On Thursday 20th November, our Year 13 IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) students had the privilege to have a guided tour of British Land's office campus at Paddington Central. This offered them a rare glimpse into one of Europe's largest listed real estate and investment companies and they enjoyed a unique learning experience by interacting with British Land professionals.

British Land's Paddington Central spans 11 acres and represents a decades-long transformation of what was once an underutilised canal-side industrial area into a thriving business district. The development includes several office buildings, retail spaces, and public realm improvements that have helped establish Paddington as a major employment hub.

"It was fascinating to see how they've integrated the historic Paddington Basin with modern architecture," said Ibrahim, IBCP Business student. "The way they've created public spaces around the canal really shows how commercial development can enhance urban life rather than detract from it."

During the half-day visit, students met with members of British Land's development and sustainability teams, who explained the company's approach to creating flexible workspaces that meet the evolving needs of modern businesses. The tour highlighted features such as outdoor terraces, collaborative work areas, and the site's excellent connectivity to central London via Paddington Station.

A particular focus of the discussion was sustainability. British Land representatives outlined the company's commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions across its portfolio and explained how Paddington Central incorporates energy-efficient systems, green roofs, and biodiversity initiatives. The students also learned about the challenges of working on large-scale, long-term developments in central London, including navigating planning regulations, coordinating with Transport for London, and maintaining operations while construction continues on adjacent phases.

Johnny Shonibare-Soutan, London Regional Manager for Career Ready (https://careerready.org.uk/), who organised the visit, emphasized the educational value of such industry partnerships. "Exposing our students to leading developers like British Land helps them understand the complexities of urban regeneration projects. It bridges the gap between academic theory and professional practice and gives them the opportunity to explore career options within Westminster.”

British Land expressed enthusiasm about engaging with the next generation of IBCP Business and Science professionals, and indicated that similar educational visits would continue as part of their community engagement programme.

The visit concluded with a networking session where students could ask questions about career paths in property development, real estate and project management with several expressing interest in applying for internships with the company.

As London continues to evolve and densify, understanding how major developments like Paddington Central shape the city's future remains essential knowledge for tomorrow's young professionals at Westminster Academy.

Ms Jugoo, Teacher of Business and Travel & Tourism; BTEC Quality Nominee