Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday (2 November) to celebrate the accolade of The Times & The Sunday Times University of the Year. It was fantastic to see so many colleagues enjoying time together in what was probably our largest gathering of staff in person since the pandemic.

Over 250 colleagues filled out the Claverton Rooms to catch up and enjoy University a cappella band Aquapella who bookended reflections, congratulations and thanks from Professor Ian White, Vice-Chancellor; Professor Julian Chaudhuri, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education); Professor Cassie Wilson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience); and Alexander Robinson, SU President.

Thank you also to colleagues in our portering and AV teams who created such a welcoming space, and the catering team who served up a spectacular spread of refreshments. There was tea, coffee and cakes for all - topped off by special edition commemorative scones to mark our achievement.

Professor Ian White, Vice-Chancellor, said: “This wonderful accolade reflects the determination of our community to put excellence in education, research and student experience at the heart of our endeavour.

“Our achievements took place against a backdrop of challenges, none more so than navigating the pandemic together. However this brought out the best of us in so many ways, where time and again the contributions and achievements as individuals and an organisation, far too numerous to mention, made such a great difference to so many in our University community and elsewhere.

“Community is at the heart of Bath. We are fortunate to have you working here and I could not be more proud of what we’ve achieved together.

“I believe, whatever lies ahead of us, this focus will help us to support one another and to achieve even more together in the future. Congratulations and thank you.”