Swansea University, School of Management 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 region through its Student Entrepreneurship Strategy, which has generated over 300 start-ups. This was recognised at the Santander X competition, and through its two-time shortlisting for THE Entrepreneurial University of the Year.
The business school is well integrated with public sector business support agencies such as Business Wales and the Welsh Government through the Youth Entrepreneurship Grant for business support strategies and national growth agendas. There is evidence of the impact of large scale and very successful projects such as ION Leadership, Bucanier and Agor IP.
The panel were particularly impressed by the various events Swansea hosts and takes part in to support its SME community, including the Swansea Business Club, LINC events (Business Breakfasts) and the Welsh CBI Annual Conference. These events enable the business school to engage with a wide range of high-profile regional SME leaders and networks such CBI Wales, MediWales, The Enterprise Europe Network, Chambers Wales (Chamber of Commerce), and the Swansea Bay Business Club.
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. Swansea University, School of Management will hold the award for 3 years. There are 67 business schools that hold the Small Business Charter in the UK and Ireland.
David Pickernell, Professor of Small Business and Enterprise Development Policy at Swansea University, School of Management, said:
“This is a great achievement and shows our ongoing commitment to fostering small business and entrepreneurship. Achieving Small Business Charter Accreditation is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the School of Management and wider university community, and reflects our contribution to fostering entrepreneurship and driving innovation and growth of small businesses and the wider economy.”
Flora Hamilton, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools said:
"We'd like to congratulate Swansea University, School of Management on achieving the Small Business Charter accreditation. The business school has clearly enabled a range of support opportunities for local SMEs and the impact of their work in the Welsh region is tangible. We look forward to the contribution that they will bring to our Small Business Charter business school community."