ABOUT US

South Bank Innovation

Our mission

We cultivate Research and Innovation that enhances teaching and tackles global and civic challenges, generates critical insights, and sustainable solutions to transform the lives of individuals, communities, businesses and society.

LSBU was established in 1892 with a mission to provide education and services that improve access to opportunity for the people of south London, and applied research and enterprise activity that advances their businesses.

Our mission remains the same today. We drive impact and knowledge exchange through South Bank Innovation - a team of 50+ experts passionate about enabling both our academic and student communities to engage with innovation and generate economic and societal benefits at the local, national and international levels.

SBI shows a truly entrepreneurial approach to its pivotal role in community and academic endeavours

times Higher education

Case study: £750k finance

Case study: ev.energy

Our history

Delivering impact at local, national and international level

1892

The Borough Polytechnic Institute is launched to improve the mental and bodily health and social happiness of the people in one of the poorest parts of south London

1914-18

The institute supports the war efforts in by manufacturing parts and supplies for the army

1939 - 45

Despite 13000 square feet of the campus being destroyed during the blitz the polytechnic runs classes for servicemen and women to produce jigs and machine components for the war effort including the ‘mend and make do’ classes.

1970

The Polytechnic merges with local colleges which sparks the development of new courses in architecture, chemical engineering and business studies.

1992

The Polytechnic celebrates its centenary and is awarded University status becoming South Bank University

LSBU Clarence Centre of Enterprise and Innovation

2014

Clarence Centre for Enterprise and Innovation opens and becomes the home for Research, Enterprise and Innovation, sharing the space with over 60 local startups.

2018

LSBU opens The Passmore Centre, a new hub for professional and technical education, to provide local people and employers with access to high quality apprenticeships