The Small Business Charter is delighted to announce the appointment of Byron Dixon OBE, Founder and CEO of Micro-Fresh, as its new Chair.
Taking over from outgoing Chair Michael Hayman MBE, Byron brings extensive entrepreneurial experience as the Founder of Micro-Fresh, a multi-award-winning freshness technology for high performing brands in textiles, healthcare, construction, food and beverages, packaging, and the automotive industry. Micro-Fresh is also a successful scale up, exporting in several markets globally.
Byron is a strong advocate for small businesses and the critical role that business schools and universities play in empowering their success. He also supports initiatives that help disadvantaged entrepreneurs and promote growth.
In his role as Chair, Byron will lead the Small Business Charter on its mission to power economic growth through business schools who excel in supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and local economies.
The appointment comes as the Small Business Charter celebrates its 10th anniversary and the positive impact that SBC university business schools have on small businesses and economic growth across the UK.
Byron Dixon OBE said:
“I am honoured to take on the role of Chair of the Small Business Charter Management Board. Small businesses are a vital part of the UK economy and business schools play a critical role in their development. As an entrepreneur I have personally experienced the expertise and support that business schools provide, which have been invaluable in helping me to grow and develop my business. I look forward to working with the team and network of accredited schools to continue to strengthen the impact they have on small businesses in every part of the economy.”
Flora Hamilton, Executive Director, Small Business Charter said:
“We are delighted to welcome Byron to the Small Business Charter. Byron’s extensive experience as a successful entrepreneur and his passion for the role business schools can play in supporting small businesses make him perfectly suited to lead the SBC at this pivotal time. His leadership will help us build on our mission to connect business schools with small businesses to foster growth, innovation, and productivity.”
Professor Stewart Robinson, Chair of the Chartered ABS and Dean of Newcastle University Business School said:
“Byron brings invaluable expertise to his role as Chair of the Small Business Charter. As a successful business leader with extensive experience of working with business schools, he is uniquely positioned to champion the SBC’s mission and to help us work with government and other stakeholders in collaborating to accelerate economic growth. I look forward to working with him.”
In addition to leading Micro-Fresh, Byron is a member of the Government’s Expert Advisory Council for the Help to Grow: Management Course and serves as Pro Chancellor at De Montfort University.
The Small Business Charter now has 68 accredited business schools across the UK and Ireland, each with a track record of partnering with local stakeholders and national government to deliver high-impact growth programmes which empower small business success and economic growth.