UCG is top college in London for second year running as 100 Most Inclusive UK Workplaces are revealed

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

United Colleges Group is a Further Education college recognised for its sector-leading commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Below are some key facts that reflect both our organisational culture and the diversity of our community:

UCG is the highest-ranking London college to feature in the National Centre for Diversity’s (NCFD) Top 100 Inclusive UK Employers and is currently placed 30th nationally. This recognition highlights the sustained and meaningful steps we have taken to embed inclusive practice at the heart of our operations.

Our core values, inclusion and belonging, compassion, and empathy, shape our culture and guide how we work with students, colleagues and partners.

Our workforce reflects strong gender representation, with 59% female and 41% male staff. Among our students, the gender balance is similarly representative, with 52% female and 48% male learners.

UCG is a highly diverse organisation. 54% of our staff identify as being from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority backgrounds. Our student population is even more diverse, with 62% from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds - significantly higher than the national Further Education average of 20.9%.

5% of staff have declared a disability, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where colleagues feel supported to disclose and access appropriate adjustments.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is embedded across the organisation. All staff complete mandatory EDI training, and students participate in dedicated sessions to promote awareness, understanding and respect.

Together, these measures demonstrate UCG’s ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

Please see the documents below for further information:

United Colleges Group (UCG) has been named as one of National Centre for Diversity’s (NCFD) Top 100 Inclusive UK Employers for the second year running.

Celebrating best practice in Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement, the publication of NCFD’s 2025 Top 100 Most Inclusive UK Employers celebrates the remarkable achievements of organisations who have committed to building inclusive cultures.

UCG (formed of City of Westminster College (CWC), the College of North West London (CNWL) and the Cockpit Theatre) is the top London college to feature in the top 100, placing 30th in the latest annual list which recognises organisations that have taken strong steps to embed inclusive practices into the core of their operations.

The Top 100 Index highlights employers across various sectors, including construction, education, charities and public service. The rankings are based on employee feedback from organisations that work towards the NCFD’s Investors in Diversity standard.

Nadia El Atrash (Interim Head of HR), Bilal Bobat (Interim Vice Principal) and Stephen Davis (CEO and Group Principal) also received individual awards in recognition of ‘outstanding performance, dedication, and commitment to excellence’.

Solat Chaudhry, Chief Executive at the National Centre for Diversity, said: “I send my warmest congratulations to United Colleges Group on successfully reaching number 30 in the Top 100 Most Inclusive UK Employers Index 2025. 

“The inspiring organisations that make the Top 100, demonstrate excellent levels of employee retention and recruitment and clearly demonstrate how they value and respect the people that work for them.

“What better than to be recognised by peers and those travelling in the same direction towards the common goal of Fairness in the workplace. It is hugely motivational.”

Stephen Davis, CEO and Group Principal, United Colleges Group, said: “We are grateful to once again be named among the Top 100 Inclusive UK Employers.

“This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion across United Colleges Group. My thanks go to every member of our community who works each day to make UCG a place where everyone feels valued and supported.”

This latest accolade is further recognition of UCG’s aim to create a people-first culture that is inclusive, fair and responsive.

Earlier this year, the group was officially accredited as a Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard (GWS) employer at Excellence level, and also won Investors in Diversity Gold from the National Centre for Diversity, becoming the only college in London to hold this status.

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