Manchester Metropolitan University, has been awarded as an IOEE Centre of Excellence at an a prestigious awards event at the House of Lords.

The annual awards, hosted by the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE) and the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (SFEDI), bring together key figures from the small business, enterprise and skills sector in the UK.

Manchester Metropolitan University has been recognised for its creative approach to enterprise education. The University has developed the award winning ICE approach (Ideas, Creativity and Entrepreneurship) which supports entrepreneurial thinking across the University, from business management programmes to other courses, such as Tourism and Hospitality. The approach supports budding and established entrepreneurs across the university, and provides outreach support to local businesses with its innovative programmes too. The increase in the number of students engaged in enterprise learning is testament to its success with over 2000 students studying enterprise in 2014, up from 50 students in 1999.

Ruth Lowbridge, Executive Chair of SFEDI the IOEE, said:

"Manchester Metropolitan University's approach to enterprise education is an excellent example of how to successfully integrate enterprise skills into a range of programmes to ensure young people are equipped for the world of work. Whether people choose self employment or find a job, their enterprise skills will be a critical success factor in their own ventures and the businesses they work in".