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SOC Wins Business of the Year, Expands Labs, HQ and Dubai Campus

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  • The coding and AI teaching firm, with Birmingham and Wolverhampton bases, was named business of the year by a Birmingham group
    The coding and AI teaching firm, with Birmingham and Wolverhampton bases, was named business of the year by a Birmingham group
    Image: BBC
    The coding and AI teaching firm, with Birmingham and Wolverhampton bases, was named business of the year by a Birmingham group (School of Coding & AI) Source Full size

Award Victory Highlights Rapid Growth SOC secured the Business of the Year accolade at Birmingham’s Signature Awards on 20 February 2026, underscoring its rising influence in UK tech education [1]. The ceremony recognized the school’s impact on regional skill development and its expanding student base [1]. Founder and CEO Manny Athwal accepted the award, describing it as validation of the firm’s real‑world impact [1].

£2.5 Million Tech Lab and Wolverhampton HQ Revamp Completed During the past year SOC opened a £2.5 million technology laboratory in Birmingham, equipped for AI and coding training [1]. The company also finished a major redevelopment of its Wolverhampton headquarters, increasing training capacity and modernising facilities [1]. These investments aim to meet growing demand for digital skills in the Midlands [1].

International and City‑Centre Campuses Strengthen Global Footprint SOC launched an overseas campus in Dubai, extending its curriculum to Middle Eastern students and signalling a strategic global expansion [1]. In early 2025, a new city‑centre campus opened in Wolverhampton through a partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, offering computer science, business management and health‑social‑care programmes integrated with AI [1]. Both campuses broaden the school’s reach and diversify its student population [1].

Founder Athwal Emphasises Midlands Roots Amid Expansion Manny Athwal praised the award as a “great honour,” highlighting the school’s origins in the Midlands while celebrating its international growth [1]. He noted that the recent infrastructure projects and new campuses reflect SOC’s commitment to delivering practical tech education locally and abroad [1]. Athwal’s comments link the award to the institution’s broader mission of regional economic development [1].

Sources

Timeline

2017 – The School of Coding & AI launches in the West Midlands, establishing a coding and AI education provider that later expands through university partnerships and international campuses [1][2].

Early 2025 – The school opens a Birmingham campus in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, delivering computer‑science, business‑management and health‑social‑care courses that embed AI across the curriculum [2][1].

Early 2025 – A new city‑centre campus begins operating in Wolverhampton, co‑delivered with the University of Wolverhampton, expanding training capacity and integrating AI into diverse programmes [1][2].

Sep 2025 – The Birmingham site unveils a £2.5 million technology laboratory featuring game‑design workstations, a podcast studio, an in‑house research centre and an interactive AI avatar, showcasing the school’s hands‑on AI approach [2][1].

2025 – The Wolverhampton headquarters undergoes a £2.5 million redevelopment, modernising facilities to support increased student numbers and the launch of new tech‑focused programmes [1].

Jan 2026 – The school announces a £3 million Dubai Media City campus slated to open in March 2026, aiming to upskill around 2,000 learners with flexible AI and digital‑skill programmes; founder‑CEO Manny Athwal calls it “an exciting next step toward becoming a global player” [2].

Jan 2026 – UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant says the Dubai investment “highlights a growing UK‑UAE partnership and aligns with our International Education Strategy and modern Industrial Strategy’s focus on digital and technology sectors” [2].

Feb 20 2026 – SOC wins Business of the Year at Birmingham’s Signature Awards; Manny Athwal says, “This recognition shows the real‑world impact we are making,” and expresses pride in the firm’s Midlands roots while noting its global growth [1].

Mar 2026 – The Dubai campus officially opens, offering on‑site and online delivery to meet regional demand for tech talent and preparing for enrolment in May [2].

May 2026 – Student enrollment begins at the Dubai campus, targeting up to 2,000 students from the UAE and abroad and providing pathways to university progression [2].

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