Three schools have been successful in their reassessments for the prestigious Small Business Charter.
The Small Business Charter is an accreditation that recognises business schools that demonstrate excellence in supporting small businesses, student enterprise, and their local economy. Each school underwent a rigorous assessment process conducted by an independent panel - including small business leaders.
The business schools are:
Leeds University Business School
Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia
University of Central Lancashire, School of Business
Leeds University Business School
Leeds University Business School (LUBS) has been reaccredited for three years, maintaining its decade-long status as an SBC-accreditation holder. The school was commended for its strong performance in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and the panel also noted that LUBS continues to be a highly regarded institution within its business community and regional stakeholder networks, praising its dynamic staff for their passion in supporting SME growth and enabling entrepreneurship, both locally and internationally, particularly in Africa.
Professor Julia Bennell, Executive Dean of Leeds University Business School, said:
“I am delighted that we have been re-accredited by the Small Business Charter for a further three years. Many thanks to the team from LUBS and the wider university that participated in the assessment. Through this accreditation, we can run the Help to Grow: Management programme, which supports small businesses with foundational business management skills and knowledge. However, beyond that, our deep engagement with enterprise and SMEs is evident in our taught educational offering and through our world leading research, impact and knowledge exchange. We are proud of our full spectrum of work with SMEs; and the Small Business Charter is a testament to it.”
Norwich Business School, University of East Anglia
Reaccredited for five years, the panel acknowledged Norwich Business School’s strong culture of enterprise and innovation. The school has made significant strides in supporting local SMEs through strategic partnerships and initiatives that enhance business development, as well as providing students with hands-on experience that prepares them for entrepreneurial success.
Amir Sharif, Head of Norwich Business School, said: “I am extremely happy and delighted with the news that Norwich Business School has been able to achieve the full five-year reaccreditation for the Small Business Charter. This reaccreditation serves to highlight our strong commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, enterprise, and small business engagement through our well-integrated approach, with a clear alignment between strategy, curriculum design, external engagement, and impact evaluation. This will certainly continue to motivate us to continue enhancing our engagement with business, informing our programme portfolio, and advancing applied research excellence through deepening our support for the local and regional economy."
University of Central Lancashire, School of Business
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) School of Business has been reaccredited for five years and impressed the panel of assessors with their dedication to entrepreneurship, enterprise, and SME engagement. The school has created a culture of innovation and success, building a robust framework to support student entrepreneurs while strengthening its relationships with SMEs across the region.
Professor Steven Rhoden, Dean of the School of Business, added: “We are committed to being one of the most inclusive and transformational business schools in the UK. The school has a sustained positive economic and social impact within the region and beyond, positively changing lives through business and enterprise. The refreshed 2025-28 School of Business strategy commits to capitalising on the reputation and maximise the impact of the award-winning Centre for SME and Enterprise Development as a beacon of excellence, transforming lives, businesses and communities.”
Flora Hamilton, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said:
"We are delighted to congratulate Leeds University Business School, Norwich Business School and UCLan School of Business on their reaccreditations. These schools exemplify the impact business schools are having on their local economies and beyond, equipping students and businesses alike with the skills and support needed to thrive. We are proud to continue working with them."
There are 68 business schools across the UK and Ireland that hold the Small Business Charter accreditation.