St Mary’s University College was the winner of the ‘Belfast Brand’ Award at the 2024 Aisling Awards ceremony in Belfast. Gary Murphy, the College’s Estates Manager, collected the award for St Mary’s from Peter Boyle representing the sponsor, Argento.

The College submitted a case based around recent refurbishments including the new College Hall, Courtyard and other capital developments. It was informed by a definition of the ‘Belfast Brand’ which considers investment to be the source of transformation.

St Mary’s is now part of the city’s transformation and is a major agent of positive change at the heart of the community in West Belfast.

The College Principal, Professor Peter Finn KSG, said:

“At St Mary’s, we are delighted to receive the Belfast Brand Award which acknowledges our significant investment in the College Estate. There are many people responsible for our success but in particular I wish to thank Gary Murphy, Estates Manager, and Brian McFall, Director of Corporate Services, for their commitment to campus transformation. We are also thankful for the financial support and encouragement provided by the Minister and officials at the Department for the Economy.”

“The transformation of the St Mary’s campus adds value to the student experience and the new facilities support excellence in learning and teaching. The enhanced spaces at the College with new technology, greater functionality, additional seating, modern lighting and acoustics have raised the College to a new level of performance. The transformation is also an exercise in future-proofing.”