The generosity of our philanthropists is having a profound impact within Lancaster University Management School – fuelling innovation, widening opportunity, supporting student achievement, and honouring the legacy of those who have shaped our community.

LUMS research

Research within LUMS is flourishing across many fields, all focussed on delivering positive change and creating solutions with lasting real-world impact.

Centre for Family Business Research

LUMS Investors in Excellence funds have supported LUMS' leading research centre producing world-leading research into the dynamics of family businesses - helping companies navigate succession, governance, and growth with confidence.

Centre for Scholarship and Innovation in Management Education

A donor from Tanzania, complemented with donations to LUMS, have enabled an inaugural publication for this centre to transform the way business education is taught, ensuring LUMS remains at the forefront of pedagogical innovation.

Driving Diversity and Inclusion in Football

In collaboration with the Lancashire Football Association - a key regional and national body – support for LUMS has enabled vital research into improving diversity in football, with initial work focused on understanding and addressing the low levels of South East Asian participation in refereeing, coaching, and playing.

This issue is deeply rooted and complex, requiring thoughtful academic engagement and community collaboration. Early-stage activities include data analysis, literature review, and hosting a stakeholder event to build momentum and shape long-term, inclusive solutions.

This emerging partnership aligns closely with LUMS' civic agenda and has the potential to grow into a model for socially impactful collaboration between academia and sport.

Advancing Research and Attracting PhD Talent

Thanks to support for research funding, Jing Lyu has completed a PhD in Supply Chain and Logistics, publishing influential work in sustainable logistics and collaborating with Renault on reducing packaging waste and transport costs.

“I am deeply appreciative of this generous backing from philanthropic donors, which has significantly enabled my PhD study.” Jing Lyu

Student Support

Philanthropy is opening doors for talented students at LUMS, ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of ambition and potential.

International Travel Grants – Expanding Global Opportunities

In 2022, just 16 students accessed international learning experiences. With donor support, this increased to 67 students participating in the last academic year thanks to a new £500 per student travel grant scheme. This fund is removing barriers to global education and enriching our international modules.

Case Study Competition Sponsorship

A philanthropic contribution supported a joint summer case study competition with leading employer Accenture - giving students a platform to apply their learning in real-world business scenarios.

Celebrating Student Excellence

Supporter generosity has enabled a wide range of prizes and awards for outstanding students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels - recognising achievement, leadership, and impact.

Honouring Legacies and Celebrating Lives

Supporters also helping us remember and honour individuals who have shaped the LUMS community, through prizes and scholarships that carry their legacy forward:

The Boylan Prize, in memory of Professor John Boylan, celebrates excellence among PhD students in the Management Science department.

The Callum McEwan Watt Memorial Fund provides small academic prizes across LUMS departments, recognising student attainment.

A postgraduate scholarship in honour of Professor Peter Checkland will support mature students with professional experience, reflecting his deep belief in lifelong learning.

We are deeply grateful for the enduring support of our donors. Philanthropy makes an incredible difference and helps Lancaster University Management School continue to thrive as a place of purpose, possibility and progress.

Find our more about LUMS Investors in Excellence at Lancaster.