GuildHE has been awarded a prestigious Award of Impact in recognition of its “impactful and ambitious” Technician Commitment Action Plan.
The award was presented at the sixteenth Technician Commitment Signatory and Supporter Event in London on Tuesday, 2 June.
The award recognises GuildHE’s sector-wide leadership in championing technical staff across higher education and acknowledges its leadership in supporting visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians.
GuildHE’s Technician Commitment Action Plan sets out a programme of activity for 2025-2028, focused on advocating for the vital role of technicians, supporting their professional development, and encouraging member institutions to engage with and advance the aims of the Technician Commitment.
The recognition highlights GuildHE’s ongoing work to raise the profile of technical professionals and drive meaningful change across higher education institutions and the wider sector.
Rachel Persad, Head of Research Policy at GuildHE, said: “This award reflects GuildHE’s strong commitment to supporting technicians and technical staff, whose expertise and innovation are essential to the success of higher education, research and student experience. We are proud to stand alongside colleagues across the sector in championing their invaluable contribution.”
The annual Technician Commitment Signatory and Supporter event brought together institutions and organisations from across the UK to celebrate progress, share best practice and strengthen collaboration in support of the Technician Commitment’s goals.
GuildHE member institutions Bath Spa University and Leeds Arts University also received awards yesterday, recognising their commitment to technical staff across the creative arts.
Graham Morley, Director of Estates and Resources at Bath Spa University, said: “Becoming a signatory to the Technicians Commitment is a proud moment for our creative community and signals our commitment to recognising the talented and skilled staff working across our specialist creative workshops and resource areas.
It shines a well-deserved spotlight on our skilled, dedicated technicians and provides a foundation for continual improvement through reflection and professional development — a collaborative process that will benefit colleagues whilst supporting our students' artistic practice and learning outcomes.”
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For more information and photographs, please contact [email protected]
Notes to Editors
- Photographs of the presentation are available, please contact [email protected].
- GuildHE is one of three formal representative bodies in higher education, representing around 70 diverse institutions. Our members are small and large, rural and urban, practice-based and online, publicly and privately funded. Members are renowned for their practical, industry-relevant education, research and innovation - which meet critical skills needs for the 21st century, while making a significant contribution to regional growth, industry development and the national economy. The diversity of our membership enables us a unique and valuable perspective into the challenges and opportunities within, and for, the sector at any given time.
- Read the GuildHE Technician Commitment Action Plan.
- The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy is funded by Research England and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Further information about the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy can be viewed on its website.