LSBU excels at supporting local growth & graduate start-ups
London South Bank University (LSBU) is among the top fifth of English higher education providers for supporting local economic growth and helping graduates start businesses, according to the latest Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) results.
LSBU achieved the highest possible rating, Very High Engagement, for Local Growth and Regeneration and for CPD and Graduate Start-Ups – one of only five universities in its cluster of 32 similar institutions to achieve the top rating in both areas.
The KEF, published by Research England, shows how universities share their expertise with businesses, public services and communities. This ‘knowledge exchange’ supports economic growth through activities such as local economic development, workforce upskilling and commercialising ideas.
Results that reflect real activity
LSBU's results reflect real activity on the ground. The number of new businesses started by LSBU graduates has risen each year, from 48 in 2022/23 to 77 in 2024/25. Over the same three years, LSBU secured around £6.8 million for regeneration and development activity, helping local people, communities and organisations through training, skills bootcamps and other initiatives that boost employability and business growth.
LSBU also performed in line with similar universities across most of the other areas the KEF measures, including High Engagement ratings for Research Partnerships and Working with Business.
Professor Rodney Day, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Global) at LSBU, said: “These results show what knowledge exchange looks like when it works: more of our graduates launching businesses every year, local organisations growing and our expertise used in the communities around us. Achieving the highest rating for supporting local growth and graduate start-ups reflects the work of colleagues across LSBU, and we will keep building the partnerships that make this possible.”
LSBU’s knowledge exchange work brings its academic expertise to real-world challenges. Programmes such as Help to Grow support small businesses to innovate and scale up, while long-term partnerships with industry bring together talent, research, innovation and sector expertise to drive economic growth and societal impact.
The University’s work in sustainable energy, green skills, infrastructure resilience, public health and community wellbeing shows how its research and enterprise contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future.
Professor Day added: “As we continue to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing ones, knowledge exchange remains central to our Connecting strategy and our ambition to deliver meaningful impact for people, businesses, local communities and wider society.”
About the Knowledge Exchange Framework
The KEF looks at seven areas of knowledge exchange, from research partnerships to public and community engagement. It rates each university against all English higher education providers taking part, as well as comparing it with a group, or ‘cluster’, of similar institutions, rather than ranking everyone in a single league table.
As well as helping universities understand their strengths, it helps businesses and other organisations find partners for services such as consultancy, contract research, facilities hire and continuing professional development (CPD).
Find out more about our knowledge transfer partnerships and how they can support your business.