Business School secures prestigious accreditation

The accreditation, assessed by small business leaders, highlights business schools that demonstrate excellence in supporting SMEs and fostering enterprise. Solent’s successful submission was led by Senior Lecturer Nick Lawrence, who coordinated teams across the University to showcase the breadth of academic expertise and student support underpinning its strong engagement with business.

Assessors praised the integration of SMEs into the curriculum, with a high volume of live projects and industry-led briefs giving students invaluable real-world experience. These partnerships enable small businesses to access fresh ideas and talent, while ensuring students develop the practical skills and confidence needed for their future careers.

The School was also commended for embedding entrepreneurship at the heart of its offer, alongside the targeted support it provides to student start-ups, particularly within the creative industries, a key strength of both the University and the regional economy.

Solent’s School of Business, Law and Society and its students play an integral role in driving business innovation in Southampton and beyond through an extensive network of partnerships with industry. This practice-led approach brings learning to life, giving students opportunities to work on live briefs, gain work experience and develop critical skills such as entrepreneurship, creativity and digital literacy.

Professor Lois Farquharson, Dean of the School of Business, Law and Society, said:

“This Small Business Charter accreditation is a strong endorsement of the role Solent plays in supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs and the wider regional economy. We are passionate about connecting learning with practice, helping businesses access expertise and support, and creating opportunities for our students to develop the skills, experience and confidence they need for their futures. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are proud to work alongside them to drive innovation, growth and positive impact across our region and beyond.”

Nick Lawrence, Senior Lecturer at Southampton Solent University, added:

“This accreditation reflects a huge collective effort across the University to showcase how we work with businesses and support our students. We’re proud of the strength of our partnerships with SMEs and the opportunities these create for students to apply their learning in real-world settings. It’s about equipping our graduates with the skills, confidence and experience to succeed, while making a meaningful contribution to our local and national business communities.”

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

“We are delighted to welcome the School of Business, Law, and Society at Southampton Solent University back to the Small Business Charter network. The school has built an impressive commitment to student entrepreneurship and SME engagement, providing students and SMEs with invaluable resources. It has established itself as a hub for small business support in its region, and we look forward to seeing its continued impact.”

The Small Business Charter now includes 70 accredited business schools across the UK, alongside institutions in Ireland and Australia.

In the School of Business, Law and Society, students benefit from an industry-connected curriculum designed to prepare them for careers in global organisations. With a strong focus on innovation and leadership, the school offers a supportive environment where students can develop the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.