It has been almost a year since Loughborough University joined the Purpose Coalition, which is made up of a combination of some of the UK’s most innovative leaders, Parliamentarians and businesses.

The cross-party of businesses, NHS trusts, UK councils and UK universities aims to share best practices and develop solutions for improving opportunity and social mobility. For the higher education sector, this includes equitable access and participation, through to attainment of fair employability and engagement.

The visit to the East Midlands campus focused on strengthening our ties on social mobility and employability which fall within the University’s EDI aims and its Strategic theme, Vibrant and Inclusive Communities.

During the visit, a roundtable was held. This focused on the University’s three Strategic Themes: Vibrant and Inclusive Communities; Sports, Health and Wellbeing; and Climate Change and Zet Zero – all of which align with the Purpose Goals.

A campus tour also took place, which included a visit to the STEMLab with Manager Chris Harris, as well as the Circular Economy for Medical Devices and Green Hydrogen Labs, led by Professor Shahin Rahimifard and Professor Dani Strickland. This provided the opportunity to highlight how the University’s collective efforts in teaching, research and innovation, and enterprise and employability help to translate the goals and Strategic Themes into action.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings commented: “I’m delighted that we are working together with the Purpose Coalition on improving opportunity and social mobility. Loughborough University is committed to being a diverse and inclusive organisation that improves the lives of our staff and students.”

Professor Charlotte Croffie, Pro Vice-Chancellor for EDI added: “Creating vibrant and inclusive communities depends on our ability to shape the narrative, live our values, and provide the conditions that enable us to attract, retain and develop the best talents from diverse communities, so we can use our strengths to advocate for others and help solve real-world problems.

“Being part of the Purpose Coalition can help us and other partners to expedite our efforts and as such, I would like to thank all or colleagues and students who came together to make this visit a success and for the work they do day in and day out to make our contributions in these areas count.”

Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of the Purpose Coalition, said: "It was brilliant to visit Loughborough University recently alongside Nick Forbes. We witnessed first-hand the University's substantial and growing social impact and its commitment to the community.

"We had some very thought-provoking discussions in the roundtables and saw some of the University's facilities that play a crucial role in innovation, research and solving real-world problems."