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October 2025 edition

Hello and welcome to our latest education bulletin.

As we head into the final months of 2025, collaboration, transparency, and adaptability continue to shape the conversation across the education sector. From strategic partnerships and governance to immigration reform and emerging legislation, this edition of our

newsletter brings together some of the key developments influencing institutions right now.

Smita Jamdar

Partner and Head of Education

A key topic of conversation at the minute, we look at higher education collaborations and mergers - unpacking why cultural alignment, shared purpose, and careful sequencing are at the heart of any successful partnership.

Elsewhere, we take a closer look at what the new anti-fraud legislation means for education providers, and how recent Skilled Worker Visa reforms are reshaping recruitment and compliance for employers.

Finally, we spotlight a growing conversation in further education — the FE Commissioner’s call for colleges to publish board minutes in the interest of transparency and accountability.

As always, if you’d like to discuss how these developments could affect your organisation, our team is always on hand to guide and support you.

Get in touch

AHUA Autumn Conference 2025

The AHUA Autumn Conference took place on 12 September at the Open University, bringing together over 100 senior leaders to explore the future of higher education. A key focus was the sector’s response to new free speech legislation, discussing legal and practical insights on how institutions are adapting to the evolving regulatory landscape.

Other highlights included a panel on collaboration and institutional change, with contributions from Ipsos UK, WonkHE, the OfS, and university leaders. Workshops covered governance, leadership skills, estate management, and sector efficiency. A full round-up of the conference is available here.

Our higher education consultancy services

We have a range of services designed to support management teams and governing bodies in managing an increasingly complex higher education landscape. Embedded within and drawing upon our nationally recognised higher education legal practice, our consultancy services help institutions implement strategies, projects and initiatives to secure their future success.We offer the full range of support for all parts of higher education from large universities to small specialist institutions and from private and alternative providers to new and aspiring entrants to the sector.

Read our brochure to find out more.

Our latest education thoughts and insights

Higher Education Collaborations and Mergers: Getting the Cart and Horse in the Right Order

Read More >

What does new anti-fraud legislation mean for education providers?

Read More >

Get on board and publish your minutes, FE Commissioner tells colleges

Read More >

Our other thoughts and insights

Employment Case Law Update | Autumn 2025

Read More >

Skilled Worker Visa Changes – What This Means for Your Business

Read More >

Events and webinars

Book now

Immigration Law Update for Sponsors: Key Changes to the Skilled Worker route

This live webinar for sponsors will provide a clear overview of the Skilled Worker route changes introduced on 22 July 2025. Following the government’s May 2025 immigration white paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, significant changes to the immigration rules have been introduced, with further reforms expected.

Webinar | 9:30am - 10:15am

UK Data Protection and ePrivacy Law Update 2025: What You Need to Know

After a few years of debate, UK data protection law is shifting – some changes are already in force, others are imminent, and some controversial proposals have quietly disappeared. This webinar cuts through the noise and gives you the essentials.

Watch webinar

As always, we encourage you to engage with us through feedback, suggestions, and discussions. Please get in touch with any queries regarding the subjects discussed in this edition or any topics you would like to see in the future.

www.shma.co.uk

We are here to help, get in contact with us or you can call us on 0330 024 0333 - we'd love to understand how we can help you and your business.

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Updated: September 2025

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