Business Partnership Award
In recognition of our educational partnership with Wellington College in the UK, the British Chamber of Commerce has awarded Wellington College China the prestigious Business Partnership Award at the 2024 British Business Awards.
This year’s awards ceremony was attended by Kirsten Johnston, British Business Awards 2024 Chair and Chair of BritCham Shanghai and Dame Caroline Willson DCMG, His Majesty’s Ambassador to China and Patron of the British Business Awards 2024.
Through a rigorous selection process, Wellington College China was selected as the winner from a highly competitive shortlist of 50 outstanding businesses and individuals. The award celebrates the institution's commitment to strengthening Sino-British trade and investment relations through its pioneering education model.
"We are truly grateful to receive such an honour from the British Chamber of Commerce," said Joy Qiao, Wellington College China's Founder and Chairman. "The Business Partnership Award speaks of the transformative impact of our partnership with Wellington College UK. We remain committed to building a strong bridge between East and West, delivering world-class education that empowers pupils to excel and make a positive difference in the world."
The award-winning partnership between Wellington College in the UK and Wellington College China was established in 2009. By merging Chinese, British and international education best practices, the collaboration has created a unique, pupil-centric learning experience that respects local culture while instilling global perspectives.
This partnership has been a remarkable success ever since, leading to the establishment of multiple thriving campuses across China. The alignment between the two entities has fostered robust synergies, with the UK College providing the blueprint for academic excellence and the Chinese campuses adapting these frameworks to local contexts while maintaining the highest possible standards.
It has not only driven business growth and market expansion but also significantly enhanced educational capabilities. The exchange of pupils, teachers and ideas has created a globally recognised and interconnected the positive network of Wellington College Education, with campuses in the UK, China, Thailand, India and soon Indonesia, South Korea and the US.
Rigorous teacher training, shared governance and a focus on intellectual growth and leadership skills have consistently produced outstanding academic results. Pupils from Wellington College China have secured coveted offers from the world's top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, and excelled in prestigious competitions across sports, arts and mathematics as well as activities like Model United Nations.
Beyond academic excellence, this partnership has demonstrated a strong commitment to local integration. The opening of campuses in Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nantong has brought substantial investment to these regions, boosting local economies and creating more than 1300 employment opportunities. Wellington College China also engages in community outreach initiatives, such as needs-based scholarships and partnerships with local schools, to share resources and expertise.
This collaboration between a Chinese and a British organization demonstrates how international partnerships can enable the exchange of business practices and cultural knowledge. Through teacher exchange programmes, summer camps, annual education festivals and other diverse activities, the two organizations have facilitated extensive cultural immersion and opportunities for mutual learning.
As Wellington College China continues to flourish, it remains steadfast in its vision to pioneering education to serve and help shape a better world. This prestigious award serves as a proud recognition of the institution's commitment to building strong and mutually successful partnerships across the globe.