The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has made available £20,000 (£24,000 @ 100% FEC) to fund a research project to strengthen the evidence base and improve understanding of domestic business investment, the mechanisms through which growth and productivity are affected and the role for government. The Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) is administering this call… Read more

On the 20th November we held the annual Longitudinal Small Business Survey (LSBS) research showcase event at The Shard in London, an event hosted jointly with the Department for Business and Trade. After an introduction to the LSBS survey from Jayshree Varsani of DBT and Emma Osborne of BMG Research, ERC Director Stephen Roper presented… Read more

In a recent speech, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that work is good for those with anxiety and milder depression and has signalled that benefits may be removed from some mental health sufferers as part of a reform of the benefits system. But his assertion has provoked an outcry from mental health charities including Mind,… Read more

NICRE’s State of Rural Enterprise Report The rural economy post-pandemic: opportunities and barriers for business growth calls for continued improvements in infrastructure in rural areas. Businesses in rural areas perceive new opportunities for growth but long-standing challenges such as affordable housing, transport and broadband capacity are hampering take-up, according to a major new survey from the National… Read more

The launch of the new report Healthy Workplace Ireland: A Survey of Mental Health & Well-Being Promotion took place at an event at University College Cork on 29th March. The report is authored by Dr Jane Bourke, and Niamh Lenihan of University College Cork and ERC Director Professor Stephen Roper. It highlights the challenges employers… Read more

We are pleased to announce the appointment of eight new members to the ERC’s Steering Group. The new members to join the group are: Liz Barclay, the UK’s Small Business Commissioner; Verity Davidge, Make UK; Delma Dwight, Midlands Engine; Nola Hewitt-Dundas, Queens University Belfast; Lee Hopley, UK Finance; Dinah Jackson, NICRE/Rural Design Centre; Richard Jeffery,… Read more

Jane Galsworthy, Managing Director of Oxford Innovation Advice, has been appointed as the new independent Chair of the Enterprise Research Centre’s Steering Group. Jane replaces Lucy Armstrong, Chief Executive of The Alchemists, who had Chaired the ERC Steering Group since 2013. Over the last 20 years, Jane has been focused on ensuring that SME policy… Read more

Levelling-up seems destined to remain central to the priorities of the Rishi Sunak government. Last week, addressing the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) conference, ex-Conservative politician Justine Greening, and Charlie Jeffrey (University of York) talked passionately about the convening power of universities in leading strong and impactful local projects. Both also emphasised the… Read more

Rural businesses in parts of England have shown remarkable resilience during Covid-19 by innovating and adapting in response to the severe economic challenges of the pandemic, according to a major new survey from the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) led by the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC). More than a third of rural firms… Read more

BEIS invites proposals for secondary analyses of the Longitudinal Small Business Survey. Proposals are especially welcome on productivity and place, long term indicator trends, COVID-19 impacts and geographical disparities between firms in capabilities, attitudes or performance. Other topics will also be considered. Proposals are due 17th December 2021. For any queries please contact the Centre… Read more