Date: 2 November 2026
Prepared by: Concerned Derby Residents

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Over the past two years, residents of Derby have noticed the increasing presence of UK Management College (UKMC) in the city centre.

Buildings are being occupied or proposed for use by this private higher education provider, raising important questions about ownership, public funding, educational quality and the long-term impact on Derby.

We support education and opportunities for students. However, we believe residents and taxpayers deserve transparency about the organisations operating in our city.

Of particular concern is the reported £62 million in Student Finance England funding associated with approximately 3,400 students studying UKMC-delivered courses during the 2024/25 academic year.

This raises a fundamental question:

Where does £62 million go, and what educational value is being delivered?

These figures cover UKMC nationally, not Derby alone.

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According to Department for Education parliamentary disclosures for 2024/25:

This represents approximately £18,452 per supported student.

Importantly, this does not mean UKMC received £18,452 for each student. The £62 million may include maintenance loans paid directly to students alongside tuition fee loans.

Nevertheless, we believe a full financial breakdown is necessary.



1. How much of the £62 million was for tuition fees?
2. How much was paid directly to students for living expenses?
3. How much money was actually received by UKMC?
4. How much was retained by its university partners?
5. How much was spent on qualified teaching staff?
6. How much was spent on classrooms, equipment and student support?
7. How much was spent on recruitment and marketing?
8. What profits or dividends were distributed?
9. Were payments made to companies connected to the owners?
10. What percentage of students successfully completed their courses?

Publicly backed student finance should deliver measurable educational value, not merely high student enrolment numbers.

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UK Management College Ltd was incorporated on 3 May 2016.

The company was originally called The UK Marketing Consultant Ltd before changing its name in 2021.

Public Companies House records identify:

Md Zahidul Islam

The Unibridge Group Ltd

Although these records identify an ownership structure, they do not necessarily explain all financial arrangements between connected businesses.



We want greater transparency about:

Our concerns relate to corporate accountability, not anyone's nationality or personal background.

Residents should be able to understand who controls an organisation receiving substantial income supported by public student finance.

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Derby has experienced significant changes to its city centre, including vacant shops and commercial premises.

New educational institutions can bring investment, employment and increased footfall.

However, residents have noticed UKMC expanding into city-centre premises over a relatively short period.

This raises questions about the future character and economic development of Derby.



We do not oppose the use of empty buildings for education.

However, we believe that substantial changes to our city centre should be transparent, properly planned and demonstrably beneficial to residents.

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The purpose of a college should be to deliver high-quality education.

UKMC operates through partnerships with universities, including Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Wolverhampton.

We believe there should be clear evidence of the educational outcomes being achieved.







Enrolling thousands of students does not, by itself, prove that thousands are receiving a worthwhile education.

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Private education providers can play an important role in widening access to higher education.

However, when commercial revenue is closely linked to student enrolment, there is a potential risk that recruitment targets receive greater emphasis than educational outcomes.

We believe the funding system should be examined to ensure that providers are properly accountable for the quality of education delivered.

The central questions are:

Are financial incentives aligned with student success?

Does the public receive sufficient information about how student-finance-supported tuition income is spent?

Are existing regulators able to monitor rapid expansion effectively?

We are not alleging that UKMC has fraudulently obtained student finance.

We are asking whether sufficient safeguards and transparency exist to protect students and public funds.

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UKMC's expansion may generate benefits for the city.

These could include:

However, these benefits should be measured rather than assumed.

We want to know:

1. How many UKMC students are based in Derby?
2. How many are Derby residents?
3. How many attend classes regularly?
4. How many local people are employed by UKMC?
5. What is the college's measurable contribution to Derby's economy?
6. How does its provision support local skills shortages?
7. What proportion of graduates achieve positive educational or employment outcomes?

Without this information, residents cannot properly assess whether the expansion benefits the city.

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We call upon Derby City Council, the Department for Education, the Office for Students, the Student Loans Company and UKMC's university partners to provide greater clarity.



Publish or explain the breakdown of the £62 million in student finance, distinguishing tuition fees from student maintenance support.

Clarify the amounts retained by UKMC and its university partners.



Provide a clear explanation of UKMC's ownership structure, significant controllers and material financial relationships with connected companies.



Publish meaningful information about student attendance, course completion, qualifications and graduate outcomes.



Assess the effects of UKMC's expansion on city-centre development, employment, commercial premises and local services.



Invite UKMC and its university partners to explain their expansion strategy, educational standards and financial arrangements to Derby residents.

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Derby deserves investment.

Derby deserves high-quality educational opportunities.

Derby also deserves transparency about organisations operating in its city centre and benefiting from government-backed student finance.

The reported £62 million associated with approximately 3,400 students is a substantial amount of funding.

We believe residents have a legitimate interest in understanding how that money is distributed and what educational outcomes it supports.

We are not suggesting that UK Management College or its directors have committed wrongdoing.

We are asking for evidence, accountability and transparency.

Our questions are straightforward:

Who controls UK Management College?

Where does the £62 million in student finance go?

How much is actually spent on education?

What qualifications and outcomes are students achieving?

What long-term benefits does Derby receive from this expansion?

Until these questions are answered with clear and independently verifiable evidence, legitimate concerns about transparency and public value will remain.



SHOW US WHERE THE MONEY GOES.

SHOW US THE EDUCATIONAL RESULTS.

SHOW US WHAT DERBY GAINS.

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1. UK Parliament — Department for Education written answers, October 2026.
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/

2. Companies House — UK Management College Ltd, company number 10159748.
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10159748

3. Companies House — The Unibridge Group Ltd, company number 15336503.
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15336503

4. Office for Students.
https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/

5. Derby City Council — Planning and Development.
https://www.derby.gov.uk/

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Disclaimer: This report raises questions of public interest based on reported figures and publicly available company information. It does not allege or establish fraud, misconduct or improper financial activity. Financial figures, corporate records and educational outcomes should be independently verified before formal publication.