Purpose Lab Celebratory Reception Brings Together Students, Educators and Industry Leaders to Champion Purpose-Led Innovation

The Purpose Lab, a major campaign of The Purpose Coalition, was celebrated at a reception held yesterday at The Vincent Rooms, Westminster, bringing together student ambassadors, universities, colleges, employers and policymakers to celebrate the growing national impact of the Purpose Lab programme.

The event showcased the dynamic partnership between education and industry that has shaped the Purpose Lab’s success, powered by headline sponsor Sodexo, alongside education partners including the University of Southampton, MetaGedu Apprenticeships, the University of West London, the University of Chester, Royal Holloway, University of London, and Liverpool John Moores University.

The reception highlighted the Purpose Lab’s mission to empower students to develop innovative, practical solutions to real-world challenges, strengthening employability, building confidence and driving purpose-led innovation across sectors.

The event opened with a keynote address from Tracey Smith, CEO of Schools & Universities at Sodexo UK & Ireland. Tracey emphasised the value of collaboration between business and education and praised the students’ creativity, commitment and purpose-driven mindset.

“Sodexo has had purpose at its heart for six decades,” she said. “We are committed to improving quality of life and driving economic, social and environmental progress everywhere we operate. Meeting Purpose Lab students reminds us why investing in future leaders matters. Their ideas, energy and passion give us hope for a better tomorrow.”

Alex Verjee, Managing Director for Sodexo UK & Ireland’s universities business said: “Partnerships like Purpose Lab are invaluable because they ensure that students’ voices directly shape how we design and deliver services across university life. Hearing fresh ideas and honest insight from the next generation challenges us to be better, more inclusive and more responsible as a business. The students involved should feel proud of the impact they are already having on the future of higher education.”

Speaking at the event, Kenzie Salem reflected on her experience as a Student Ambassador: “The ideas we share aren’t just opinions—they’re insights that can help businesses make decisions that are fair, inclusive, and representative of everyone.”

Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of The Purpose Coalition and former Secretary of State for Education, added: “The Purpose Lab is a brilliant example of what happens when we bring education and employers together around a shared mission: unlocking talent. These students are showing that when given the chance to tackle real challenges, they not only rise to the occasion, but they also chart a path for all of us. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far and excited to see this Purpose Lab continue to grow.”

The reception marked a significant milestone for the Purpose Lab, celebrating the momentum already achieved and the energy of the students leading it. As the programme continues to expand, it’s clear that purpose-led innovation, powered by collaboration and the next generation of talent, will play an ever-greater role in shaping the UK’s future.