Hertfordshire Business School and London South Bank University (LSBU) Business School have been reaccredited with the Small Business Charter (SBC) for their commitment to small businesses and entrepreneurship.
Hertfordshire Business School has been awarded SBC reaccreditation for five years, in recognition of its strong commitment to placing the interests of small businesses at the heart of its mission and its active role within the regional ecosystem. Assessors highlighted the school’s hands-on support for students exploring entrepreneurship or seeking to grow existing ventures through dedicated programmes. They also commended the school’s expanding knowledge exchange activities, which provide direct support to SMEs and further the wider SBC mission.
Professor Damian Ward, Dean of Hertfordshire Business School, said:
“Being reaccredited for the full five-year term with the Small Business Charter is fantastic news. It reflects how Hertfordshire Business School has become an integral part of the regional business community, helping companies to start up, grow and thrive.”
LSBU Business School has been awarded reaccreditation for a further three years. The panel of assessors commended the school for its strong small business support and engagement, which reflects both its local context and the needs of its student community. The school’s activities are closely aligned with the region’s high concentration of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the university’s wider commitment to social mobility and widening participation. Assessors also highlighted the school’s initiatives, including Help to Grow: Management and the Clarence Centre, noting their proven track record in fostering enterprise and entrepreneurship and in supporting the growth and development of SMEs.
Professor Petko Kusev, Head of LSBU Business School said:
“The successful reaccreditation of LSBU Business School for the Small Business Charter is a strong endorsement of the progress we have made over recent years. Being awarded 22 SBC dimensions reflects the strength of our academic ecosystem, our commitment to students, research and enterprise, and the impact of our partnerships within London and beyond. This achievement is a collective one, made possible by the dedication of our LSBU colleagues and the continued support of our external partners.”
Flora Hamilton, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said:
“These schools have shown an outstanding commitment to supporting small businesses, fostering entrepreneurship, and strengthening their regional economies. These reaccreditations recognise the vital role business schools play in deepening engagement with SMEs to drive innovation and growth across the UK.”
Find out more:
Hertfordshire Business School | Small Business Charter
London South Bank University Business School | Small Business Charter