Enterprise and innovation are increasingly being acknowledged by governments as the driving force behind innovative change and job creation.  This is impacting on higher education and Governments are encouraging the introduction of enterprise into the curriculum.  Students are calling for the opportunity to test and develop their entrepreneurial skills and industry is looking for an element of entrepreneurial creativity in its top class graduate recruits. Over the years Durham has developed pioneering initiatives in terms of entrepreneurship and enterprise development but this has been, until recently, restricted to a few departments.

In 2007 Durham University established a Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning with a remit to support Enterprise and Entrepreneurship across Durham and Stockton Campuses of Durham University. An Enterprise Resource Centre offering drop in facilities and advice is available at both campuses. These Centres provide advice, assistance and support to all of our internal stakeholders, students and all staff, who might be interested in exploring enterprise in its broadest sense. This encompasses developing skills, entrepreneurial attributes and behaviours through to establishing independent businesses or incorporating entrepreneurship in programme delivery, teaching and learning experiences. We are also actively engaging with external stakeholders such as the small business communities, policy makers, business support organisations and Enterprise Education and Business Development intermediaries (Business Support providers, Banks, Accountants and Solicitors).
 
The team has over 30 years of combined experience in designing, delivering and disseminating Enterprise in all its forms. The Centre is also delighted that Professor Allan Gibb, a world renowned advocate of enterprise and entrepreneurship education, is chair of the Advisory Group of the Centre.