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Loughborough University extends its partnership with premium sportswear brand Kukri

Loughborough University is thrilled to announce a multi-year contract extension with premium sportswear brand Kukri.

The new agreement – in place until at least 2026 – will see Kukri continue as Loughborough Sport’s Official Kit Supplier with the business providing brand-new match apparel, training, and leisurewear across the whole of Loughborough’s varied sporting offer.

Additionally, Kukri will also create learning opportunities for Loughborough students, including the creation of an Elite Athlete Doctoral Scholarship and further undergraduate and postgraduate student placements and internships.

Jo Simpson, Commercial and Facilities Director for Loughborough Sport said:

“We are delighted to extend our existing partnership with Kukri following a competitive tender process. Kukri and Loughborough share the same values with our vision of innovation, sustainability, and sporting excellence aligning perfectly.

“As well as supplying the very highest standard of sporting apparel, we are thrilled to see further opportunities for our students with the support of Kukri. We can’t wait to see our working relationship flourish yet further.”

As part of the JD Sports Fashion Group, Kukri Sports are part of Textiles 2030 – a commitment to reducing its overall carbon and water footprints with the aim of achieving long-term carbon, water, and circular economy objectives.

Andy Ronnie, Group Executive Chairman of Kukri Sports said:

“At Kukri Sports we are extremely proud to extend our long-term partnership with Loughborough University and the announcement is a big statement for us as a business and as a brand.

“The tender process was particularly challenging as we were competing against some of the leading brands in the sportswear industry, but our ability to provide truly bespoke, innovative product designs positions us as a market leader, with unrivalled performance at the highest level.

“We also pride ourselves in offering students with designs they can be proud to wear as we fully embrace the unique African Violet colourway to fully capture the identity of the University.

“Throughout our partnership with Loughborough, we have truly aligned our shared values of inclusivity, ambition and commitment to both sport and student wellbeing. We are all looking forward to continuing our successful, long-established, partnership in the years ahead.”

Alexandra Owen FCA, Chief Financial Officer, Loughborough University added:

“The extension of the partnership with Kukri is fantastic news for Loughborough Sport and the wider University. Partnerships such as this highlight once again the excellent sporting offer we have on campus and enhance our students’ experience with further educational opportunities.”

For more information on Kukri, visit its website here: https://www.kukrisports.co.uk/

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 22/203

Loughborough 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 has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2021 QS World University Rankings and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2023, 10th in both the Guardian University League Table 2023 and 11th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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