Hartpury University and Hartpury College have received national recognition for their commitment to creating an inclusive environment for students and staff, earning Highly Commended honours at the inaugural National Inclusion Awards 2026.
Hartpury received the recognition in the Organisational Impact Award category at the ceremony, held on Thursday 15 October 2026 at the Cedar Court Hotel in Huddersfield.
Hosted by the Institute for Equity, University Centre, the awards celebrated organisations and individuals making a meaningful difference through their work to advance equality, diversity and inclusion.
The ceremony formed part of the Yorkshire Inclusion Luncheon, bringing together regional leaders, corporate representatives and community changemakers during Black History Month to recognise achievements and share approaches to inclusive practice.
Hartpury was shortlisted alongside organisations including Durham University and the University of East London, receiving Highly Commended recognition for its ongoing efforts to embed inclusion across the institution and contribute to positive change beyond its campuses.
The recognition reflects a range of initiatives, projects and policy developments introduced at Hartpury, alongside efforts to share knowledge and practical examples of inclusive practice with higher education professionals, researchers and partner organisations.
Through this work, Hartpury aims to support professional learning and contribute to a more inclusive culture both within its own community and across the wider land-based education sector.
During her acceptance speech, Dr Linda Greening, Head of Inclusivity at Hartpury University, paid tribute to colleagues across the institution, recognising their collective contribution to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for students and staff.
Lesley Worsfold, Chief People Officer at Hartpury University and Hartpury College said: "We're incredibly proud to receive this recognition, which reflects the commitment of colleagues across Hartpury to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive.
"Inclusion is central to the culture we're continuing to build, and it's important that our approach extends beyond policies and commitments to make a meaningful difference to the experiences of our students and staff.
"While this recognition is a fantastic achievement, we know there's always more to do. We're committed to building on the progress we've made and continuing to share our learning and experiences with the wider education sector."
Dr Linda Greening added: "This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of colleagues across Hartpury who are helping to make our campuses more inclusive.
"We're particularly proud that the initiatives, projects and policy developments we've introduced are being shared beyond Hartpury, contributing to wider knowledge exchange and supporting inclusive practice across higher education and the land-based sector.
"We're committed to accelerating that progress and continuing to build a more inclusive culture, both at Hartpury and beyond."
The event also featured contributions from leading advocates for equality and inclusion, including Poppy Jaman OBE, a prominent mental health advocate, alongside a spoken-word performance by artist Dujon Thompson.
The award event saw Loraine Martine OBE FRSA received the lifetime achievement award and Professor Matthew Chapman received the Social Justic Leadership Award.
Hartpury's Highly Commended recognition highlights its ongoing commitment to creating an environment in which students and staff feel valued, respected and supported, while contributing to the wider sharing of inclusive practice across education and industry.
Further information about the National Inclusion Awards 2026 is available here.
