The University of Bradford School of Management has retained the Small Business Charter Award following a successful reassessment.
The school plays an important role in developing entrepreneurialism amongst the student body as well as in the wider community. It hosts a range of networking events and recently launched the Knowledge Transfer Network Podcast, which has attracted over 1000 listens so far.
The panel were particularly impressed with the support it provides to budding entrepreneurs through the launch of the £2.5 million Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem (BREE). The initiative, launched in January 2024, is an amalgamation of a number of preexisting support mechanisms such as the Careers Service and Research and Innovation, and offers SMEs a focal point of engagement.
The School of Management, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023, will further help develop businesses when it launches its new MSc in Entrepreneurship Practice in September 2025. The programme will provide people with the opportunity to build and develop their business with a focus on entrepreneurship in action.
The Small Business Charter Award 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. The University of Bradford School of Management will hold the award for a further 5 years. There are 67 business schools that hold the SBC Award in the UK and Ireland.
Professor Sankar Sivarajah, Dean of the University of Bradford School of Management, said:
“We are delighted to be re-accredited with the Small Business Charter award. The five-year award is a testament to the growth and development of our engagement with entrepreneurs and small businesses within the region over the past few years, as well as the ongoing strength of the school’s business and community engagement offer. Thank you to all our colleagues, students, alumni and business community who have played their part in helping the school to secure this re-accreditation.”
Flora Hamilton, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said:
“We congratulate the University of Bradford School of Management for retaining their SBC status. It is fantastic to see that the school has built upon the foundations of its initial application and continues to demonstrate impact in supporting small businesses and student entrepreneurs in their local economy. We look forward to seeing the ongoing impacts of their work deliver for their regional economy.”