UA92 & Fujitsu join forces to boost female leaders

University Academy 92 (UA92) has partnered with Fujitsu, using International Women's Day to spotlight women's representation in senior leadership across higher education and business.

The collaboration brings together UA92, a Manchester-based higher education provider co-founded by the Class of '92 football group and Lancaster University, and Fujitsu, a multinational technology company. The partnership is being positioned as a platform for discussion about leadership, workplace culture, and the role of male colleagues in addressing gender imbalance.

Recent UK government figures show women hold 43% of board roles and 35% of leadership roles across FTSE 350 companies-an apparent high point for representation in UK listed-company leadership. The picture looks different in higher education and research, where global research cited in the announcement puts women at less than 30% of top leadership roles.

UA92 and Fujitsu framed that contrast as a call to change workplace behaviours and leadership practices, with a particular focus on allyship from men in senior positions.

Higher education gap

UA92 Chief Executive Sara Prowse linked her experience in male-dominated settings to the continuing underrepresentation of women at the top of universities and research institutions.

"During my career I have been in many board rooms as the only female, and only recently have I seen gender representation changing for the better," Prowse said.

"For me, my mother was a huge role model who instilled a sense of hard work and determination; I started to see the glass ceiling as a target to be smashed through," she added.

"Growing up with four brothers, I learnt the power early of male allyship. When I look back at my career I have had many male supporters-bosses and colleagues-who helped to lift me up, hear my voice, value my contribution and treat me with equity and respect," Prowse said.

Prowse moved into higher education after working in commercial retail leadership, and said she found fewer women at senior levels in the education sector. UA92 has built its model around links with employers and industry bodies, running degree and higher education courses across business, sport, media and digital disciplines. It also provides apprenticeships for employers.

UA92's campus is in Old Trafford, Manchester, and it also has a Business School in the city centre. Lancaster University accredits UA92 degrees.

Industry links

Prowse described industry partnerships as central to UA92's approach, citing links with Microsoft, KPMG, Manchester United, McCann Manchester and Lancashire Cricket Club.

"The industry partnerships we have fostered with Microsoft, KPMG, Manchester United, McCann Manchester, and Lancashire Cricket Club, to name but a few, are a unique ingredient at UA92-not only to enhance the student experience and co-create and co-deliver curriculum, but to amplify our mission around equitable access to education," Prowse said.

UA92 has now added Fujitsu to its network of partners. The organisations have not released financial terms or operational details. Instead, the announcement centres on leadership and inclusion, using the International Women's Day theme for 2026, Give to Gain, as a framing device.

Allyship focus

Fujitsu Vice President Dave Riley addressed the role of men in workplace culture and decision-making. He described gender as a core element of Fujitsu's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion agenda, and linked diversity to organisational outcomes.

"Fujitsu has been clear that gender is a core part of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion agenda and that diversity at leadership and decision‐making levels strengthens how we serve our customers and society. From my perspective, this isn't abstract-I've seen how diverse teams challenge thinking, improve outcomes and make better decisions under pressure," Riley said.

He said he has heard female colleagues describe being talked over and having their capability questioned, and noted the risk of rushing to solutions rather than listening.

"In my career, there have been many times where female colleagues have shared experiences of being talked over, having their capability questioned or being held to different standards. Early on, I felt tempted to explain, rationalise or move quickly towards solutions to help or support them," Riley said.

"However, with time, experience and the ability to listen; I've come to understand that real allyship begins with believing lived experience, even when it's uncomfortable or challenges our assumptions about how balanced or fair the working environment already is," he added.

He argued for an approach to allyship focused on shifting dynamics inside teams and organisations.

"Therefore, in my view, allyship is also not about speaking up for women or stepping in as a 'rescuer'. It's about creating space, sharing power, and making sure women's voices, ideas and contributions are visible and valued in their own right, and in an equitable way," Riley said.

Riley called on male colleagues to commit to one practical behaviour and repeat it until it becomes habit. The partnership comes amid continued scrutiny of how institutions develop and promote talent, and how employers influence the skills pipeline through education links.

UA92 plans to continue working with industry partners as part of its curriculum and student experience. Fujitsu is expected to remain active in discussions about workplace inclusion and leadership practice.