Lancashire School for Business and Enterprise awarded Small Business Charter

After generating £15m for the local economy and providing a top-ranking platform for student start-ups, the Lancashire School for Business and Enterprise at the University of Central Lancashire has been awarded the Small Business Charter.

The award is a national accreditation, assessed by small business leaders, which recognises excellence in supporting small businesses, student enterprise, and the local economy. 

Through dedicated units including the Centre for SMEs and Enterprise Development, the Executive Education Leadership Hub and the Propeller Student Enterprise Service, the school was found to be proficient at responding to SME needs and nurturing the enterprising nature of students. It is home to the highest number of student start-ups in the North, ranking fifth overall in the UK.

The SBC assessment report verified that the funded business support projects across the Business School and wider university have assisted 1,744 SMEs, created 236 jobs and generated £15m to the local economy.

LSBE also recently appointed its first entrepreneurs-in-residence, seven business leaders who will bring real-world expertise and entrepreneurial practice to students, academics, and the SMEs who work with the school.

Professor Chris Pyke, executive dean of the Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise, said: “Achieving the Small Business Charter reflects our commitment to having a positive economic and social impact within the region and beyond, by being an innovative and enterprising business school, positively changing lives through business and enterprise.

"As a civic and anchor institution, we will continue our commitment to enterprise and SMEs supporting the regional development agenda which places Lancashire at the heart of opportunities arising from the National Industrial Strategy and as part of the Northern PowerHouse.”

The LSBE will hold the award for three years, with the Centre for SME and Enterprise Development achieving exemplar status. There are now 54 business schools that hold the SBC Award in the UK and Ireland.

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