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Business leadership has emerged as one of the defining career paths of the last decade. Whether it’s heading up a tech start-up, running a local company, or building an independent career through freelancing, more people in the UK are stepping into leadership roles. In 2024, there were an estimated 5.5 million private sector businesses operating across the UK, underlining the scale of the nation’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Universities are increasingly part of that story. They are much more than just places to study; they are launchpads for future CEOs and founders. From dedicated incubators and business accelerators to mentoring schemes and powerful alumni networks, universities provide the resources, inspiration, and connections that help students turn ideas into thriving ventures.
To uncover which institutions are leading the way, the team at Capital on Tap have analysed LinkedIn alumni data across major UK universities. We compared the total number of graduates with those now holding leadership titles such as CEO, Founder, and Managing Director to identify where the most business leaders are learning the ropes. We also examined the proportion of alumni working as freelancers to capture the growing number of independent self-starters. This data reveals the universities producing the highest share of business leaders and self-starters in 2025.
The UK universities producing the most business leaders
From dorm-room ideas to boardroom titles, universities can be powerful springboards for entrepreneurship. We analysed LinkedIn alumni data to uncover which UK institutions produce the highest share of business leaders (including CEOs, Managing Directors and similar leadership roles).
|
Rank |
University |
Total alumni count |
Number of CEOs |
Number of Founders |
Number of Managing Directors |
% of alumni who are Business Leaders |
|
1 |
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) |
326,403 |
19,012 |
28,943 |
15,162 |
19.34% |
|
2 |
University of Cambridge |
414,923 |
22,709 |
33,529 |
16,812 |
17.61% |
|
3 |
Imperial College London |
163,076 |
8,121 |
13,416 |
6,524 |
17.21% |
|
4 |
University of Oxford |
344,399 |
19,595 |
20,523 |
14,054 |
15.73% |
|
5 |
University of Westminster |
161,738 |
5,518 |
10,936 |
5,229 |
13.41% |
|
6 |
University of Bristol |
155,337 |
4,868 |
8,768 |
5,477 |
12.30% |
|
7 |
University of Edinburgh |
197,164 |
6,193 |
12,321 |
5,687 |
12.27% |
|
8 |
University of Manchester |
300,422 |
10,569 |
15,143 |
11,022 |
12.23% |
|
9 |
University College London (UCL) |
273,581 |
8,284 |
18,482 |
6,625 |
12.21% |
|
10 |
University of Durham |
124,739 |
4,178 |
6,051 |
4,804 |
12.05% |
1. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
With an impressive 19.34% of alumni in leadership roles, LSE leads the UK in producing business leaders. Among its 326,403 graduates, 19,012 are CEOs, 28,943 are founders, and 15,162 are managing directors.
This success isn't just about numbers, it's about support on campus. At the heart of this ecosystem is LSE Generate, the university’s dedicated home for entrepreneurship. The programme provides free co-working space (the GenDen), one-to-one clinics with Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, pitch competitions, mentorship, accelerator opportunities, and a global support network. LSE Generate was also named the number one university start-up hub in the UK and ranked sixth in Europe’s leading start-up hubs
2. University of Cambridge
Cambridge comes second in our ranking, with 17.61% of its 414,923 graduates now holding leadership roles. This includes 22,709 CEOs and 33,529 founders. Much of this success is rooted within the Cambridge Judge Entrepreneurship Centre, which offers flagship programmes such as Ignite (an intensive entrepreneurial bootcamp), Accelerate Cambridge (a venture accelerator providing mentoring, workshops and workspace), and EnterpriseTECH (a 10-week programme helping researchers bring new ideas to market). These initiatives connect students with mentors, investors, and industry leaders, ensuring Cambridge graduates are not only sparking ideas but also turning them into successful ventures.
3. Imperial College London
Imperial secured the third spot, with 17.21% of alumni in leadership roles. Out of its 163,076 graduates, 8,121 are CEOs, 13,416 are founders, and 6,524 are managing directors.
The university is renowned for transforming STEM expertise into commercial ventures, supported by the Imperial Enterprise Lab. This hub provides co-working space, mentoring, pitch challenges, and tailored support for underrepresented founders. Programmes like the Venture Catalyst Challenge help students test and scale ideas, while accelerator schemes link them directly to funding and industry partners. With its combination of technical excellence and practical entrepreneurial support, Imperial has established itself as one of the UK’s most dependable engines of startup talent.
A standout beyond the Russell Group
While long-established institutions take the top four spots, Westminster stands out as the highest-ranking non-Russell Group university. With 13.41% of alumni in leadership roles, including 5,518 CEOs and 10,936 founders, it outperforms many Russell Group peers in our ranking. This strong showing demonstrates that entrepreneurial and leadership success is not limited to the UK’s oldest or most prestigious institutions.
