Staff and students at Birmingham City Universitys Business School are celebrating after being granted the Small Business Charter award, in recognition of the Schools work and commitment to supporting small businesses and students in entrepreneurial activities.
The Small Business Charter award recognises business schools across the UK and is a nationally recognised kitemark, providing a platform for business schools to share best practice on what works best in supporting small businesses.
Birmingham City Business School impressed the award assessors with their strong business and stakeholder connections across the West Midlands region.
The Schools proactive approach to providing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with events and workshops, centred around international business and post-Brexit opportunities, was also praised.
Were delighted to receive the Small Business Charter award in acknowledgement of the support we provide to businesses and the work we do in developing the employability of our students by encouraging their ambitions to become entrepreneurs and start their own business, said Mark Gilman, Professor of SME Growth and Development at Birmingham City Business School.
We take pride in Birmingham City Business School playing a pivotal role in the Universitys vision of being a university for Birmingham.
Also noted was the Schools SME Growth and Leadership programmes, including the Academy for Multi-unit Leadership; showcasing evidence of significant expertise and activity with a dedicated applied research centre within the School - the Centre for Enterprise, Innovation and Growth.
Dr Dawn Albery, Head of Birmingham City Business School, added: To be awarded the Small Business Charter is a fantastic achievement for the School.
I am extremely proud of the hard work and commitment of colleagues, and this award is well deserved recognition of the great work they do in supporting the small businesses of Birmingham and the West Midlands.
The Universitys business growth service, BCU Advantage, was also recognised by assessors for the support they provide to Birmingham City Business School and the work they undertake with expert partners to help businesses achieve their goals.
Anne Kiem, 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 see the positive and far-reaching impact award-winning schools are delivering in supporting their local economies.
We welcome Birmingham City Business School to our consortium of 36 award-holding business schools, all of whom do fantastic work supporting growing businesses.