The University of Central Lancashire’s School of Business has been recognised for its entrepreneurship and small business support with a national reaccreditation.
The School’s Centre for SME has successfully retained the prestigious Small Business Charter (SBC), making it one of 68 business schools to hold the SBC Award in the UK and Ireland.
This national accreditation, assessed by academic and industry enterprise experts, recognises business schools that demonstrate excellence in supporting small businesses, student enterprise, and the local economy.
Following a rigorous assessment process, an independent panel of SBC assessors confirmed the University’s reaccreditation for another five years after it was first awarded the Charter in 2022. The panel praised Centre for SME for its commitment to providing outstanding support for entrepreneurship and employability, as evidenced by the remarkable achievements of its students and graduates.
The assessors noted that the “professionalism of the staff, combined with the remarkable dedication and creativity of the students, has cultivated a dynamic culture of innovation and success”.
The Centre for SME has a long-standing commitment to responding to SME needs and nurturing the enterprising nature of students.
In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, it was graded ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ as an impact case study, for its work assisting 1,744 SMEs, supporting the creation of 236 full time equivalent new jobs and generated a Gross Added Value of £15 million.
It is a catalyst for ideation, innovation, and growth, cultivating a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem where academia and industry unite to drive sustainable economic impact. It supports enterprise and entrepreneurship education in students’ courses and co-curricular activities, alongside a dedicated start-up incubator, the Propeller Hub, which boasts the highest number of student start-ups in the North.
The Centre for SME works across the University and the region, demonstrating significant and wide-reaching impacts and outcomes. It focuses on both external SME engagement, with a network of 1,900 members, and internal enterprise development of students and graduates.
Over the last six years, the university has supported 851 start-ups that have generated the equivalent of 1,617 full time new jobs and a total annual turnover of £37.3 million, making it the top university in the North, and 5th in the UK, for student start-ups.
“Achieving the Small Business Charter for a further five years reflects our dedication to have a positive economic and social impact within the region and beyond,” said Professor Sue Smith, Director of The Centre for SME.
“The Centre provides a physical and virtual front door to the SME and student community, through the Propeller Incubation Hub and a strong SME membership base.”
Professor Steven Rhoden, Dean of the School of Business, said: “We are committed to being one of the most inclusive and transformational business schools in the UK. The School has a sustained positive economic and social impact within the region and beyond, positively changing lives through business and enterprise.
“The refreshed 2025-28 School of Business strategy commits to capitalising on the reputation and maximise the impact of the award-winning Centre for SME and Enterprise Development as a beacon of excellence, transforming lives, businesses and communities.”
Flora Hamilton, executive director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said: “The University of Central Lancashire’s reaccreditation reflects its strong commitment to entrepreneurship and SME support.
“Their strong infrastructure for SME engagement and enterprise education creates a dynamic environment where students and businesses can thrive. We are delighted to see the University continue to play a key role in driving innovation and economic growth in the region.”
