South London colleges and universities unite to boost skills, jobs and innovation
London South Bank University (LSBU) Group has joined a bold new partnership of leading South London further and higher education institutions to strengthen collaboration and expand opportunities for local people and businesses.
Ten universities and colleges have come together under the South London Colleges and Universities Partnership, formalised through a new Memorandum of Understanding. The collaboration aims to align research, skills provision and employer engagement to help residents progress into high‑quality jobs and to support businesses to innovate and grow.
The partnership follows LSBU Group’s recently launched strategic plan, Connecting, which brings together employers, local authorities and community organisations to shape skills pathways and drive inclusive growth. Both initiatives reinforce LSBU’s commitment to working collaboratively across South London to improve education‑to‑employment routes and to widen opportunity for local communities.
The new alliance will work closely with the South London Partnership – the cross‑borough collaboration between Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton – to deliver the ambitions set out in BIG Ambition: South London Growth.
South London is home to a £38bn economy, 55,000 businesses and 550,000 jobs and the agreement is designed to match that scale and potential.
Priority growth sectors include health and life sciences, digital and creative industries, the visitor economy and green technologies. By connecting existing expertise – from NHS‑linked research to creative clusters and fast‑growing low‑carbon enterprises – the partners aim to create clearer routes for collaboration and investment.
The collaboration aims to align research, skills provision and employer engagement to help residents progress into high‑quality jobs and to support businesses to innovate and grow.
A defining feature of the partnership is its commitment to stronger collaboration between further and higher education. By bringing together FE strengths in technical and community‑based learning with universities’ research and advanced study, the partnership will widen participation, meet local skills needs more effectively and create smoother pathways for learners and employers alike.
In a joint statement, leaders of the participating institutions said: “Our universities and colleges are engines of innovation, growth, and learning, creating opportunity right across the region, both enriching and being enriched by the economic, social and cultural life of South London’s diverse communities.
“Each institution brings its own strengths and together our global, national and regional networks give us the power to create real impact. By working as one, right alongside our partner South London Boroughs, we can amplify that impact for everyone who lives, works, studies and is vested in South London.”
Paul Kett, LSBU Group Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor, added: "At London South Bank University Group, we recognise our crucial role in driving local growth and opportunity. The South London Colleges and Universities Partnership builds on this by connecting 10 great institutions with a shared commitment to skills and innovation – making it easier for residents to access great jobs and for employers to find the talent and expertise they need.
"As an established provider of college and university education in South London, we know the power of connected pathways, and this partnership will strengthen our impact and directly benefit South London’s communities and businesses in the months and years ahead."
Councillor Gareth Roberts, Chair of the South London Partnership and Leader of Richmond Council, welcomed the initiative: “South London already has outstanding universities and colleges. This agreement brings them together with a clearer focus and a stronger shared voice. It means better coordination on skills, closer links with employers and a clearer offer to investors. Most importantly, it helps local people access the training that growing sectors demand – making it easier to turn talent into opportunity.”
The partnership builds on the success of BIG South London, through which institutions have worked together since 2021 to support over 1,000 businesses, create more than 1,000 jobs, develop over 150 new products and services, and generate more than £40m in additional economic value.
Deputy Mayor for Business, Howard Dawber, welcomed the partnership, highlighting the important role universities and colleges play in boosting productivity, supporting London’s longterm competitiveness and delivering on the Mayor’s ambitions set out within the London Growth Plan.
He said: "It’s great to see colleges and universities work hand-in-hand to boost opportunity, investment and growth across South London. This supports our commitment to building a more integrated skills and employment system, as outlined in the Mayor’s Inclusive Talent Strategy, growing our economy whilst ensuring Londoners can access the career and training pathways they need."
A formal signing ceremony will take place later this year, marking the official launch of the South London Colleges and Universities Partnership.