Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) has retained the Small Business Charter (SBC) Award following a successful reassessment.
Following a visit earlier this year, an independent panel of assessors has confirmed LUMS' has been awarded reaccreditation for five years and praised the School for its strong commitment to fostering student entrepreneurship.
LUMS' Work in Progress hub was highlighted by the SBC team as a key resource, providing students and graduates with essential entrepreneurial support through workshops, mentoring, and co-working spaces.
They also praised LUMS's strategy for its clear focus on supporting small businesses, its programmes that 'successfully address the needs and challenges of SMEs in the region and beyond', and LUMS' Entrepreneurs in Residence programme, which now comprises of more than 90 individuals who benefit from a dedicated space in where they can work and run meetings when they are on site.
Professor Claire Leitch, Executive Dean of Lancaster University Management School, said: "We are delighted to maintain our SBC accreditation for another five years. We have a long and proud history of providing impactful support to SMEs and student enterprise and entrepreneurship. Our work in this area is a key element of the school's and university's civic engagement agenda.
"We are deeply committed to working with SMEs in our region and beyond to address the global challenges and opportunities facing leaders and managers of small businesses today. We look forward to continuing this important work by leveraging our expertise, experience and networks, and through productive partnerships with SMEs and other stakeholders."
Flora Hamilton, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said: "We congratulate Lancaster University Management School for retaining their SBC status. They have continued to demonstrate commitment to supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship and the local economy. Enterprise and entrepreneurship are deeply embedded within the curriculum, and the business school offers outstanding support to SMEs in the Lancashire region and beyond."
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. There are 67 business schools that hold the SBC Award in the UK and Ireland.
