The Faculty of Business and Law at Anglia Ruskin University and Queen’s Business School have been reaccredited with the Small Business Charter (SBC) for their exceptional contribution to small businesses and their local communities.
The Faculty of Business and Law at Anglia Ruskin University has been awarded the reaccreditation for three years. The panel of independent assessors commended the school for its broad engagement with local SMEs and businesses, as well as its sustained commitment to the regional ecosystem through a range of incubator and accelerator facilities. They also highlighted the impact of the ‘Entrepreneur in Residence’ role, which provides hands-on support to SMEs.
Professor Mohammad Ali, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law at Anglia Ruskin University, said:
“We’re thrilled that the Faculty of Business and Law at ARU has successfully renewed its Small Business Charter accreditation. We’re especially proud that the panel recognised our longstanding commitment and positive impact of our work across the region supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship and local economies.”
Queen’s Business School has been awarded the SBC reaccreditation for five years. The panel of independent assessors praised the school for its strategic focus on supporting small businesses, entrepreneurship, and the local economy. This support is exemplified by student-led Consulting and Entrepreneurship Society which offers students real-world consulting opportunities where members engage directly with startups to solve business challenges.
Professor M.N. Ravishankar, Dean and Head of Queen's Business School said:
"In Queen's 180th anniversary year, we are very proud to have our Small Business Charter accreditation renewed, alongside recently achieving triple accreditation status from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. These achievements are strong endorsements of the School’s commitment to excellence in business education, research, entrepreneurship, and engagement with the region's business community.
"The Small Business Charter plays an important role in recognising the ways universities contribute to driving regional economic growth, and we look forward to building on this success by continuing to support businesses in Northern Ireland and also equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to lead, innovate and thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.”
Flora Hamilton, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said:
“This is a significant achievement for these business schools, which have successfully secured reaccreditation with the Small Business Charter. Each school has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting student enterprise and small businesses within their local communities, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with them as part of the Small Business Charter network.”
The Small Business Charter is a national accreditation, assessed by small business leaders, to recognise business schools which demonstrate excellence in supporting small businesses, student enterprise, and the local economy.
There are 68 business schools across the UK and Ireland that hold the Small Business Charter accreditation.