Leeds Trinity University Business School has been accredited with the Small Business Charter in recognition of its work to support small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and the local economy.
The school has demonstrated its commitment to nurturing SME growth in the West Yorkshire area through its collaborative approach to partners and SME clients. Leeds Trinity University Business School has built a strong reputation for responsive, timely, and practical provision of support to these groups.
The panel were particularly impressed by the school’s AD:VENTURE programme. Funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Partners and initially the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the programme helps new businesses in West Yorkshire with business growth support. Between 2018-2023, over 1,500 businesses participated in this programme and a regional total of 890 new jobs were created. Many of those supported by the programme were young people referred by the Prince’s Trust. Leeds Trinity University Business School academics deliver over 80% of the programme, which continues to evolve. While the ERDF funding has now ended, Leeds Trinity University Business School continues to play a fundamental role in the programme and drive growth for local businesses.
Leeds Trinity University Business School faculty are engaged with a number of national entrepreneurial networks such as EEUK and ISBE and regional networks such as the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, Chamber of Commerce, FSB, Leeds Digital Forum, and the West Yorkshire Startup Forum.
It is evident that entrepreneurship is embedded in the curriculum, and a particular strength for Leeds Trinity University Business School. The school provides incubation and acceleration programmes for student start-ups, as well as a dedicated “start-up space” equipped with resources and facilities to foster innovation and collaboration. Current students benefit from the university's alumni network which provides access to successful entrepreneurs for mentorship and support.
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. Leeds Trinity Business School will hold the award for 3 years. There are 68 business schools that hold the Small Business Charter in the UK and Ireland.
Professor Yanguo Jing, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Computing and Digital Industries at Leeds Trinity University, said:
“Leeds Trinity University Business School and wider university community have been very active in supporting small businesses, local economies, and our student entrepreneurship. I am delighted that this has been recognized with the Small Business Charter Award accreditation. This significant milestone for the Business School won’t be possible without the hard work and commitment from everyone in the university who have contributed towards each dimension of the award. We look forward to working with Small Business Charter to supporting small businesses and our students in achieving many more entrepreneurial successes.”
Flora Hamilton, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools said:
“We congratulate Leeds Trinity University Business School on its Small Business Charter accreditation. They have developed a really great reputation for SME support and have effectively embedded entrepreneurship into the school’s curriculum. It is fantastic that the school uses links with regional stakeholders to create a framework of support for SMEs in the Yorkshire region, and we’re delighted to endorse their impact through the SBC accreditation.”