University of Exeter Business School has been awarded the Small Business Charter in recognition of its commitment to supporting student entrepreneurship, small businesses, and the local economy.
The panel were impressed with Exeter’s clear commitment to creating student entrepreneurs who can build real businesses. Over the past three years more than 800 students have been involved in the Student Start-Ups Programme and the “With Proficiency in Entrepreneurship” pathway, with over 30 student start-ups funded. The two entrepreneurship societies supported by the institution have over 500 members per year, providing them with useful tools to create and develop their own businesses.
Further to this, Exeter has encouraged a number of SME placements, with a total of 257 students taking work placements within the local community. As a result, students have developed experience within an SME, and companies have had access to a wide range of talent from within the school.
The school is also prolific in creating partnerships with local SMEs, through initiatives such as Tevi (which means ‘to grow’), Future Focus, and the Inclusivity Project – business owners benefitted from a number of school activities including cyber security education from the Exeter Science Park, involvement with the school’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence Scheme, and support from ‘field to fork’.
Students at University of Exeter Business School and entrepreneurs working with the university also have access ‘The Deck’ - a dedicated start-up space.
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. University of Exeter Business School will hold the award for five years. There are now 54 business schools that hold the SBC Award in the UK and Ireland.
Professor Alexandra Gerbasi, Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter Business School, said:
“We are delighted to have attained a Small Business Charter Award, which recognises our commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and SMEs.”
“The University of Exeter Business School seeks to have a tangible impact on the local economy in the South West, and this reward will strengthen the support we offer through enabling us to deliver the Help to Grow: Management Course.”
“We are proud of our research and innovation in areas such as circular economy that are helping local businesses to grow sustainably and our commitment to knowledge exchange through programmes such as the SME Network, which are contributing to a more robust local economy.”
Anne Kiem OBE, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter, and Chief Executive of the Chartered Association of Business Schools said:
“We would like to congratulate everyone at University of Exeter Business School on attaining their Small Business Charter Award. They have demonstrated commitment to their mission to support student entrepreneurship and SMEs, and it is clear from the evidence the high levels of engagement from local entrepreneurs and the tangible impacts this has on the local economy.”