Innovation and a market-led approach pays dividends
High quality, competitive products and services from our Residential and Commercial Services have won two awards from the College and University Business Officers (CUBO) association.
l-r: Ian Robertson, Sue Pimblett, Melanie Kay of Salto Systems, and Stewart Ross
Leeds has been named as Commercial University of the Year and also took the award for Best Marketing Campaign for its emoji campaign to encourage student membership of The Edge.
Our Residential and Commercial Services – covering student accommodation, campus cafés, sports and conferencing facilities – play a vital role in attracting staff and students to Leeds and in helping to make working or studying here a great experience.
In doing so, we have to compete commercially with the outside world. For example, there are 16 cafés immediately adjacent to campus, over 4,500 private sector bed spaces for students, three budget gyms and three print shops within walking distance. Over the last five years, we have competed more and more successfully, with customer numbers and satisfaction rates rising steadily.
Income generated by the Services’ commercial activities has been reinvested in staff training, facilities (such as the refurbished Refectory and new campus cafés), and services (such as new personal training and fitness courses at The Edge), which in turn has contributed to further success.
The Best Marketing Campaign award recognised the measurable results of the emoji campaign for student membership of The Edge. The Edge now has over 17,000 members, making it one of the largest fitness facilities in the country.
Stewart Ross, Director of Commercial and Campus Support Services, said, “We are really delighted to win these two prestigious awards. By offering students quality, innovative products and services that they need and want, Leeds has been able to truly compete commercially with the outside world.
“Over the past few years we've focussed on embedding innovation and a marketing-led approach right through the heart of the organisation and this has been underpinned by our commitment to create a culture where our staff feel engaged and empowered to deliver a first class experience to all our customers. It’s fantastic to be recognised in this way for the work we do!”
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