Birmingham City University Business School, Cardiff Business School, and Queen Mary University Business School have been reaccredited with the Small Business Charter for five years, in recognition of their exceptional impact on small businesses and student entrepreneurship.
Birmingham City University Business School was commended for its structured support of student and graduate entrepreneurs, delivered through programmes such as BSEEN, the STEAMhouse Hatchery, and the STEAMhouse Pre-Incubator, which have supported over 1,000 student and graduate entrepreneurs.
The panel of assessors also praised the school for its work in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, which has proven successful in supporting small firms to innovate and grow. The school was also recognised for embedding enterprise education across a wide portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate modules.
Leanne De Main, Dean of the Business School at Birmingham City University (BCU) said:
“I’m delighted that we will continue to hold Small Business Charter status for the next five years and I’m extremely proud to receive recognition from the Chartered Association of Business Schools for the support we have given SMEs, our student entrepreneurs and the local economy.
“I am also pleased that BCU’s overall commitment to enterprise has been recognised, as it is at the core of the university’s mission to boost regional growth, focus on innovation, and deliver positive change for our community.”
Cardiff Business School was commended for demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting SMEs through Help to Grow: Management, and through collaborative innovation and R&D projects including the Wales Productivity Forum and the Cyber Innovation Hub, which have delivered clear growth in turnover and jobs for the SMEs involved.
The panel of assessors also praised the school for providing physical innovation and start-up spaces for student enterprise, academic spin-outs, and SMEs. Above all, the school demonstrated how SMEs are deeply embedded in the business school and wider university ecosystem, with established links to support staff and students alike.
Professor Tim Edwards, Outgoing Dean and Head of School, Cardiff Business School, said:
"Achieving a further 5 years’ accreditation for the Small Business Charter is a significant achievement for the school and university. It demonstrates the breadth and depth of support generated by colleagues creating opportunities and supporting businesses and organisations that deliver jobs, employability, social, and economic good."
Queen Mary University Business School was commended for its strong, well-integrated SME support ecosystem, delivered through initiatives such as The ReMAKE programme, Queen Mary Social Venture Fund, and the Entrepreneurship Hub. All three programmes showed strong evidence of SME engagement, resulting in improved business outcomes for participants.
Overall, the panel of assessors found that the school demonstrated a distinctive and impactful enterprise identity, underpinned by strong external partnerships, a committed team, and a genuine focus on inclusive entrepreneurship.
Professor Simon Macklin, Interim Dean, Queen Mary University Business School, said:
“This five-year reaccreditation is a significant achievement for Queen Mary and reflects the strength of our collective commitment to entrepreneurship and business engagement. It recognises the important contribution made by colleagues and students across the University, working alongside our external partners, to support businesses and strengthen our local and regional economy. We look forward to building on this success and expanding the impact of our research, education and business-support activities over the coming years.”
Flora Hamilton, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said:
“We are delighted to reaccredit these business schools with the Small Business Charter. The schools have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to supporting small businesses and student entrepreneurship by embedding SMEs and enterprise education within the business school and wider university ecosystem. We look forward to continuing to work with them.”
The Small Business Charter is an accreditation assessed by small business leaders, to recognise business schools which are centres of excellence in supporting small businesses, student enterprise, and the local economy.
There are now 70 business schools in the UK, and two internationally in Ireland and Australia, that hold the Small Business Charter accreditation.