University's green business network wins national recognition

The 14th edition of the prestigious Green Gown Awards produced 87 finalist universities across 12 categories. The Awards recognise sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors across the UK and Ireland.

Organised by the Environmental Association Universities and Colleges (EAUC), the awards were presented at the National Railway Museum in York, in conjunction with the University of York and York St John University.

Brighton’s Green Growth Platform was Highly Commended in the Enterprise category, celebrating its work supporting businesses in the low carbon and environmental sectors across the south-east.

Zoe Osmond, Director of the Green Growth Platform, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised nationally. The University of Brighton is known for its commitment to sustainability and the Green Growth Platform is one piece in that jigsaw.

Stewart Ross (left) of the University of Leeds and Helen Browning (right) of the Soil Association presenting the award to the University of Brighton's Investment Platform Manager Mark Riminton

Zoe Osmond

“We work with a diverse range of businesses but all of them have one thing in common – their commitment to protecting the environment for future generations.”

The platform has a network of over 1,000 green businesses from across the south-east. Its mission is to help businesses grow and innovate and facilitate university-business collaborations through R&D projects, student placements and business growth support.

Since its inception in 2014, the platform has helped create 250 new jobs, supported the development of more than 50 new products and services and facilitated 100 student placements and internships.

The Green Growth Platform team currently is developing a new national network called Clean Growth UK which will combine the connections and resources of the Green Growth Platform with two other university-led green business-innovation networks in Liverpool and Solent regions. The network will be launched early next year.