Â鶹Íø

The is a leading gender‑equality framework used across higher education. Building on our Bronze Award in 2020 which recognised our commitment, the 2025 Silver Award acknowledges that QBS has moved beyond intention to demonstrable structural change. It reflects the strategic actions we have implemented and the positive outcomes we have achieved in tackling gender inequality across the School.

What this means for QBS

This Silver Award evidence that our policies, practices and accountability mechanisms are delivering measurable progress. It recognises structural changes in recruitment, promotion, workload allocation, and student and staff support that make inclusion part of how we operate, not just what we say.

Seven other UK business schools have reached Athena SWAN Silver: Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Strathclyde and Warwick. QBS joins this group in demonstrating sustained institutional change on gender equality.

Looking ahead

Receiving Silver is a milestone, not an endpoint. We remain committed to continuous improvement: embedding inclusive practices in recruitment, promotion, workload, procurement and student support, and using data to drive further change. Your continued engagement, ideas and feedback will be essential as we implement our next set of actions.

Acknowledgements

• QBS Swan Self‑Assessment Team — for leading the development of the submission.
• Yang Li (Lecturer in Finance, QBS Athena Swan Champion) for outstanding leadership, long hours, and careful, sensitive work on the application.
• Lisa Bradley (Reader in Finance Education, Director of Postgraduate Education)  for driving the process with commitment and generosity.
• M.N. Ravishankar (Dean, QBS), Shuang Ren (Professor of HRM & Leadership) and Alan Hanna (Director of Accreditation) for their critical inputs at key stages.

Stay up-to-date with DEIB progress by reading the blog and following