The Unite Story

Unite Students was founded in 1991 and since then it has housed more than half a million students in buildings across the UK. The FTSE250 company currently employs more than 1,900 people and is headquartered in Bristol. Here are some highlights:

2019

Awarded Investors in People Gold for a further 3 years
Education Secretary Damian Hinds publicly endorsed the Leapskills programme

2018

Opened 7 new properties in Newcastle, Durham, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Birmingham totalling 3,074 new beds
Piloted the Leapskills programme, helping young people transition to independent living
Raised almost £600,000 for The British Heart Foundation over 2 years
Acquired the first major London development site in 6 years
Introduced an online student check-in system
Launched The Common Room, a digital peer-to-peer student advice forum, accessible through the MyUnite app

2017

Converted to using 100% certified renewable energy across the entire business
Passed £1 million of charitable giving since 2014
Stapleton House awarded Private Halls of Residence (London) of the Year (Property Week Student Accommodation Awards)
Awarded the Behaviour Change & Employee Engagement Trophy for driving positive changes in energy consumption (Energy Awards)
Opened Mahadevi and 16-25 IP community projects within retail spaces of 2 different properties
Unite Group converted to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

2016

Awarded Investors in People Gold Status
Office opened in China and Chinese website launched
Property Week's Student Accommodation Operator of the Year for third time
Bristol Business of the Year by local newspaper, Bristol Post
Employees and students raised nearly £200,000 for Sport Relief
First cohort of Unite Foundation graduates

2015

Unite UK Student Accommodation Fund acquired a 2,100 bed student accommodation portfolio
First Living Wage employer in sector
Awarded 12 bronze Green Impact Awards by the National Union of Students
Employees and students raised £120,000 for Cancer Research UK

2014

Launched key business purpose, Home for Success, putting students at heart of everything the business does
As part of £40 million investment, launched a £21m programme to install LED to properties
Awarded Gold at the London Design Awards in the Graphic Design - Environmental category

2013

Student wellbeing programme launched
20Mb broadband installed in all buildings
Award-winning re-financing

2012

Created a second joint venture, targeting a £1 billion London Portfolio – the London Student Accommodation Vehicle (LSAV)
Successful issue of a retail bond, raising £90 million
Launched the Unite Foundation, providing first 21 scholarships for students lacking family support, incorporating free accommodation and contribution towards living expenses
Financial support of IntoUniversity, Land Aid and SIFE.
Awarded two prestigious environmental awards.

2011

Launched an annual recognition scheme for employees
Gained Investors in People Silver Award

2010

London office opened at Swan House, off Oxford Street

2009

£194 million joint venture formed with Oasis Capital Bank to create 1,119 beds across three student homes in London
Phil White became chairman
Voted one of Britain’s Top Employers by Best Companies

2008

Launched a change programme to help build a customer-led and city-driven business

2006

Formed Unite UK Student Accommodation Fund (USAF), Europe’s largest unlisted and specialist student accommodation investment vehicle
Unite won three customer service awards