Prestigious award for Business Clinic

The Business Clinic at Northumbria University has been named a winner at the 2024 Small Business Charter Excellence Awards.

Part of Newcastle Business School at Northumbria, the Business Clinic won the Outstanding Commitment to Encouraging Student Enterprise and Entrepreneurship category. Six universities were shortlisted in this category and the Business Clinic was was recognised by the judges for fostering a culture of student enterprise and entrepreneurship through experiential learning and live consultancy.

Set up in 2014 – and celebrating its 10th anniversary this year – the Business Clinic provides final year students with the opportunity to work collaboratively with real clients on consultancy projects. The students are supervised by a team of academic and professional consultants and have established a reputation for developing creative and innovative solutions to client briefs. Since its inception, the Business Clinic has delivered 780 consultancy projects involving more than 3,100 students across all business subjects.

Launched in 2014 - and also celebrating its first decade - the Small Business Charter accredits world-class business schools for their expertise as centres for excellence supporting supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and local economic development. There are 67 accredited business schools in the UK meaning that SMEs in every region and nation across the UK and Ireland can access support. Newcastle Business School was the first to be accredited in the North East.

Professor Robert MacIntosh, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Business and Law at Northumbria said: “The Business Clinic is truly a resource that exemplifies Northumbria University’s new strategy because of the way in which it enhances the learning experience and career outcomes for our students whilst providing a valuable free consultancy service to businesses and organisations of all sizes and sectors. Winning this award is well deserved recognition for the team who run our Business Clinic and a fitting accolade to help mark its 10th year for all of our staff, students and the many organisations which host projects.  Congratulations to all those involved in its ongoing success.”

Lord Bilimoria CBE, DL, Patron of the Small Business Chater, said: “These awards are a fitting way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Small Business Charter in demonstrating how our network of expert business schools are empowering small business success. The award winners have shown their unparalleled connections with local businesses in their local economies. Their outstanding ability to support small businesses and entrepreneurs is key to driving local and national economic growth.”

Jonathan Moules, FT journalist and Chair of the Judges, said: “These awards show the transformational impact of Small Business Charter accredited business schools in empowering small businesses and student entrepreneurs. The vital role business schools play in fostering vibrant and dynamic local economies that are fit to grow is clear from the award winners and the breadth of all the entries we received. As a network of connected and expert business schools they are important partners for SMEs and Government in going for growth.”