A new home for the School of Business and Management
Ground-breaking ceremony marks start of new School of Business and Management building at Queen Mary
The future of teaching and learning at Queen Mary University of London took a significant step forward last week, as a ground-breaking ceremony marked the start of construction on the new School of Business and Management building.
The ceremony, attended by faculty, staff, and local authority representatives, celebrated the beginning of work on a six-storey facility that will provide flexible and inclusive learning spaces. The building, designed by Nicholas Hare Architects and constructed by Willmott Dixon, will also house the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre (LAC), which provides free and accessible legal advice to local communities in east London and beyond. These services are delivered by undergraduate and postgraduate law students, supported by qualified lawyers, enabling students to gain practical experience while promoting access to justice.
Speaking at the event, Professor Colin Bailey, President and Principal of Queen Mary University of London, said: “This project represents more than just bricks and mortar. It is a bold investment in our academic future: a tangible statement of our commitment to excellence in education, research, and innovation, allowing us to deliver our mission of opening the doors of opportunity, transforming lives, addressing inequalities, and making new discoveries.”
About the School of Business and Management
The School of Business and Management (SBM) has been welcoming students into their programmes for the past 20 years. Since opening, it has been committed to supporting the local community, by working with local businesses, charities, community organisations, and entrepreneurs, to improve opportunities for those who live and work in the neighbourhood. In 2021, SBM was recognised by the UK’s Chartered Association of Business Schools as an exemplary business school for its commitment to the public good. In addition, Queen Mary has recently been ranked as the best University in the country for social mobility by the Sutton Trust and SBM is ranked at No.1 of all business schools in this regard. The School currently continues to enhance its existing links with the community, welcoming pupils from across London and promoting social mobility.
The new building for the School of Business Management presents an extraordinary opportunity for Queen Mary to enhance its academic distinction, support its dedication to diversity and inclusion, bolster its academic facilities and resources and to continue serving the local community.
The School has been expanding steadily, with around 3,000 students and 100 academic staff currently, and with further appointments planned for 2022. However, its base in part of the Francis Bancroft building is no longer fit for purpose and does not maximise the School’s potential. A new building would provide an appropriate home for the School, reflecting the momentum of its development and providing the best space and facilities for their faculty and students. In particular, it would bring the greatest benefit to the growing number of local students by providing them with the high quality, flexible study space that they often lack at home.