University of Surrey becomes first Education Partner

Surrey Hills Enterprises is proud to announce that the University of Surrey has become its first Education Partner through a new nine-month pilot partnership that brings university training, research and student talent directly to SHE’s 240+ member organisations.

For SHE, this partnership sits at the heart of its wider mission and growth strategy: connecting people, expertise and opportunity across the Surrey Hills.

Running until March 2027, the pilot gives SHE members practical opportunities including funded and discounted places on University short courses, including UN-affiliated sustainability training and certification through CIFAL Surrey; the chance to connect with students on placements and internships tackling real commercial challenges, from food systems to AI to marketing; closer ties to Surrey Research Park, a 70-acre hub of innovation on SHE members’ doorstep; and a joint producer and supplier showcase connecting SHE members directly with University teams and wider Surrey stakeholders. Both organisations will also explore wider research collaborations throughout the pilot.

Maggie Howell, Chief Executive Officer of Surrey Hills Enterprises, said: “One of Surrey Hills Enterprises’ greatest strengths is bringing people together. This partnership creates exciting new opportunities for our members to connect with the University’s expertise, students and innovation, while giving the University a closer understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing local organisations. Together, we can build something that is genuinely useful for businesses and the wider Surrey Hills.”

For SHE, the partnership also reflects a broader belief: that supporting local organisations isn’t just about footfall and sales, it’s about building the infrastructure for long-term resilience, sustainability, and opportunity, right here in the Surrey Hills.

Professor Amelia Hadfield, Director of CIFAL Surrey and Associate Vice-President for External Engagement at the University of Surrey, added: “The University of Surrey is an anchor institution for the county of Surrey, and that should mean something concrete to the organisations around us. A student who spends time solving a real problem for a local producer gains vital insights that bring their in-classroom learning to life, and comes away with experience that employers actually value.”

SHE members or local organisations interested in finding out more or getting involved are encouraged to get in touch.