Birmingham City Business School and Dublin City University Business School achieve the Small Business Charter award

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Birmingham City Business School and Dublin City University Business School have been granted the Small Business Charter award in recognition of their extensive work in supporting small businesses and the commitment they have demonstrated in supporting students in enterprise and entrepreneurship activities.

Birmingham City Business School has delivered high quality support to help businesses grow and has developed strong links with regional organisations. The business school has a focus on international trade issues and has established a research centre to focus on issues businesses will face as the UK prepares for Brexit, which is commendable.

As the first Charter award holding school in Ireland, Dublin City University Business School has demonstrated impressive impact when supporting small businesses, particularly through ‘The Centre for Family Businesses’ where research underpins delivery and is acknowledged on a global stage.

The Small Business Charter award recognises business schools that have undergone a rigorous assessment across the three pillars; small business support for growth, engagement with a wider stakeholder engagement in the growth agenda, and support for student start-ups.

In addition to being a recognised kitemark, the SBC provides a platform for business schools to share best practice on what works in supporting small businesses. There are currently 36 business schools who have achieved the award.

Commenting on the award, Dr Dawn Albery, Head Birmingham City Business School, said:

"To be awarded the Small Business Charter is a fantastic achievement for Birmingham City Business 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."

Professor Anne Sinnott, Executive Dean of DCU Business School, said:

“We are honoured to accept this award in recognition of the important role DCU Business School plays in supporting businesses and entrepreneurs. It recognises our leadership in management development education for high growth businesses in Ireland. The award recognises the distinctiveness of our programmes and the importance we place on ensuring that our students engage with business as a core element of their study. Being the first university in Ireland to receive this award further confirms our commitment to engagement with enterprise as a hallmark of our activities. This award follows the significant achievement of AACSB accreditation in 2016. ”

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 and Dublin City University Business School to our consortium of 36 award holding business schools, all of whom do fantastic work supporting growing businesses.’’