The UK universities producing the most freelancers
Alongside leadership positions, freelancing has become an increasingly popular route for graduates, offering flexibility and independence while still demanding the same entrepreneurial skills. But which universities are producing the most freelancers?
|
Rank |
University |
Total alumni count |
Number of Freelancers |
% of alumni who are Freelancers |
|
1 |
University of Westminster |
161,738 |
8,546 |
5.28% |
|
2 |
University of Sussex |
116,305 |
5,464 |
4.70% |
|
3 |
Manchester Metropolitan University |
176,593 |
7,295 |
4.13% |
|
4 |
University of East Anglia (UEA) |
100,808 |
3,957 |
3.93% |
|
5 |
University of Edinburgh |
197,164 |
7,720 |
3.92% |
|
6 |
University of Leeds |
240,304 |
9,293 |
3.87% |
|
7 |
University of Lincoln |
74,540 |
2,742 |
3.68% |
|
8 |
University of Bristol |
155,337 |
5,685 |
3.66% |
|
9 |
University of Cambridge |
414,923 |
14,531 |
3.50% |
|
10 |
University of St Andrews |
71,832 |
2,469 |
3.44% |
1. University of Westminster
Westminster leads the way, with 5.28% of its 161,738 graduates working as freelancers. The university has long-standing strengths in media, design, fashion, and the arts, disciplines where freelancing is a common career route. Its central London location also gives graduates proximity to the UK’s largest concentration of creative industries, providing opportunities for independent careers in areas from film production to digital content.
2. University of Sussex
Sussex takes second place, with 4.70% of its 116,305 graduates choosing freelance paths. The university is recognised for its focus on humanities, social sciences, and creative subjects, all fields where independent consultancy and project-based work are widespread. Its location near Brighton, a city with a thriving digital and cultural sector, also gives alumni access to a strong freelance ecosystem in areas such as tech, design, and creative services.
3. Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University takes third place with 4.13% of its 176,593 graduates working as freelancers. The university has strong foundations in creative disciplines such as art, design, fashion, and media, areas where independent work is a well-established career path. Combined with Manchester’s position as a major UK hub for media and cultural industries, this may help explain the strong freelance representation among its alumni.
How to make the most of your time at university
Turning ambition into action during your student years can lay the groundwork for long-term success. Alex Miles, Chief Operating Officer at Capital on Tap, has shared some advice on how students can make the most of the opportunities available to them and prepare for life as future business leaders.
Alex comments:
“Our research highlights how universities can act as pipelines for entrepreneurial talent. Whether graduates go on to become CEOs, launch startups, or build freelance careers, the common thread is self-direction and the confidence to take risks. While many successful entrepreneurs never attended university, higher education can provide aspiring business leaders with valuable skills, networks, and support."
For those looking to follow in the footsteps of today’s business leaders, there are five practical ways to make the most of the student experience:
1. Get involved early
Explore what your university has to offer. Consider joining enterprise hubs, entrepreneurship societies, or business pitch competitions to gain first-hand experience. These opportunities help you learn how to refine ideas, collaborate, and handle constructive feedback.
2. Build your network
Connect with alumni, mentors, and peers. Many successful entrepreneurs credit their university connections with sparking collaborations or opening doors that shaped their careers.
3. Experiment with ideas
University is the perfect environment to try things out. Launch a side hustle, start a student business, or run events, as each attempt builds resilience and adaptability.
4. Develop financial skills
Creativity is vital, but financial literacy is what keeps a business alive. That means learning how to budget, manage cash flow, and understand the tools available to business owners. For many entrepreneurs, a business credit card becomes an essential way to cover everyday expenses, track spending, and stay flexible as their venture grows.
5. Embrace failure as part of the process
Setbacks are inevitable, but they are also invaluable. University offers a safe space to fail, recover, and try again, building the resilience needed to thrive beyond campus.
By combining ambition with these practical steps, students can graduate with more than just a degree. They will leave equipped with the entrepreneurial mindset, financial know-how, and confidence to turn ideas into lasting businesses.
Sources and methodology
To identify the UK universities producing the most business leaders in 2025, we analysed LinkedIn alumni data across a seedlist of major institutions using the following metrics:
-
Total alumni count: collected from each university’s LinkedIn “Alumni” section, covering all graduates from 1900 to the present.
-
% of entrepreneurial alumni: calculated by searching alumni for leadership titles including “CEO,” “Founder,” and “Managing Director,” and comparing the total against each university’s alumni base.
To uncover the universities producing the most freelancers, we also pulled:
-
Number of freelancers: determined by searching for alumni listing “Freelance” in their job titles, again measured as a proportion of the total alumni base.
The data was collected on 31 July 2025.
