Winners of 2024 Small Business Charter Excellence Awards announced

Dublin City University Business School wins ‘Outstanding Stakeholder Engagement’ at Small Business Charter Excellence Awards Dublin City University Business School has been recognised at the 2024 Small Business Charter Excellence Awards, winning the category ‘Outstanding Stakeholder Engagement’ for leading a collaborative initiative to support family businesses.

The awards for Small Business Charter accredited business schools celebrate outstanding specialist and innovative activity that deliver sustained impact on small business, students and local economies. This year’s awards ceremony was part of a wider celebration of 10 years of the Small Business Charter showcasing its achievements in delivering against its new mission – empowering small business success through a network of expert business schools.

Launched in 2014, the Small Business Charter accredits world-class business schools for their expertise as centres for excellence supporting small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and local economic development.

Dublin City University Business School’s initiative the National Centre for Family Business (NCFB) was led by DCU’s family business faculty in a unique collaboration involving multiple stakeholders such as Arizona State University, the Journal of Management Studies and the Irish Government. The NCFB engaged over 1,500 family firms across various events and platforms to support current and next-generation family members through its suite of educational offerings.

The Judges commented on the effectiveness of the joined-up nature of the programme and how it incorporated insights from academia, industry and policymakers to give small family businesses the expertise and guidance they need to succeed.

Dr Eric Clinton, Dublin City University Business School said:

“The team is delighted to receive this award and to be recognised for the brilliant work the DCU is doing through the NCFB for Irish family businesses. Through the Small Business Charter, our work is preparing students and family business practitioners to understand the critical issues that are unique to family enterprise by applying knowledge, expertise and research to solving complex family business cases across Ireland. This real-life experience ensures small businesses can apply the techniques they’ve learned to survive and thrive in a competitive business environment.”

Lord Bilimoria CBE, DL, Patron of the Small Business Charter, 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 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.”

Visit the DCU National Centre for Family Business