Hartpury Annual Report July 2025

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Hartpury University Annual Report and Financial Statements > 2024/2025

Beyond the performances themselves, the atmosphere created by our spectators, volunteers, and the wider Hartpury community was exceptional. Record ticket sales and record-breaking engagement — both on site and online — demonstrate just how much the event means to people. I would also like to highlight the exceptional achievements of our women’s rugby players at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Seeing so many Hartpury students, graduates, pathway players, and alumni proudly representing multiple nations was truly inspiring and a testament to the strength of our rugby programmes. Gloucester-Hartpury further cemented this success with an extraordinary achievement — winning the Premiership Women’s Rugby title for a third consecutive year. Our men’s team also enjoyed success, becoming BUCS Super Rugby champions after a commanding victory over Loughborough University in April. This marked Hartpury’s fourth title in seven years — twice as many as their nearest rivals, University of Exeter.

The political and economic environment adds further pressure. Like many charitable and educational organisations, budgets are set with limited flexibility, meaning increases in the National Living Wage, employer National Insurance contributions, and other statutory costs create funding gaps that must be managed internally. Inflationary pressures, currently above the Bank of England’s target, further increase the cost of goods and services, affecting both operational and capital expenditure. Additionally, demographic changes, shifts in student demand, and competition across the higher and further education sectors require careful monitoring. To manage these risks, Hartpury employs robust forecasting and scenario modelling to ensure that operations remain resilient and adaptable under a range of potential future conditions. In June, Hartpury College officially opened its newly refurbished Agricultural Engineering Workshops and SMART Livestock Hub — a major milestone in our commitment to future-ready, industry-aligned education. Backed by £1 million in refurbishment funding and a further £1.5 million in state-of-the-art equipment, the workshops will play a central role in delivering the T Level in Land Based Engineering. In March, Martin Clunes officially opened our new Veterinary Nursing and Technical Skills Centre at a ceremony attended by governors, staff, students, and media including BBC and ITV News. The ground floor houses two laboratories with a shared preparation room and flexible study space, while the first floor is home to a clinical skills centre used for teaching. Students are already benefitting from hands-on experience with animal simulators and training models, supported by qualified veterinary professionals and teachers. The building is BREEAM-certified and includes car parking, circulation roads, soft landscaping, and EV charging points. Delivered by an all-Gloucestershire team, the project was led by Vitruvius Management Services, with Roberts Limbrick as architects and Barnwood Construction as the main contractor. As reported last year, work on our University Learning Hub was delayed following the termination of the contract with the main contractor, Halsall Construction Limited, which entered administration in May 2024. However, this facility will complete and launch in 2026. Despite the wider challenges, we have continued to invest in facilities to enhance the student experience.

Hartpury University FC clinched the Hellenic League Premier Division title in April, following a remarkable season in which they also narrowly missed out on an FA Vase final appearance. Their story captured national press attention, and we are equally excited to have now established a women’s university football team. The success of our netball academy must also be highlighted. The college team won the ‘quad’ for the second consecutive year, securing the National Cup Final, National Premiership League, National Schools Finals, and National College Championship. Last year’s achievement drew a wave of high-quality student players keen to join the programme, and we expect this year’s success will do the same.

Professor Andy Collop, Vice-Chancellor

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