Hugh Sloane graduated from Bristol in 1977 with a degree in Economics and Politics and built his career in the financial sector. He founded the Sloane Robinson Foundation, a charitable foundation that supports a range of educational projects, with his business partner George Robinson who graduated from Keble College, Oxford with a BSc in Engineering in 1979.
His initial £10 million gift made in 2017 was the largest in the University’s history and was fundamental in securing the development of the new campus. Since then, he has generously pledged a further £10 million, reinforcing his commitment to the future of the University of Bristol.
When the 38,000 square metre Sloane Robinson Building opens in September it will be the University’s largest building and a major new landmark for the city, right next to the iconic Bristol Temple Meads railway station, providing a direct link to the University from London and the rest of the UK.
Hugh Sloane said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a world class academic campus right in the heart of a city, and next to Brunel’s iconic Temple Meads station. The cutting-edge interdisciplinary programmes at Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus will draw in the best and brightest minds from across the world, and the economic and civic legacy of this landmark development will resonate far beyond the University, both for Bristol and for the UK.”
When it opens, the campus will be a new front door to the University and home for its world-class teaching and research across areas including business, innovation, digital engineering, artificial intelligence, cyber security, advanced telecommunications and quantum technologies – fields that are not only advancing rapidly, but which will define the future of our economy and society.
At its heart will be the Bristol Innovations Zone, a space specifically created to bring the University into closer partnership with businesses, entrepreneurs, and organisations of all kinds, supported by funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
The campus has been designed for the University to collaborate with partners to deliver cutting-edge research and innovation. The ambition is for new ideas and solutions to emerge through opening up access to research expertise, talent and facilities, ultimately helping to translate world-leading research into real-world applications much more quickly.
It will also provide spaces for communities to work with the University to address local, national and global challenges as well as public art and open spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Other areas in the building that have been supported by philanthropic donations include the innovative ‘in the round’ lecture theatre which has been named the Bill Brown Forum in recognition of support from the Bill Brown 1989 Charitable Trust, founded by the late Percy William Ernest (‘Bill’) Brown – an entrepreneur and successful businessman who began his working life in Bristol. And the Shanta Active Learning Studio, which is funded by the Shanta Foundation - the philanthropic arm of Waymade Capital and co-founded by Bristol alumnus Bhikhu Patel.
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: “I am delighted to announce the naming of the Sloane Robinson Building and want to thank Hugh Sloane and the Sloane Robinson Foundation for their tremendous generosity and support – without them our vision for this new campus would not have become a reality.
“TQEC stands as a powerful testament to the impact of philanthropy in advancing world-leading research and innovation, interdisciplinary education, and creating opportunities for inclusive growth. Businesses and communities will come together here with students and academics, united by a shared ambition to address society’s most pressing challenges. We look forward to welcoming the people of Bristol to the campus, and to welcoming the world to Bristol.”
The new campus sits at the heart of Bristol Temple Quarter, which is set to deliver new homes, jobs and opportunities for the city and region. It will be directly connected to a new station entrance at Bristol Temple Meads station on one side and a new harbour walkway leading into the city on the other – both of which also open in September.