Ian McNaught, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter said: “The Small Business Charter (SBC) is delighted to award the University of Bedfordshire Business School (UBBS) a Bronze Charter Award.

“The SBC welcomes UBBS into the consortium of 21 charter business schools across the UK, and looks forward to working with UBBS to positively influence regional SME engagement and economic growth.”

A university business school has to undergo rigorous assessment to show it has proven and effective SME business engagement. It is assessed for the impact of the university business school’s support across the student start-up community and across its enterprise education programmes.

“We’re very pleased that UBBS has met these criteria to a high standard and demonstrated its commitment to supporting small businesses,” said Mr McNaught.

Dr Gordon Mellor, Executive Dean of UBBS said on receiving the award: “I am delighted to be able to accept this award on behalf of the Business School. This is great news both for the start-up businesses we work with and for our students.

“With this award, students who choose to study business at the University of Bedfordshire know that they will have the opportunity to work on real business issues. They will get industry experience and real-world skills to put on their CV’s.”

The University of Bedfordshire has a proud tradition of entrepreneurial students who want to start up their own businesses. It ranks 11^th in the UK for estimated turnover (£22.3m) of graduate start- ups since 2008.

“And now,” said Dr Mellor, “Our students know the advice and assistance we can offer to grow their business idea, has been recognised as being some of the best in the country.”

Other ways that the Business School has helped local businesses grow is through its Continuing Professional Development Programme covering topics such as Innovation and Management. It also funds CMI qualifications and runs practice weeks on various subjects such as social media. There is also the opportunity to take on Business School interns.

One business which has seen its business grow helped by support from UBBS is A Thin Place, a creative agency based in Luton. “Our relationship with the UBBS has been very valuable,” said its Chief Operating Officer, Grant O’Sullivan.

“A number of our team have benefited from courses and training that has helped with the development of our business. We have also worked with UBBS students on our internship programme as well as working with UBBS as a supplier.”

Another business which has been helped through its contact with UBBS is Trademaid, a supplier of Catering Equipment & Cleaning Supplies.

Alan Clarke from Trademaid said: “Working with the business school has helped develop our sales and marketing strategy whilst also improving the way we use social media to help increase our presence on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.”