Commitment to the student voice recognised with prestigious award

ESCP Business School has been awarded the prestigious Empowering Student Voice award at the Independent Higher Education (IHE) Awards 2024, recognising its ongoing commitment to empowering students to use their voice to effect change and make a positive difference.

The annual IHE awards are the UK’s flagship event for the independent higher education sector. The IHE is the UK’s leading representative body for independent higher education providers.
Every year, the awards attract numerous entries that exemplify the talent, commitment and innovation of institutions and teams across all aspects of university life in the UK.

The Empowering Student Voice award highlights ESCP’s unwavering dedication to enriching the student experience and its innovative approach to embedding student voices in decision-making across its six campuses in London, Berlin, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw. This unique model ensures that students benefit from a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and cross-cultural experiences, preparing them for leadership roles in an increasingly interconnected world.

Kamran Razmdoost, Dean of ESCP Business School’s London Campus, said:

“We are honoured to receive the Empowering Student Voice award. This award is a testament to the efforts of our entire community to engage with our students at different levels and creating a student-centric culture. This is a great achievement that shows ESCP’s collective innovation, commitment and care for our students.”

Following the recent acquisition of Degree Awarding Powers in the UK, this award reinforces ESCP’s position in the UK market, where the school is currently placed second in the Financial Times’
2023 European Business School ranking.

ESCP was recognised for its holistic approach to student engagement, fostering a collaborative community that empowers its diverse student body to become purpose-driven leaders.

This includes:

• Embedding student voice in decision-making: all working committees and boards at ESCP have student representation, empowering them to shape the programme curricula and participate in executive board meetings, such as the London Academic Board and the Executive Committee Board, that influence cross-campus policies and governance decisions.
• Representation across all levels: ESCP offers both structured roles like elected representatives and flexible options like department ambassadors. The ESCP student union, AGORA, also facilitates representation across all six campuses, uniting student voices across the student network.
• Support and development for representatives: Student representatives and ambassadors receive regular training and feedback and gain real-life opportunities to practise leadership skills. Peer-to-peer mentorship also plays a key role, ensuring continuity and shared learning across cohorts.
• Co-designing policies and initiatives: student feedback is a critical driver for change, playing a key role in driving policies and new initiatives at ESCP. For example, the GEA Society’s waste management campaign, along with ESCP’s eco-cup initiative launched by a staff-student ESG committee, nearly eliminated single-use container waste on campus. Students also actively co-designed the new student wing in London with the Real Estate team, ensuring the space met their diverse

Emily Centeno, Director of Marketing, Admissions, Communications, Events and Student Experience at ESCP Business School London Campus, said:

“We are proud to create a learning environment where our students’ ideas and perspectives are valued, and where they are encouraged to lead, innovate and make their voices heard. At ESCP, we are dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience that not only prepares students for successful careers but also empowers them to become impactful leaders in a globalised world.”

Florence Mele, Director of Student and Academic Services at ESCP London Campus, added:

“Empowering students to shape their educational journey strengthens their leadership skills and fosters a sense of responsibility and inclusivity. This award highlights our commitment to placing student perspectives at the heart of our mission, driving meaningful change and shaping the future of higher education.”

In the 2024/25 academic year, ESCP London Campus has welcomed more than 1,200 students across its full-time Masters programmes, MBA, and the Bachelor degree. Due to its unique position in the market, the London campus attracts students and academics from more than 100 nationalities. Whilst many of its international students come from Europe, the campus also has strong contingents from other countries, including the Middle East, USA, India and China.

Find out more at the ESCP website or follow on LinkedIn: @ESCP Business School