Our History

How it all Began: ISBE’s meetings started in the mid 70s shortly after the publication of the Bolton Report in 1971 which led to the emergence of entrepreneurship as a legitimate public policy target and focus for academic research. By 1977 these ad hoc, informal meetings of the early small business and entrepreneurship researchers had become a full annual conference which is still running 32 years later.

The Institute is formed: Originally an annual conference hosted by a different university each year, it was not until 1989 that the researchers formally organised as the UK Enterprise Management and Research Association (UKEMRA). Three years later, in 1992, the name was changed to Institute for Small Business Affairs (ISBA). In 2004, recognising the increased focus on entrepreneurship in policy and research, the organisation became the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE).

Our past activities and achievements: Through the years as well as the ISBE conference, ISBE has held many regional events in the form of doctoral work shops, work shops on all aspects of entrepreneurial education, policy think-tanks and debates in response to government iniatives and other contemporary issues, and practical, skill building work shops for small business practitioners. ISBE has produced many publications such as books, reports, research papers and conference outcomes as well as ISBE’s quarterly newsletter advising members of relevant news and information and upcoming events. In addition to this ISBE provided a network for those in the field of small business and entrepreneurship allowing collaboration, debate and sharing of valuable insight, knowledge and best practice. In this way ISBE sought to contribute to the world of enterprise by disseminating knowledge and skills, platforming the latest research, supporting entrepreneurial education and encouraging debate.

ISBE Board: ISBE has always endeavoured to be at the cutting edge of research, debate and entrepreneurial developments which is reflected by the work of current and past Board members and Fellows. Some of the names that stand out include, Professor Allan Gibb who pioneered entrepreneurship education and research at Durham (and provided an important development experience for many of the current ISBE Board members), Professor John Stanworth who, together with the London Enterprise Agency, developed the model upon which so many enterprise training courses of the 1980s were based, and Professor Paul Burns who, with Professor Colin Gray, developed the innovative Small Business Programme of open-learning self-study modules for entrepreneurs.

ISBE/ISBA Presidents:

Colette Henry - April 2008 to date
Paul Hannon - November 2006 to March 2008
Colin Gray – 2004 to November 2006
David Harvey – 2002/2004
Ian Chaston – 2001/2002
David Deakins – 1999/2000
Francis Chittenden – 1995/1998
Paul Burns – 1992/1994
Ken O’Neill – 1991/1992

UKEMRA Chairs:

Ken O’Neill – 1990/1991
John Stanworth – 1989/ 1990
Allan Gibb – 1988/1989

Pre-UKEMRA Conference Chairs:

Mike Scott
Terry Faulkner
John Lewis
Sue Birley