School of Business, London South Bank University (LSBU) has been awarded a Bronze Small Business Charter award in recognition of its commitment to supporting SMEs, including their ongoing collaboration with local businesses throughout the curriculum which has resulted in growth and recognition for the firms and enhanced student engagement.
The Small Business Charter is an award developed by Lord Young, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Chartered Association of Business Schools, to raise awareness of the role business schools play in supporting small businesses, local economies and student entrepreneurship.
LSBU has been recognised for its excellent work in supporting small businesses and for its exceptional understanding of its students’ needs. It has shown that it aligns the business growth and development needs of SMEs with that of its students’ ambitions. LSBU staff have also been congratulated on their passion and commitment to their work.
LSBU has joined the group of 31 other business schools to be given the Small Business Charter award in recognition of their expertise, resources and work in giving support to start-ups and small businesses.
Business schools awarded with the Small Business Charter award have already directly helped over 18,750 small businesses – working with them through a range of support including on-site incubators with dedicated space for students and small businesses to start up and grow.
Professor Mike Molan, Dean of the School of Business at LSBU, said:
"At LSBU our philosophy is very much to use the expertise in the School of Business to support the enterprise aspirations of our students as well as the growth and expansion of start-ups and SMEs in our local community. This award recognises our efforts to bring businesses, students and entrepreneurs together, to drive local economic growth."
Anne Kiem, Interim Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and Chief Executive of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said:
“The Small Business Charter is delighted to announce that the School of Business, London South Bank University has been awarded the Small Business Charter bronze award. It is fantastic to see that the business school has helped many local businesses grow and have a focus on how they can help SMEs. LSBU has demonstrated high quality business support, engagement and research and the enterprise linking support to students particularly stands out. We welcome LSBU to our charter network of award winning schools.”