The events industry demonstrates exceptional creative talent, yet fails to reflect the diverse communities it serves.
Here's the breakdown
Missed Talent
A survey into events sector professionals found 3.49% identified as Black, 6.31% Asian/Asian British, 5.15% Mixed and 2.99% outside scope of the survey.*
Limited Opportunities
Many of our students face a range of material challenges and risks to equality of opportunity with 58% coming from deprived backgrounds.**
Recent Greenwich Students’ Union (GSU) research shows that 39% of our students work over 20 hours a week and 19% work more than 40 hours.***
Stagnant Progress
Recent reports indicate that 25% of events industry professionals come from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
However, this figure masks a more complex reality – actual BAME representation remains significantly lower when examined more closely.****
*FastForward15, Research Paper Diversity & Inclusion 2020 // **University of Greenwich Access & Participation Plan 2025/6 // ***Office for Students 'Access and Participation Dashboard- University of Greenwich // ****Live Recruitment, Diversity Report 2025
What is REACH?
The Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage Events Management Scholarship was created by a group of leading events professionals, who were keen to deliver measurable change to the sectors they love. The scholarship has been established to increase diversity in the events, hospitality and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sectors as less than 10% of Event professionals are from Black, Asian or underrepresented Minorities.
The University of Greenwich is a community with no limits on where you come from, and no limits on what you can do next. Since starting out in 1890, we have provided a springboard for a global network of over 250,000 undergraduates, postgraduates, tutors, researchers, alumni, and partners. We draw inspiration from our historical locations but aren’t afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and be a modern university. Our mission is to create opportunities, build partnerships and deliver impact. Our values are to be inclusive, collaborative, and impactful. We pride ourselves on providing effective education and support that helps students to mitigate against risks to equality of opportunity and to succeed.
The University of Greenwich is proud to announce a new collaboration with REACH as a formal partner of the institution.
"We're delighted to partner with REACH Events Management Scholarship to create meaningful opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds in the events and hospitality industry. This collaboration reflects our commitment to inclusive education and ensuring all our students have the support and connections they need to build successful careers in their chosen fields."
Mary Ivers Associate Director for External Engagement
Why University of Greenwich?
Events Management and Innovation, BA Hons
Our Events Management and Innovation BA Hons programme was newly validated for 2025 delivery with a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and digital technologies, supporting students in understanding event industry trends and building relevant skills and competencies for the fast-changing event industry environment.
A first-class education
Our programme was recently the first programme to receive a new accreditation by the Institute of Event Management; we are also accredited by the Chartered Management Institute and is endorsed by the Association of Event Venues.
Through these accreditation and endorsements, our programme curriculum has been assessed to ensure that our modules, content and learning outcomes address the current trends, skills, needs and requirements of the events industry. We are also members of the Power of Events and the Association of Event Management Educators.
Our programme is the first in the UK to offer 3 live event modules, over each year of the programme, which includes producing a hybrid/digital event in the 2nd year using live streaming and greenscreen technology.
Hands on experience
Throughout the programme, students develop expertise in a broad range of areas including event design, sustainable and accessible experience planning, innovation and entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and live production. They will learn how to manage event finance and operations, understand the behaviour of event consumers, and navigate the growing role of technology in the experience economy.
We also offer a 4 year ‘with placement’ degree as well as shorter term work experience and internship opportunities, linking to consultancy report modules.
We actively work with and partner with industry organisations and associations, which include guest talks, site visits and working on live client briefs in class as part of our authentic assessment. These include recent visits to the International Confex/Event Production Show, World Travel Fair, The Showman’s Show and working with Reset Connect on their annual Sustainability Conference.
What you should know about this course
- Out of London universities, Greenwich is ranked 3rd in London in Hospitality, Events Management & Tourism for satisfaction with teaching (Guardian University Guide 2025).
- We’re proud to be ranked 1st in London for Tourism, Transport, Travel & Heritage Studies (Complete University Guide 2025).
- Our students hear from industry professionals by attending workshops, events and socials and meet like-minded people with our student societies.
- Events Management is taught at our beautiful Greenwich campus, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated in London.
- Recognised by the Institute of Event Management (IEM), giving you a qualification aligned with professional industry standards.
- Entrepreneur-minded? The ‘Generator’ transforms business ideas into reality - from the ground up they support students to start, scale and grow their ideas.
Learning in action
Example of additional class activities (see photos below):
- Nika Brunet Milunovic – Guest Lecturer on social sustainability, inclusion, accessibility and wellbeing at events.
- QEII conference centre site visit for Strategic Corporate Events Module
- Careers Panel and CV clinic event
- Kerb Food Careers and EDI talk
- Live Client Brief for ‘What’s on Kent’ for Problem Solving and Value Proposition in the Experience Economy Module
- Live Lecture – for Students onsite at the Showmans Show
- Site Visit to the Outernet for Experiential Design – Strategic Corporate Events Module
How you can support
At Greenwich, we believe talent deserves to thrive, not be limited by background.
That's why we are proud to offer life-changing scholarships, unlocking potential and build a more equitable future where ordinary minds can achieve extraordinary things.
Your gift commitment of £15,000 will provide a £5,000 per annum scholarship for one Events Management and Innovation student over three years of study. This scholarship tackles this gap by fostering talent and opening doors. Priority
Our ambition is to support at least three students each year, starting from 2026/27. By investing in their futures, we invest in a more inclusive and representative events industry.
You can make your donation via BACS transfer in one payment or by annual instalments of £5,000 over three years. A gift of this level would also warrant a gift agreement, which we would provide you for review and approval.
Donor recognition and reporting
As well as donor recognition on digital platforms , and official press release and invitations to events, you will receive regular updates and an annual report on the progress of the Scholarship initiative and recipients, and inclusion in the annual online supporter magazine, The 1890.
Our goal is to support 3 students in 2026/27.
In order to do this, we need to raise...
Will you support one student with a gift of £15,000?
Want to provide additional hands on support?
There are lots of opportunities for industry to join us in delivering an education without boundaries. Some of these options include:
Provide a placement and access graduate talent via the Employability Service
We offer high-quality, cost-effective services that directly address your business needs while building meaningful partnerships with local, national, and international employers to develop robust talent pipelines. Your level of engagement is entirely flexible – whether you're interested in participating in careers fairs, providing mentorship opportunities, or hiring exceptional talent through placements, internships, and graduate schemes, our dedicated Careers team will work with you to create the perfect partnership.
Join the Big Picture Seminar Series as a speaker
The Big Picture Seminars are a series of guest seminars, given by industry professionals from a variety of fields. They share their expertise on a range of topics – from entrepreneurialism, leadership and management to financial forecasting, the economic climate and the media today. The series has grown into a full programme of events, attracting high profile speakers, covering a wide range of topics and appealing to as many as possible. The programme is also accessible to the local communities, so they too can benefit from the wealth of knowledge the Business School has access to.
Become an official university Partner
Partnering with us is made simple. Our Partnership Hub Team are your open door to access infinite possibilities and a wealth of talent to help you build your workforce, drive growth and deliver impact. Discover how you can benefit from our people, research and leading-edge facilities when you partner with us.
Join our mission to elevate students whose diverse perspectives will drive innovation and change across the events sector.
With your continued support, we can offer this scholarship to more BAME students who have aspirations to become the next generation of events professionals.
Whatever your next steps, please get in touch with our team so we can discuss your journey together.
Sophie Hassell-Richardson
Fundraising Manager, Alumni & Fundraising
✉ S.K.HassellRichardson@greenwich.ac.uk