Supporting entrepreneurs across West Yorkshire
Leeds University Business School has been shortlisted for two categories at the Small Business Charter (SBC) Excellence Awards 2026.
We’re delighted to be recognised in categories:
- Outstanding Stakeholder Engagement
- Outstanding Support for Student Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
The SBC Excellence Awards 2026 offer the opportunity for business schools that hold the SBC accreditation to demonstrate specialist activity that delivers sustainable impact and legacy.
Deputy Dean, Professor Niall Hayes commented:
This recognition is a real testament to the commitment, creativity and impact of our colleagues, and to the strength of our partnerships with businesses, entrepreneurs and students. It reflects our shared ambition to deliver meaningful, sustained impact for our region and beyond.
Outstanding Stakeholder Engagement
This award focuses on the School’s Innovative Entrepreneurs programme driven by Rebecca Padgett, Academic Programme Director.
Mandy Ridyard, Business Advisor to Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire reflected: “We are thrilled that the Innovative Entrepreneurs Programme has been recognised through the Small Business Charter Awards. This recognition reflects both the innovation within the programme and the transformational outcomes we have achieved together as Team West Yorkshire. Through strong collaboration with key stakeholders and partners across boundaries, the programme is playing an important role in our wider mission to drive inclusive growth across West Yorkshire and support the region’s entrepreneurs to thrive”.
Outstanding Support for Student Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
This award commends the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies (CEES) as the umbrella for all student enterprise and entrepreneurship activity.
Dr Richard Tunstall, Academic Director of Enterprise at the University of Leeds said: “Being shortlisted for Outstanding Support for Student Enterprise and Entrepreneurship is a powerful endorsement of the way enterprise is woven into the student experience across the University. Our focus is on giving students the space to experiment, learn through doing, and turn ideas into action. This recognition reflects the dedication of staff who champion enterprise education and the ambition of our students to shape their own futures”.
Find out more about the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies (CEES) here.
