Business Management students to benefit from £18,000 bursary donation

A five-figure donation by a charity which supports young people into careers in business will help support disadvantaged University of Suffolk students kick-start their journeys.

The Jim Jackson Educational and Enabling Foundation has gifted £18,000 in bursary support, which will support three BA (Hons) Business Management students with £2,000 per year each across all three years of their course from September 2026.

The Jim Jackson Educational and Enabling Foundation is a charitable organisation that helps young people facing barriers to starting a career in business to take their first steps.

Jim Jackson grew up in disadvantage, but support from a teacher and then subsequent mentors allowed him to become a successful businessman. He died in 2021, with the foundation established in his memory.

To be eligible for the grant, students must be aged 16-24, and meet two of the Foundation’s four criteria – have a declared disability, estranged, care experienced, or come from an Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile 1 postcode – areas with the highest level of deprivation.

David James, Head of Business and Law at the University of Suffolk, said: “We are tremendously grateful to the Jim Jackson Foundation for its generous donation supporting three of our Business Management students who are facing some of the toughest barriers to fulfilling their potential.

“These bursaries will enable disadvantaged students who may otherwise have been unable to pursue higher education in business to fulfil their ambitions here in Suffolk.

“As a civic university, we aim to support students of all backgrounds to succeed, promoting upward social mobility and preparing students with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to thrive beyond their studies – values which align with those of the Jim Jackson Foundation.”

Ben Woodley, Trustee at the Jim Jackson Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the University of Suffolk through this new donation, which reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for people to open doors in business and develop the skills, confidence and connections they need to succeed.

“In honour of Jim Jackson, we want to invest in the next generation and help ensure that students have access to the opportunities that can make a lasting difference in their lives. We are proud to support the University of Suffolk and look forward to seeing this partnership create meaningful opportunities for its students and the wider community.”

To find out more about studying BA (Hons) Business Management at the University of Suffolk head to the course webpage here.

More information about the Jim Jackson Foundation can be found here.