# Cass Business School to change name due to its slavery links

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/07/07/cass-business-school-to-change-name-due-to-its-slavery-links/
- Published: 2020-07-07T09:30:26+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**London’s City University has announced that its Business School will no longer
be known as Cass Business School, due to the historic links of Sir John Cass to 
the slave trade.**

 

The unanimous decision was taken by City’s Council on 3 July, following a broad 
consultation and on the basis that continued use of the Cass name was incompatible
with City’s values of diversity and inclusion.

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[The Business School](https://www.cass.city.ac.uk/) was renamed the Sir John Cass
Business School eighteen years ago, following a donation from the [Sir John Cass Foundation](https://sirjohncassfoundation.com/).
The Foundation was established in 1748 and named after Sir John Cass, whose wealth
was used posthumously to create the educational charity. It has already announced
that it will be changing its name, and removing the statue of Sir John from the 
facade of its offices on Jewry Street.

 

For now, the School will be referred to as City’s Business School while consultations
about a new name are set in motion.

 

Making the announcement, Julia Palca, Chair of City’s Council, said:

 

> “Any continued use of Sir John Cass’ name would be seen as condoning someone whose
> wealth in part derived from the exploitation of slavery. This is incompatible 
> with our values of diversity and inclusivity. We have therefore taken the decision
> to remove the name.”

 

Professor Paolo Volpin, Interim Dean, City’s Business School also commented:

 

> “This is the right decision but it is just the first step. It is important that
> we follow it up with clear and measurable actions that demonstrate our commitment
> to racial equality and inclusion. The School’s BAME community is leading a consultation
> to explore how we can increase inclusion across our School community in practical
> and measurable ways to ensure we celebrate uniqueness and work harder to enhance
> our vibrant sense of belonging.”

 

City has initiated a review of all historic sources of funding to determine if there
are any other links with slavery; and to make recommendations, chaired by Hunada
Nouss, a member of City’s Council. The review is expected to report in August.

 

London Metropolitan University’s the Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture 
and Design has also removed the name from its title. It will now change it in consultation
with students, staff, governors and alumni, and until a decision is reached, it 
will be known simply as The School of Art, Architecture and Design.

 

Sir John Cass Red Coat School in Stepney Way also announced in June that it would
be changing its name. 

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