Stephen Davis, Chief Executive and Group Principal of United Colleges Group (UCG), personifies dedication and transformative leadership in education.
Davis’s expertise, initially honed as a trained accountant and economist for British Aerospace at Prestwick, found a new home in the educational sector—a field he had never envisioned for himself. “I never wanted to be a teacher,” he admits, “and I ended up spending my whole career in education and loving it.”
Stephen spent the majority of his career in Scotland before a policy shift in 2013 prompted a move to England. “There was a significant piece of reform that took place in Scotland around 2013, which didn’t align with my value set,” he explains. This pivotal moment led him to seek opportunities in England, eventually landing a role with City and Islington College in London under the leadership of Sir Frank McLaughlin, CBE.
Davis faced the challenge of adapting to the English educational system, which starkly contrasted with the collaborative nature of its Scottish counterpart. “The English educational system is based on a philosophy of competition leads to excellence,” he states. Navigating these changes, Davis has skillfully steered UCG through the intricacies of local and national priorities, particularly during the tumultuous times of the pandemic.
Despite the challenges, Davis’s passion for education remains undiminished. “I love education because I can see the difference it makes,” he shares. His approach to leadership is characterised by a deep understanding of the unique needs of the communities UCG serves, striving to align educational offerings with the demands of the job market and the aspirations of students.
Building the Future: UCG’s Commitment to Education and Community
Stephen is a man with a vision for the future of education in London. Under his leadership, UCG has embarked on ambitious projects to expand and enhance its educational offerings, always with an eye on the needs of the local community. The group recently purchased a property near the iconic Wembley Stadium. The plan is to erect a seven-storey campus designed by Wilkinson Eyre, the architectural firm behind the Battersea Power Station redevelopment. This new campus will be a beacon of state-of-the-art technology and education, “directly across from Boxpark, overlooking Wembley Stadium,” Davis explains.
UCG’s dedication to public value extends beyond its walls. The recent opening of the Euston Skill Centre, which focuses on green skills and precision engineering for the rail industry, demonstrates UCG’s collaborative spirit. These are all initiatives that have the support of a variety of stakeholders, including local councils and the Department of Education.
The strategic moves are part of UCG’s broader vision, “our strategic plan is for London and Londoners,” Stephen explains. It’s a commitment to providing world-class facilities and addressing the local needs of a diverse student body. “We’ve had significant support from third-party stakeholders,” Davis notes, citing the Department for Education and the Greater London Authority as key partners in this endeavour.
Beyond all of this, the social fabric of London, with its challenges of deprivation and exclusion, particularly among ethnically diverse communities, is not lost on Davis. He proudly points out that “72% of our younger learners all come from ethnically diverse backgrounds.” UCG’s leadership reflects this, having increased its ethnically diverse leadership and management from 19% to 48%.
As UCG continues to grow and adapt, it remains focused on its core mission: to remove barriers to opportunity and ensure that education is accessible to everyone in the communities it serves. With innovative projects and a clear vision for the future, Stephen Davis and UCG are poised to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape of London.
A Vision for Community and Growth
Davis sees the institution as more than just an educational provider, “fundamentally, I see us as a community partner as well as an anchor institution for the communities which we serve,” Davis says, highlighting UCG’s role in fostering local initiatives and supporting under-16 communities through various schemes.
Davis’s aspirations for UCG extend beyond local impact to national influence. He convened a stakeholder dinner with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, discussing the multifaceted role colleges can play in delivering health and justice outcomes, among others. “We can deliver across a series of metrics that are important to central and local government,” he asserts, advocating for a broader recognition of the college’s contributions to society.
For Stephen, changing the narrative around further education is a personal mission. He envisions UCG as a safeguarding force within the community, providing essential services that go beyond educational qualifications. “I would like to change the narrative on what further education is about,” he states, emphasising the importance of UCG’s role in the community.
Looking to the future, Davis is determined to grow UCG’s reach and capabilities. He expresses a desire for UCG to become the educator or community asset of first choice, and to expand through partnerships that create synergies and reduce duplication of efforts. “I’d like to see us take our expertise and work in a bigger partnership or arrangement with other college partners potentially, or even sub-sector partners,” he explains.
It is safe to say that Davis is optimistic about UCG’s trajectory, and not without reason. “UCG is a work in progress. We’re growing into our name and we’re growing into the communities we support,” he reflects. With a clear vision and a commitment to serving London and Londoners, UCG under Davis’s leadership is poised for a future of meaningful impact and continued success.
