ITV presenter Ranvir Singh is set to return North to host the 11th Educate North Awards in Manchester next month.
The awards, which recognise excellence across the North’s universities, higher education institutions, sixth-form colleges, and further education providers, will also see students and graduates competing for the University Entrepreneurs Grant (UEG). The winner will receive a £1,000 prize and mentorship at an award-winning business school.
In addition, three winners, which have been nominated by Smooth and Heart radio listeners, will be revealed at the awards on Thursday 3rd April 2025 at The Hilton Hotel in Manchester.
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Event founder Rob McLoughlin OBE described this year’s competition as one of the toughest yet. “The quality and depth of the entries are more and more impressive year-on-year and the prestige of the event has seen the competition become much harder,” he said. “All of that against a backdrop of challenges and even insecurity across the sector.”
Singh, who has presented Good Morning Britain and served as Chancellor of UCLan in her native Preston since 2017, said she was eager to return. “I can’t wait to meet the entrants and the winners of this prestigious and exciting event,” she said. “I know first-hand, the commitment of so many academics, students and the business teams which face the challenges of the sector every day and yet produce superb results and outstanding breakthroughs.
“I wish all entrants good luck and as for the independent judges – they’ll be having some sleepless nights before their deliberations.”
The Educate North Awards 2025 is supported by CommunicorpUK, owners of Smooth North West, Smooth North East, and Heart Yorkshire. Official patrons include The University of Manchester, Liverpool John Moores University, and John Kennedy CBE.
Sponsors include Interact, IT Capital, Mindful Education, and Liverpool Hope University. The UEG competition will be presented by actor Jessica Pardoe.
The event is staged by RM Communications and produced by Rowan Scahill, with judging led by Emeritus Professor Phil Harris and Emeritus Professor Ruth Ashford.
More details can be found at www.educatenorth.co.uk.
