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CUBO Black Professional Network

12th February 2026
MS Teams 12:00 - 13:00

CUBO Black Professionals Network

Join us for the inaugural meeting of the CUBO Black Professionals Network (CBPN),  a CUBO‑supported space dedicated to strengthening belonging, visibility and career progression for colleagues of Black heritage working in professional and campus services across Higher Education.

This facilitated online roundtable will bring together colleagues of Black heritage and allies from across the CUBO membership to share lived experiences, identify collective opportunities and challenges, and co‑design a practical programme of activity for the year ahead. This will include peer support forums, mentoring, and regional professional development events. In line with best practice, the session will also agree how the Network will operate as a trusted, confidential space while collaborating with CUBO and member institutions to support meaningful sector change.

Who should attend?

  • Colleagues of Black heritage working in student accommodation, estates & FM, catering and hospitality, sport & recreation, security, and wider campus/commercial services within HE.
  • Allies committed to advancing inclusion may be invited to designated open sessions or events.

AGENDA

Welcome, context and aims

  • Welcome and brief introductions
  • Why this Network, why now: sector context and lived experience
  • What we aim to achieve in this session and how it will shape the Network’s first year

Ways of working: safe space and participation

  • Purpose of the Network as a trusted, confidential space
  • Ground rules: respect, listening, confidentiality (Chatham House approach)
  • Inclusivity of Black identities and how we engage allies appropriately

Purpose and scope of the Network

Facilitated discussion to confirm:

  • What members want this Network to do (belonging, visibility, progression)
  • How CBPN complements CUBO’s EDI priorities and sector work
  • What success would look like at the end of Year 1

Roundtable: lived experience, barriers and opportunities – Sam Kingsley

Guided discussion (themes captured, no attribution):

  • Where do you feel least supported or most isolated in your role or career journey?
  • What are the key barriers to progression in professional and campus services?
  • What support would make the biggest difference in the next 6–12 months?

Designing the offer: what CBPN will deliver

Co-design discussion covering:

  • Peer support forums (frequency and format)
  • Mentoring (interest, preferred models, principles)
  • Regional professional development events (what would justify attendance as CPD)
  • Visibility opportunities (speaking, case studies, recognition)

Governance and next steps

  • Proposed structure: Convenor and four Regional Co-Chairs
  • Volunteer roles needed to move forward
  • How expressions of interest will be managed
  • Confirmation of meeting cadence and communications

Outcome: agreed interim structure and recruitment approach.

Summary and close

  •  Recap of key decisions and actions
  • Confirm immediate next steps and timeline
  • Date of first peer forum / next meeting
  • Closing reflections and thanks

Please register to receive your MS Teams invite

Tagged : CUBO General, Accommodation, Commercial Services, Living Black at University
Type : Meeting

Bookings have now closed

Please contact contact@cubo.ac.uk for more information

Date: 
12th February 2026

Location: 
MS Teams 12:00 - 13:00

Price: 
FREE

12:00 - 13:00


 

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