United Colleges Group (UCG) are celebrating after being crowned the Diversity & Inclusion Champion at the Westminster Business Council Awards.
The gala event on Thursday, October 19 celebrated the best of business throughout London and beyond, recognising companies and individuals across 10 areas.
And UCG triumphed in the Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award category as they saw off stiff competition from the other nominees: 01 Founders, ATFC Ltd, Capital Arches Group (t/a McDonald’s), David Miller Architects, Oliver Sanderson Group PLC and Ramis-Ark Global.
UCG mark and celebrate a number of equality, diversity and inclusion events throughout the year, including Black History Month (October), International Men’s Day (November 19), Holocaust Memorial Day (January 27), LGBTQ+ History Month (February) and International Women’s Day (March 8).
The group are dedicated to promoting values which ensure that learners develop a strong sense of social and moral responsibility.
We are proud to help prepare students for life in modern Britain by developing an understanding of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
As well as winning this prestigious title, UCG were also delighted to make the final for The Sustainability Award, just narrowly missing out.
Stephen Davis, Group Principal and CEO of the United Colleges Group, said: “We are thrilled to win to the Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award, and also to be shortlisted for The Sustainability Award.
“These accolades by Westminster Business Council are fantastic recognition of the hard work and dedication from our staff to ensure education is accessible to all.”
Claire Collins, Director of People & Communications at UCG, added: “It is fantastic for UCG to win this award in recognition of all the progress made to make UCG more inclusive and representative of the community we serve.”
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
