Ground-breaking ceremony marks start of new School of Business and Management building at Queen Mary

The future of teaching and learning at Queen Mary University of London took a significant step forward last week, as a ground-breaking ceremony marked the start of construction on the new School of Business and Management building.

The ceremony, attended by faculty, staff, and local authority representatives, celebrated the beginning of work on a six-storey facility that will provide flexible and inclusive learning spaces. The building, designed by Nicholas Hare Architects and constructed by Willmott Dixon, will also house the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre (LAC), which provides free and accessible legal advice to local communities in east London and beyond. These services are delivered by undergraduate and postgraduate law students, supported by qualified lawyers, enabling students to gain practical experience while promoting access to justice.

Speaking at the event, Professor Colin Bailey, President and Principal of Queen Mary University of London, said: “This project represents more than just bricks and mortar. It is a bold investment in our academic future: a tangible statement of our commitment to excellence in education, research, and innovation, allowing us to deliver our mission of opening the doors of opportunity, transforming lives, addressing inequalities, and making new discoveries.”

Professor Mike Noon, Professor of Human Resource Management and Dean of the School of Business and Management, added: “This new building matters because it supports students from all walks of life, with flexible, welcoming study spaces that provide a quiet and inclusive environment for learning. For local students who might not have ideal study conditions at home, this facility is a game-changer.

We are not just creating a structure, but the opportunity to be an even stronger, fairer, and more forward-looking university.”

The project will also bring wider benefits to the local community, with improvements to public spaces around the site, including landscaped terraces and dedicated green spaces. Willmott Dixon will work alongside Queen Mary to deliver community engagement initiatives and social value activities as part of the build.

Scheduled to open in early 2027, the new School of Business and Management building represents an important investment in the future of Queen Mary and in the ongoing mission to expand access to world-class education in East London.