The Quintin Hogg Trust (QHT) has awarded a new grant valued at £5.5m to support key programmes at the University for the 2025–26 academic year. To celebrate another year of enriching programmes, the University held its fourth annual QHT Celebratory Event at Westminster’s Marylebone Campus, bringing QHT trustees together with colleague and student beneficiaries, project leaders and governors to find out first-hand about the difference their generous support has made.
The event celebrated the University’s unique partnership with the QHT and how together they work to create a diverse array of projects for Westminster students and colleagues.
The celebration started with a speech by Professor Peter Bonfield, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Westminster, who highlighted the Trust’s unique role as a grant maker. He was joined by Chair of the QHT Andrew Saunders and Chair of the QHT Grants Committee Liz Duff who both spoke at the event.
About the event Liz said: “This is always an inspiring and high energy event and this year’s celebration was a credit to everyone involved and of course the University of Westminster. The trustees were especially impressed with the student participants and presenters, all of whom perfectly demonstrated the impact of the QHT funding and the benefit it provides. This is a key event in the QHT’s calendar as it provides a real insight into the projects funded by the Trust.”
The QHT has funded numerous projects over the years, including the Westminster Skill Share, where students from different subjects offer lunchtime mentoring sessions. Along with this the QHT has supported the Elite Athlete Programme – an initiative that supports the health, wellbeing, performance and capacity of elite athletes. It includes innovative physiological testing and research and offers student internships to enhance their job prospects.
Another project is Reimagining Climate Data at the Science Museum – a programme that enhances students' knowledge of climate science, digital design skills and career potential through cross-disciplinary collaboration and partnerships.
The Gene Editors Network of Excellence for Public Engagement and Global Outreach is also a key initiative available thanks to funding from the QHT. The programme fosters innovation in healthcare, industrial and agricultural biotechnology and environmental sustainability, and supports over 500 students annually at the University through interdisciplinary activities, public engagement and global outreach.
Another key QHT-funded programme is the Transforming Local Food Sustainability through the Westminster Living Lab initiative. The two-year project offers paid employment to 20 students annually, creates student-led dissemination activities, develops campus food growing spaces, expands a food waste pilot scheme and has produced a documentary on multicultural communities and sustainable food practices.
Among the long list of projects is also the Learning Sign Language as a Foreign Language using VR Technology (LearnSLVR) initiative led by Dr Daphne Economou. The LearnSLVR project has created a VR-based educational resource for learning sign languages. It integrates various advanced technologies such as biometric UX, digital video and VR to enhance user interaction and learning.
About the new funding Liz said: “The funding provided by the QHT is important and the entire board are involved in the decisions made to support projects and schemes for the benefit of students in their education, development and wellbeing at the University of Westminster. This year the board approved a grant of £5.5 million for the year 2025-26. This year we have made an award that directly supports the University’s strategic priorities and also has a direct impact on student experience through international work experience and funded PhD scholarships. We are now working with the University on a new fund, the Innovation Fund, which will be launched in September 2026.”
Marius Brodeala, QHT Grant Programme Manager, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Quintin Hogg Trust for their continued support and commitment to our students and community. This new grant for 2025/26 will enable us to deliver another year of innovative, impactful projects that enhance student experience, advance research and build meaningful partnerships. The Trust’s generosity continues to make a profound and lasting difference at Westminster.”
Through its generous funding the QHT directly contributes to a wide number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
To find out how you or your company can make a difference by supporting Westminster students, please get in touch with the Development Team or visit the Donate Westminster site.
Liz Duff and Lynne Berry
Peter Bonfield, Marius Brodeala and Andrew Saunders
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