We’re delighted to announce that Wiltshire College & University Centre has been shortlisted in two categories at the 2026 TBE Awards, with the College named a finalist for Sustainable Business of the Year and Principal & CEO Iain Hatt in the running for Leader of the Year.
Organised by The Business Exchange South West, the TBE Awards celebrate the people, businesses and organisations making a difference across the region.
Iain Hatt, Principal & CEO of Wiltshire College & University Centre, said: “Being recognised in two categories is a fantastic achievement for the College and reflects the hard work and commitment of our staff.
“I’m particularly pleased to see our sustainability work recognised, because we’re not only making changes to reduce our own environmental impact, but also helping people and businesses develop the skills needed for a more sustainable future.
“On a personal level, I’m delighted to be shortlisted for Leader of the Year. The progress we’ve made is very much a collective effort. I’m fortunate to work alongside colleagues who are passionate about creating opportunities for our students and the wider community.”
Sustainable Business of the Year
Our Sustainable Business of the Year nomination highlights the progress we’re making towards halving our carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2040.
We’ve reduced carbon emissions across our estate by 20% since setting our net zero target in 2023, supported by investment in renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings and electric vehicles.
But our commitment extends beyond our own environmental impact. In March 2026, we opened a £500,000 Green Skills Innovation Centre at Lackham, providing specialist facilities to train students, tradespeople and industry professionals in low-carbon technologies including solar PV, heat pumps and battery storage.
The Centre has also become home to the Luthmore Installer Academy, established in June 2026 to provide practical training in zero-emission heating technology.
Leader of the Year
Iain’s nomination for Leader of the Year celebrates his contribution to the College since becoming Principal & CEO in August 2021.
Under his leadership, we’ve experienced significant growth, with full-time student numbers increasing from 2,981 in 2021 to more than 4,400 in 2026. We now support more than 11,500 learners across our provision.
Iain has also overseen major investment in teaching and learning facilities, including Wiltshire Business School at Lackham, Tech Trowbridge, Salisbury’s Healthcare Zone and the latest redevelopment plans for our Trowbridge campus.
The winners will be announced at the TBE Awards ceremony on Thursday 5 November 2026.
Good luck to all the finalists!
