In a lecture at Lancaster University Management School on 31 October, Ana Botín, CEO of Santander UK, spoke to more than 100 guests, including students, staff and alumni, on the future of the UK economy.

Ms Botín’s talk, entitled: ‘The Future of the UK Economy and the Role of Entrepreneurs’, was followed by a Q&A session with the audience and a visit to the Lancaster University Santander branch.

Lancaster University has strong links with the bank after the signing of a collaboration agreement in 2011. Ms Botín was introduced by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark E Smith.

Santander, through its Santander Universities Global Division, has been funding scholarships, travel grants, awards and entrepreneurial activities at Lancaster University for the past two years. The University is also receiving funding for part-funded internship opportunities with local SMEs through their agreement with Santander.

In total, 68 UK universities have now signed agreements with Santander. The Bank has committed £7 million in 2013 to fund UK universities.

Since the signing of the agreement Santander has committed funding for the following activities: 30 scholarships and mobility awards, support of business and enterprise initiatives within the University, three annual research awards, joint research awards with Brazilian universities and 35 paid internships for students of the University to work in SMEs.

Professor Mark E Smith, Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University said: “Lancaster University is committed to excellence in all that it does. This commitment includes impact on SMEs both through the quality of our research and by giving our students opportunities for gaining experience through internships, which in turn increases their employability. The imaginative funding schemes that Santander have sponsored have greatly helped our efforts in this area.”

Ana Botín said: “Lancaster University is the home of one of the best business schools in the country with world-class projects focusing on innovation, enterprise and development. I feel honoured to be invited to speak in such a forward-thinking institution. At Santander we know that supporting entrepreneurs and innovative SMEs is the way to boost the UK recovery, and I am convinced that the funding we provide to Lancaster through Santander Universities will help the University to continue spearheading innovation and development in the North West.”