King’s is deeply entwined with Southwark through the collaborations we continue to develop across research and education in service of society. This agreement underlines the proactive relationship we have forged in recent years with Southwark Council by formally aligning our shared priorities and goals.
Professor Shitij Kapur, President & Principal
24 March 2022
Southwark Council and King's agree shared priorities
King’s and Southwark Council have formalised their commitment to working in partnership by signing a shared Statement of Intent.
The agreement outlines how the two organisations will work together to serve, support and sustain local communities in ways that contribute to students’ learning and generate research insights of value to London.
Signed at a meeting between the leaders of both organisations, the joint ambitions set out in the Statement of Intent include ensuring King’s research supports evidence-based policy-making in Southwark, and enabling King’s students, staff and alumni to work with local communities and residents to take positive action to tackle racism, injustice and inequality across the borough. It also outlines how King’s and Southwark will work together and with partners across the borough, through Southwark’s Anchor Network, for the benefit of our shared communities.
The Statement of Intent was signed by Councillor Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council and Professor Shitij Kapur, President & Principal of King’s. They were joined at the signing by Eleanor Kelly, Chief Executive of Southwark Council and Baroness Deborah Bull, the university’s Vice President (Communities & National Engagement).
Southwark is a place where learning and creativity thrive. We are proud and fortunate to have such fantastic, historic academic institutions like King’s in our borough. Both our organisations are committed to ensuring that local residents have access to the best possible skills opportunities and working together in taking positive action to tackle racism, injustice and inequality across the borough. That’s why I’m really pleased to affirm our commitments through this statement to working with King’s and our local community to make Southwark a fairer, greener and more equal borough.
Councillor Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council
The Statement of Intent with the London Borough of Southwark complements bespoke agreements already in place with Lambeth Council and Westminster City Council. They outline areas for collaboration and mutual priorities, informed by each organisation’s strategic ambitions and strengths.
King’s Vision 2029 sets out our ambition to be a civic university at the heart of London and we are deeply committed to working in close partnership with Southwark to serve, support and deliver for local communities across the borough. It is only by forging closer links with our local communities and by listening, sharing information and identifying opportunities for partnership, that we can effectively contribute to the vibrant and thriving boroughs of which we are a part.
Baroness Deborah Bull, Vice President (Communities & National Engagement)