Opportunities with the ERC

Research Fellow- Enterprise Research Centre ( ERC ) Applications are invited for a FT Post-Doctoral Research Fellow based in the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) at Aston Business School. The person appointed will work under the direct supervision of Professor Mark Hart and Lee Hopley and will be involved in a new project for JP Morgan… Read more

Covid-19: How can SMEs innovate their way out of the crisis?

Mark Hart authored a blog for The Aston Angle looking at how businesses will be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Some sectors may benefit financially, while others will suffer huge losses. Those countries with more service-oriented economies, like the UK, will be more negatively affected and will suffer larger negative employment effects. The UK economy was… Read more

Can we afford to return to “busy-ness” as usual?

Lorry drivers on tight schedules. Pet owners demanding more from their vets. Sales and service staff working from home with little access to office support. Archaeologists staying in hotels as a way of life. Hospitality staff working longer than contracted hours to make ends meet. Short-term contracts restricting access to finance. Ex-Army personnel with PTSD… Read more

Re-booting start-up policy in response to the COVID-19 crisis

On May 12th Mark Hart was an invited speaker on the Re-booting start-up policy in response to the COVID-19 crisis OECD webinar with participation of delegates from the Working Party for SMEs and Entrepreneurship (WPSMEE) and Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Committee.    

Bouncing back from the Covid-19 crisis: reflections on mental health and resilience

Bouncing back from the Covid-19 crisis: reflections on mental health and resilience Firms that survive adversity often have the abilities, characteristics and actions of their employees to thank. As many reflected during Mental Health Awareness Week last week, it is worth remembering that the current crisis will undoubtedly have impacted upon the mental health of… Read more

BackinBusiness : No Country for self-employed podcast

Professor Mark Hart, Deputy director of the ERC whose research shows many self-employed are slipping through the safety net joined the BackinBusiness team for this podcast alongside two self-employed people  to discuss the impact of the lockdown on their businesses,  Government loans and disappearing customers which are all  of concern at this time. Listen to… Read more

May 2020 Press Coverage

FT Online: UK’s emergency loans for small companies likely to bring rash of defaults, say bankers Evening Standard: More than 635,000 jobs at risk from disputed business interruption claims SME online: Ignoring mental health issues could cost firms millions Hereford & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce: Lack of support for workers’ mental health “cuts firm productivity… Read more