London Metropolitan University is now one of just 30 universities across the UK to hold Archive Service Accreditation, recognising the excellence of its Special Collections.
Date: 5 August 2026
London Metropolitan University Special Collections has been awarded Archive Service Accreditation, the UK-wide standard for archive services. This prestigious award recognises the quality of its collections and services, as well as its commitment to preserving and providing access to archival records in support of research, learning and teaching.
Awarded by The National Archives, in partnership with archive sector organisations across the UK, Archive Service Accreditation is the recognised benchmark for excellence in archive services. It demonstrates that an archive service is meeting nationally agreed standards for organisational resilience, collections management and public access, while providing a framework for continuous improvement.
Library Services and Special Collections is home to a number of significant archives, including the University Archive, the Trades Union Congress Library Collections, the Archive of the Irish in Britain, and the Frederick Parker Business Archive.
Together, these collections play an important role in supporting teaching and research across the University, while also underpinning a growing programme of public engagement, including work with schools and The National Saturday Club. This programme is delivered in partnership with the Outreach and Widening Participation team.
David Baldwin, Head of Special Collections, said: "I'm incredibly proud of the Special Collections team for their dedication to developing, caring for and sharing these remarkable collections. I’d also like to thank our academic colleagues, who help us bring the collections to life through object-led learning, and our students, whose curiosity and enthusiasm continually inspire us to find new ways to make these archives more accessible, relevant and engaging.
“This recognition also reflects the invaluable support of the University's Senior Leadership Team, whose encouragement and investment have enabled us to build a service that meets the highest national standards while continuing to expand our reach and connect more people with our collections."
London Met is one of only 30 Universities across the UK to hold Archive Service Accreditation, joining a select group of higher education institutions recognised for excellence in archive management. Accredited universities include University College London, Cardiff University, the University of Bradford and the University of Cambridge, placing London Met amongst some of the country's leading custodians of academic and cultural archives.
The Archive Service Accreditation Panel observed the archive service’s ‘impressive development’ over recent years and noted ‘its collaborative approach to delivery and positive engagement with digital opportunities.’ The panel were also impressed by the strong wider organisational support for the archive service.
Students, staff and the wider public are welcome to visit Special Collections on the First Floor of the Learning Centre and consult selected records online through the Special Collections catalogue.
Pictured: items from the the Archive of the Irish in Britain