• Swindon & Wiltshire Education, training and skills
• Thursday April 30 2026

Bristol University among best for producing business leaders

Bristol University has been named as one of the best institutions in the country for producing business leaders.

Researchers from Capital on Tap trawled through LinkedIn to find the alumni who had ‘CEO’, ‘founder’, or ‘managing director’ attached to their name.

Of its 155,337 alumni, 12.30 per cent of Bristol graduates have gone on to become CEOs, founders, or managing directors, including 4,868 CEOs, 8,768 founders, and 5,477 managing directors.

“Known for its strong academic reputation and entrepreneurial culture,” said the report, “Bristol continues to foster graduates who are well-equipped to lead and innovate across a wide range of industries.”

Ranked first was London School of Economics and Political Science, followed by University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Oxford, and University of Westminster.

Alex Miles, COO at Capital on Tap, said: “Our research shows that universities can act as pipelines for entrepreneurial talent.

“Whether graduates go on to become CEOs, freelancers, or startup founders, the common thread is confidence, resilience, and the ability to take risks.

“While a degree isn’t essential for success, university can provide aspiring business leaders with valuable skills, networks, and financial know-how.

“By getting involved early in enterprise hubs or pitch competitions, building connections with mentors and peers, experimenting with ideas, developing financial literacy, such as managing budgets or using tools like a business credit card, students can gain more than just a qualification.

“They graduate with the mindset to turn ambition into action.”