Dragon’s Den Star Unveils Wiltshire Business School

Wiltshire College & University Centre has officially launched its state-of-the-art Wiltshire Business School at the Lackham campus, a move set to reshape business education in the region. The £2.2 million development, located within the Georgian Grade II listed Lackham House, was opened by entrepreneur Nick Jenkins, founder of Moonpig and former Dragon’s Den star.

Jenkins, who cut the ribbon at the new facility, expressed his enthusiasm for the innovative school, describing it as a significant asset for Wiltshire. “I’m very impressed with the facilities here, and I think it’s fantastic that it is in Wiltshire,” he said. “It’s great for local business, and now I want to be employing people who have had the kind of training on offer here.”

The Wiltshire Business School is designed to provide students with hands-on commercial skills in a modern office environment. Principal & CEO of Wiltshire College, Iain Hatt, explained that the school’s facilities mirror the contemporary workplace, enabling students to gain experience in a setting that reflects the demands of modern businesses. “We’ve created high-quality training facilities that reflect businesses today so students can learn in a 21st-century business environment,” Hatt said.

A key feature of the school is its response to the introduction of T Levels, a qualification designed in collaboration with employers. The programme combines classroom learning with real-world industry experience, preparing students for work by teaching essential technical and business skills. Hatt highlighted the project’s alignment with the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Skills Plan, addressing the growing digital skills gap in the region.

The school offers a blend of traditional classrooms and modern meeting spaces equipped with wireless digital screens, laptop docking stations, and advanced video conferencing equipment. There are also collaborative areas designed to resemble co-working spaces, allowing students to work together in teams. One of the highlights is the oak-panelled boardroom, which was once the house’s billiard room, now reimagined as a high-end corporate meeting space.

Students access the school’s resources through ID cards, which not only allow entry to the building but also give them access to laptops from a charging station. The hot-desk system encourages a sense of responsibility, with students required to keep their workspaces clean and return laptops at the end of the day.

The curriculum also includes training on digital skills such as setting up video conferences, managing remote meetings, and running online training courses. Hatt believes these skills are essential in today’s business world, adding, “We want to give them the opportunity to set up online meetings and webinars and take those traits and skills to the workplace.”

Currently, students are studying T Level Business: Management and Administration, but the business school plans to expand its course offerings in the coming years. Hatt expects the student numbers to grow rapidly as more courses are added, including undergraduate qualifications.

As part of the school’s mission, the business school will also offer part-time courses for individuals looking to upskill, including HR, accountancy, and leadership qualifications.

The Wiltshire Business School will also be expanding to other college campuses in Trowbridge and Salisbury, with Hatt confident that the new brand will soon become a hallmark of quality education in the region.