The workshop will provide business schools with the opportunity to discuss challenges and best practice in supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurs and the local economy.

The event will enable SBC award-holding schools, such as LUMS who were awarded the Small Business Charter Gold Award in 2014, to network, share knowledge and ideas. Participants will hear from business schools and the small businesses they work with.

Business schools who are considering applying for an SBC award will also gain an understanding of how award winning business schools meet the three pillars of the SBC framework - stakeholder engagement, student facing support and business growth.

Anne Kiem, CEO Chartered ABS and Interim- Executive Director SBC commented “The Small Business Charter has been running for almost two years now, and this workshop gives a timely opportunity for award holding schools and those with an interest in earning the award, to learn from each other about their journeys in supporting SMEs.”

Among the schools who have already confirmed to attend the event on April 13th are University of the West of Scotland, University of Salford, University of Liverpool Management School, University of Cumbria Business School, Southampton Solent Business School, Portsmouth Business School, Northampton Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, Loughborough University, School of Business and Economics, Leeds University Business School, Leeds Beckett University, Edinburgh Napier University Business School, Aston Business School, Stirling Business School, Cardiff Business School and University of Sheffield.

LUMS Dean, Angus Laing said “‘We are delighted to welcome business schools to Lancaster for this inaugural Small Business Charter knowledge sharing workshop.  The day will recognise the important role business schools play, as anchor institutions, supporting small business.’’

For further information about this event please visit http://charteredabs.org/events/small-business-charter-workshop/