CUBO, the association for commercial and campus services professionals in UK and Ireland higher and further education, has released their 2025 Benchmarking Report, providing a detailed analysis of commercial income streams across the sector. Now in its sixth year, this major research initiative conducted in partnership with Russell Partnership Consulting gives universities valuable benchmarking data on accommodation, catering, conferencing, retail, sport, residence life, and soft facilities management.
Key Findings from the 2025 Report
- Commercial income remains resilient, with an average total commercial income of £33.8 million per institution in 2023/24, up 2% from 2022/23.
- Accommodation remains the dominant revenue stream, accounting for 67% of commercial income, despite a 1% decline in residential income linked to a drop in student numbers.
- Catering income grew by 2%, reaching an average of £4.77 million per institution, although universities continue to absorb inflationary pressures rather than passing them directly to students.
- Conferencing revenue increased by 9%, reflecting growing demand, with the UK conference and events market forecasted to reach £25 billion by 2026.
- Sports services income grew by 10%, driven by increased non-student memberships and higher membership prices.
- Operating costs continue to rise, with staff wages increasing by an average of 7% and soft facilities management costs up 17% year-on-year.
The Importance of Benchmarking for Universities
The report highlights the increasing financial pressures on universities, including capped undergraduate fees, declining international student numbers, and rising operational costs. Benchmarking is critical in supporting universities through these challenges, helping commercial directors make informed decisions through assessing their competitiveness and identifying areas for strategic growth.
CUBO Executive Director, Nysa Pradhan, commented on the findings:
“This year’s report underscores both the challenges and opportunities within HE commercial services during this turbulent time for the sector. While financial pressures persist, the resilience and adaptability of our member institutions really shine through in the data. The continued growth we’re seeing in catering, conferencing, and sports income reflects the sector’s ability to innovate and evolve. We are committed to providing our members with robust data to support their strategic decision making and to bolster the long-term sustainability of commercial and campus services.”
The CUBO Benchmarking Report provides a critical resource for universities, offering comparative insights and opportunities for growth in an increasingly challenging financial landscape.
For more information or to access the full report, visit https://www.cubo.ac.uk/about/research/.
