Our research explores the impact of economic and business activity upon the wider society. This includes research engagement and leadership development within the local business community. It involves the examination of the efficiency of supply chains and the enhancement of performance within different segments of the business community (including SMEs, cooperative, public management). It additionally includes research into applied policy, whether related to public management, the evaluation of local economic and social development approaches such as the ‘Preston Model’ of community wealth building, or national and international policy formation in response to Brexit. We bring together researchers and practitioners from different disciplines including education, health services, law, computing, digital and financial engineering, entrepreneurship, tourism, work and employment, economics, finance and banking. This helps us to better understand the global challenges that the organisers face in achieving higher and sustainable welfare for all by 2030. This goal is consistent with our School's mission - ''to positively transform life through business and enterprise shaped by the latest research''.