botin, a keen golfer, visited the University’s Sports Technology Institute golf lab where she received expert analysis of her golf swing.

She also met with some of Loughborough’s entrepreneurial graduates - Ross Kemp, Becky White and the team behind Tom’s Fudge - who have benefitted from awards programmes supported by Santander Universities.

Ana Botin, CEO Santander UK said:

“I would like to thank Loughborough University for giving me the chance to speak to some of its students and staff today. The partnership between Santander and the University is going from strength to strength and I have no doubt that the renewal of the agreement will make a big difference to the professional and academic development of many students and researchers at Loughborough.”

Loughborough University Vice Chancellor Professor Bob Allison said:

“It was a great privilege to have Ana Botin on campus to join us in celebrating our five year anniversary with Santander Universities and to present an exclusive lecture in which Ms Botin shared her expertise on Entrepreneurism.

“Loughborough is very proud of the strong and dynamic relationship we have with Santander and we look forward to continuing to work together to enhance the Loughborough experience.”

On the same day Ms Botin met with regional businessmen at an event where the Bank discussed funding opportunities for SMEs. The Bank is currently engaged in a nationwide programme to boost lending to small and medium enterprises to speed up the recovery of the UK economy.

The partnership between the two organisations is managed by Loughborough University’s Development and Alumni Relations Office.

−ENDS−

Notes for editors

Article reference number: PR 13/190

Santander Universities
Through its Santander Universities Global Division, Santander has collaborated with universities for more than 15 years on a unique global initiative which distinguishes it from other national and international banks and financial institutions. The bank supports the Higher Education sector in such areas as teaching and research, international cooperation, knowledge and technology transfer, entrepreneurial initiatives, student mobility and innovation. Santander Universities Global Division maintains a stable alliance with 1,040 academic institutions from America, Asia and Europe.

This is a network where universities from all over the world can meet and engage in dialogue. ‘Santander Universities’ was introduced in the UK in 2007 and the bank is already collaborating with 68 British Universities and Higher Education Institutions, with agreements focused in promoting international exchange, entrepreneurial activities and the mobility of students and researchers within the network.

For more information please contact Carlos Leira, Marketing and Communications, Santander Universities UK, carlos.leira@santander.co.uk

Loughborough University
Through its SantanderLoughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year 2008-09 title, and is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in national newspaper league tables. It has been voted England's Best Student Experience for six years running in the Times Higher Education league, and in recognition of its contribution to the sector, the University has been awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

It is a member of the 1994 Group of 11 leading research-intensive universities. The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching. Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience.

Contact for all media enquiries

Amanda Overend
Public Relations Officer
Loughborough University
T: 01509 223491
E: A.J.Overend@lboro.ac.uk