Small Business Charter appoints Michael Hayman as new Chair

Small Business Charter Appoints Michael Hayman as new Chair As Part of Drive To Provide Training for 30,000 Small Firms

London, 17th January 2022 –The Small Business Charter, the mark of excellence for small business leadership education in UK business schools, has today announced the appointment of Michael Hayman as its new Chair.

Michael is a campaigner for small businesses and co-founded Start Up Britain, the national initiative for early-stage enterprise launched by then Prime Minister David Cameron and fully supported by HM Government.

He is also co-founder of Seven Hills, the campaigning firm, which has been one of the best performing marketing services businesses in its class and has a reputation for working with growing businesses and the organisations that back them.

As Chair, Michael will work with the Small Business Charter as it delivers Help To Grow: Management Course on behalf of the UK government, which is a significant Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Treasury backed initiative.

The programme will provide 30,000 SMEs access to world-class business schools’ expertise on everything from leadership to financial management and marketing.

Michael will also work with the Small Business Charter to communicate the value of management education to SMEs; and to connect businesses, business schools and government to boost growth, productivity, innovation, and entrepreneurial success through improved management and business practice.

The Small Business Charter currently accredits 53 business schools across the UK for playing a strong role in supporting small businesses, local economies and student entrepreneurship. The of accredited schools is growing, and the initiative has directly supported well over 20,000 small businesses.

In addition to providing business schools with a nationally recognised accreditation, it promotes the sector to ensure the value of the business knowledge, management expertise, and enterprise education is more widely known. 

Michael Hayman MBE, and newly-appointed Chair of the Small Business Charter, said: “I’m delighted to become the new Chair of the Small Business Charter at such a critical time for business. The shape of the economy is changing – with ever more of us likely to set up our own firms and make jobs rather than take them – and we have world class business schools which can assist them. The Help To Grow: Management programme is a major opportunity for small firms to accelerate potential and we look forward to helping them achieve it.” 

Anne Kiem OBE, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and Chief Executive of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Michael as Chair of the SBC board. He brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and industry insights that will greatly benefit our work, the future direction of the Small Business Charter, and how we identify and support high-potential businesses around the country. We pride ourselves on boosting the conditions that support entrepreneurship in the UK, and we’re thrilled to have Michael join us to support that mission at this important time for British business.”