As part of its enduring commitment to education, entrepreneurship, and responsible leadership, the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs has continued to deepen its engagement with the University of Westminster through a series of meaningful outreach activities. This partnership represents a natural alignment between two organisations with shared values: the University's nearly two-century dedication to practical, career-focused education, and the Company's mission to support the next generation of business leaders.

 

 

A Guest Lecture on Leadership for the Modern World

Junior Warden Veronica Heaven recently delivered a guest lecture to final-year business students at the University as part of their Leadership and Professional Practice module. Her session focused on contemporary leadership themes, including Inclusion, Equality and Diversity (EDI), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), exploring how these values intersect with entrepreneurial thinking in today's business world.

The lecture addressed the growing recognition that effective leadership requires more than technical competence. Today's business environment demands leaders who understand their broader responsibilities to society, who can navigate complex ethical landscapes, and who recognise that diversity of thought and inclusive practice are not merely compliance requirements but sources of competitive advantage and innovation. For students preparing to enter a professional world shaped by heightened expectations around sustainability, ethical conduct, and social impact, these themes are increasingly central to their development.

Building on a Tradition of Educational Partnership

The lecture formed part of an expanding collaboration between the Company and the University, built on shared values and a mutual interest in supporting the next generation of responsible business leaders. This partnership reflects the broader tradition of livery company engagement with higher education, a tradition that stretches back centuries and has been instrumental in shaping Britain's approach to vocational and professional training.

The City of London livery companies collectively support over 395 schools, academies, colleges, and other educational establishments, contributing more than £81 million annually to charitable causes, with education receiving the largest share of this philanthropic activity. The founding of City & Guilds in 1878, through a partnership between the City of London Corporation and sixteen livery companies, remains one of the most notable examples of this commitment, continuing to influence vocational education to this day. For modern companies like the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, educational outreach represents both a continuation of this heritage and an opportunity to bring contemporary relevance to the livery's philanthropic mission.

Westminster Business School: A Natural Partner

The University of Westminster itself represents an institution with a distinguished history and a forward-looking mission. Founded in 1838 as the Royal Polytechnic Institution, it was the first polytechnic to open in London. Westminster Business School, one of the largest and most experienced providers of business management education in London, draws students from more than 150 countries, creating one of the most culturally diverse learning environments in the United Kingdom.

The School's stated aim, to develop technically accomplished and socially responsible leaders, aligns closely with the Company's own objectives. Westminster's practical, industry-connected approach to teaching, which emphasises real-world application and professional readiness, creates an ideal environment for the kind of mentorship and knowledge-sharing that livery members can offer.
 

 

Mentorship in Action

As part of this initiative, Veronica also contributed to a group mentoring session, offering students practical insights and guidance drawn from her own professional experience. Such mentoring activity sits at the heart of what livery companies do. While livery philanthropy is often measured in financial terms, the contribution of time and expertise, what might be termed intellectual philanthropy, is equally significant. Members serve as school governors, charity trustees, and mentors across the movement, providing guidance that helps bridge the gap between academic study and professional practice.

Speaking about the experience, Veronica reflected: "It was a pleasure to engage with such thoughtful and enthusiastic students. Their commitment to learning and ethical leadership was evident, and it was a privilege to contribute to their development. These sessions are a valuable way for the Company to offer real-world insight while reinforcing our mission to support entrepreneurship, leadership and education."

Connecting Academia with Enterprise

The Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs is proud to support educational initiatives that enable students to connect their academic learning with the demands of professional life. The Company's outreach programme, led by active members of the Livery, offers a bridge between education and enterprise, connecting future leaders with those already making an impact in their fields.

For students at Westminster Business School, many of whom aspire to entrepreneurial careers or leadership roles in innovative organisations, the opportunity to hear from practising entrepreneurs offers perspectives that complement their academic curriculum. The Company's members bring experience across diverse sectors, having invested their own time and resources in building successful enterprises. This lived experience of risk, resilience, and reward provides invaluable context for students grappling with theoretical frameworks and case studies.

Advancing the Company's Mission

This visit also exemplifies the Company's broader mission: to promote entrepreneurship in all its forms, encourage excellence and innovation, and foster community through mentorship and shared knowledge. The Company of Entrepreneurs Trust, the charitable foundation established to support education and entrepreneurship, works alongside these outreach activities to ensure that the opportunities of entrepreneurship reach young people, particularly those from underserved communities who might otherwise have limited access to such guidance.

By supporting institutions such as the University of Westminster, the Company helps nurture an environment in which responsible business practice can flourish. The emphasis on EDI and CSR in Veronica's lecture reflects a recognition that the entrepreneurs of tomorrow must understand their role not merely as wealth creators but as stewards of broader social and environmental wellbeing.

Looking Ahead

The positive response from students and faculty highlights a growing appetite for collaborative work that prepares young people not only for careers in business but for leadership roles grounded in purpose and integrity. For an institution that has been teaching business for nearly eighty years, Westminster continues to evolve its curriculum to meet the changing expectations of employers and society. External engagement from organisations like the Company of Entrepreneurs enriches this educational offering and ensures students benefit from current industry perspectives.

The Company would like to thank all those involved in making the visit a success, including colleagues from the University and members of the Entrepreneurs who contributed their time and expertise. Such partnerships depend on the willingness of individuals to give generously of their knowledge and experience, embodying the spirit of fellowship and civic contribution that has characterised the livery movement for over nine centuries.

This partnership with the University of Westminster represents a valuable and evolving part of the Company's philanthropic outreach. It reflects the very best of our values: heritage and tradition, excellence and integrity, community and fellowship, and innovation and progress. We look forward to further collaboration in the months ahead, building on this foundation to create lasting impact for students, the University, and the wider entrepreneurial community.