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Professor Lockett takes Enterprise to Downing Street

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Leeds University Business School is building its engagement with businesses in the region through national initiatives designed to help companies grow.

Professor Nigel Lockett from the University of Leeds Enterprise Centre was recently invited to 10 Downing Street to join the Management Board to take part in the development of a new ‘Business School Small Business Charter’ with respect to Enterprise. It forms part of Lord Young of Graffham’s Enterprise initiative which now plans to use Business Schools to help support SMEs at the start-up stage of development, as well as contributing to Sir Andrew Witty’s review of the way universities can better connect to Local Enterprise Partnerships and support the regional agenda.

Professor Lockett is a past-president of the Institute for Small Business and Enterprise (ISBE), and believes that the University has a head start in enterprise over a number of institutions. He said: “The University of Leeds, as a civic institution located in an important economic region, takes its role in supporting economic growth very seriously. The University has a strong track record in fostering enterprise but with even more focus will be able to make a strong case for becoming the enterprising University in the Russell Group.

“The University already produces high quality graduates for disciplines including business and management. It also supports regional businesses leaders, and as a research-intensive institution, it can also assist business with research knowledge and know-how disseminated through training and development. What potentially differentiates Leeds from other universities and business schools is it’s close working relationship between its faculties that can marshalled to serve to meet specific organisational and societal challenges."