ESCP Business School Accredited With Small Business Charter

This three-year accreditation supports ESCP’s commitment to advancing London's business ecosystem, including the planned delivery of the UK Government’s Help to Grow management programme.

Aligning with the recently announced ESCP 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, it will support the School in prioritising ecosystem development, local SME engagement, and business-community collaboration to drive sustainable, research- and industry-led enterprise growth.
 

ESCP London Campus Engages SMEs

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) make up over 99% of the UK's private sector companies and continue to face challenges like skills gaps, market competition, funding access, financial planning, and rapid technological change. With SBC accreditation, ESCP will play a more active role in strengthening SME resilience and supporting long-term recovery and growth during a critical period for the UK economy.

ESCP already supports SMEs and start-ups through specialised programmes, practical entrepreneurship and consultancy projects, the Jean-Baptiste Say Institute for Entrepreneurship, and the European Blue Factory incubator. These initiatives provide advanced training, mentorship, and access to networks, supported by research from ESCP’s globally recognised faculty.

The three SBC assessors, Natalie Campion (CEO & Co-Founder, KEVRI), Marcus O’Dair (Director of Enterprise Educators UK & Associate Dean of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise, University of the Arts London), and Dr Matt Sutherland (Member of The Small Business Charter Management Board, Director at Knowledge Exchange UK, and Associate Professor at Northumbria University), shared the following joint feedback on ESCP’s application: “The breadth and impact of ESCP on SMEs, the community and its students are a credit to the school and broader institutional (global) network. It’s evident that ESCP plays an important and holistic role in supporting the SME infrastructure within North London. ESCP has a very practical delivery model, delivering student learning in partnership with practitioners. ESCP is a vibrant and energetic school, underpinned by a multidisciplinary curriculum.”

ESCP Blue Factory in London

The ESCP Blue Factory incubator plays an important role in the local ecosystem by connecting students, faculty, and external partners to develop practical solutions to local business and community challenges. Most recent projects include student work for impact-driven start-ups during ESCP London's 2025 Social Impact Festival, a consulting project for Brent Cross Town regeneration, and support for local startups like Adexalabz. With the Small Business Charter accreditation, ESCP aims to further deepen knowledge exchange through mentorship, professional training, and project-based collaboration, widening pathways to entrepreneurial leadership.

As the only UK-based business school with an active international presence across six European countries, ESCP offers UK SMEs a unique gateway to European markets and expertise. Its cross-campus model and international networks provide a global perspective, while expert knowledge of UK market dynamics ensures training is both internationally informed and locally relevant.
 

Help to Grow Programme and Local SME Engagement

With the new Small Business Charter accreditation, ESCP plans to deepen its engagement with local partners, including One Kilburn, Camden Council, Barnet Council, and strategic organisations such as the French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain, driven by its motivation to support local and underserved communities through providing practical skills development and leadership training tailored to the needs of SMEs.

The Help to Grow: Management programme is open to UK-based SMEs with between five and 249 employees that have been operating for at least one year and do not hold a charity status. Participants must be senior decision-makers with at least one direct report. While any eligible companies across the UK can apply, ESCP is particularly keen to engage with local businesses in Camden and North London to strengthen its local partnerships and community impact.