Surrey Business School achieves Small Business Charter accreditation with outstanding results

Surrey Business School at the University of Surrey has been awarded the prestigious Small Business Charter (SBC) accreditation for a five-year period, achieving all 30 out of 30 dimensions assessed – an exceptional outcome that reflects the School’s commitment to excellence in business education and enterprise engagement.

Surrey Business School is a significant and dynamic business school. Its holistic approach to delivering business education is exemplary. Underpinned by the 2024–2030 Incubating Vibrant Futures Strategy, the business school delivers and captures an effective ethos to foster knowledge exchange across the three pillars of the Small Business Charter criteria. It is ‘present’ in the market and proactively seeks new methods to support its small business community.

The Small Business Charter assessment panel

The Small Business Charter recognises business schools that play an effective role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), student entrepreneurship, and regional economic growth. Surrey Business School’s accreditation highlights its strong integration of education, enterprise, and impact.

Flora Hamilton, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Surrey Business School to the Small Business Charter network. The school's commitment to student entrepreneurship and SME support sits at the heart of its strategy, reflecting a deeply rooted enterprise culture. This accreditation recognises that dedication, and we look forward to seeing their continued impact on innovation and economic growth in the region.

Professor Iis Tussyadiah, Dean of Surrey Business School, said:

“We are delighted to receive the Small Business Charter accreditation with such an outstanding result. This recognition reflects the collective effort of our colleagues, partners, and wider community in building a business school that is deeply connected to enterprise and impact. It reinforces our commitment to supporting SMEs, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.”

Jim Sears, Director of Business Partnerships at Surrey Business School, added:

“This achievement highlights the strength of our partnerships with businesses across the region and beyond. Through initiatives such as the B-Clinic, the Surrey Hatchery, executive education, and collaborative innovation projects, we are creating meaningful opportunities for businesses to grow while equipping our students with real-world experience.”

The accreditation marks a significant milestone in Surrey Business School’s Incubating Vibrant Futures strategy and provides a strong foundation for further expanding its impact across the SME ecosystem.