Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 44+ (0) 121 204 5298

Professor Monder Ram OBE is the Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME). He is a leading authority on small business and ethnic minority entrepreneurship research and has published widely on the subject, and has extensive experience of working in and acting as a consultant to small and ethnic minority businesses. Monder is a regular keynote speaker at international conferences, and advises the government on the importance and value of ethnic minority businesses through his position on the APPG for BAME Business Owners. He also holds visiting positions at Warwick University and the University of Turku.

Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship, Migrant and Refugee Entrepreneurship, SME's, Industrial Sociology, Mixed Embeddedness, Ethnography

2018 -               Professor of Small Business,

Director of Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship

Convenor, Aston University-Citizens UK

2013 - 2018      Professor of Small Business,

Director of Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship,

Co- Director Enterprise and Diversity Alliance,

Director, Enterprise and Diversity Cluster (2014- 2018)

Convenor, CoSS-Citizens UK (2016 - 2018)

1999 – 2013      Professor of Small Business,

Director of Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship, de Montfort University (2004-)

Director of Supplier Development East Midlands (2004-2006)

Director of Small Business and Enterprise Research Group (2000-2008)

1996 – 1999      Professor of Small Business and Director of Enterprise Research, University of Central England                    Business School, Birmingham   

1989 - 1996      Senior Lecturer, University of Central England, Birmingham

1988 – 1989     Manager - Wolverhampton Clothing Centre, Wolverhampton

1987 – 1988     Field Worker – Wolverhampton Council

1984 – 1986     Manager of family-run clothing business

BA (Hons)        University of Central England in Birmingham, Government, 1984

DMS (Dist)      University of Central England in Birmingham, 1986

Grad IPM         University of Warwick, Warwick Business School, 1987

MA                   University of Warwick, Warwick Business School, 1987

PhD                  University of Warwick, Warwick Business School, 1992

                        ‘Management, Control, Ethnicity and the Labour Process’  

Honorary          University of Hasselt, Belgium, 2011

Doctorate

Total number of awards: 72 (£ 4,174,218 value), as PI: 61 (£ 2,741,015 value)

Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise                                                    Award Value: £37,000

Partnership Growth Hub, Citizens UK, UoB and NatWest

Unfinished Business: Moving Closer to Building an Inclusive Ecosystem for

Growth in Disadvantaged Areas

(PI)

Oct 2018 – Sept 2019

Natural Environment Research Council                                                           Award Value: £86,274.00

ENCOMPASS: Engaging Communities, Publics and Society

(CI)

Oct 2017-Oct 2018

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                Award Value: £6187.00

Building an Inclusive Ecosystem

(PI)

April 2017- Jan 2018

Low Pay Commission                                                                                             Award Value: £49,689

The Impact of the National Living Wage on Small Firms

(Joint PI, with G. Meardi)

Feb 2017 – Dec 2017

Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise                                                    Award Value: £250,000

Partnership Growth Hub, Citizens UK, UoB and NatWest

Building an Inclusive Ecosystem for Growth in Disadvantaged Areas

(PI)

Oct 2016 – May 2018

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                      Award Value: £52,135

[£20,000 co-funding from Lloyds and £20,000 from

Higher Education Innovation Fund]

Facilitating Impact: Entrepreneurship and Diversity                           

(PI; CI: K. Trehan)

Jan  2016 - December 2016

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                      Award Value: £51,142

[£20,000 co-funding from Ashley Community Housing Association and £20,000

from Higher Education Innovation Fund]

Facilitating New Migrant Businesses Development: A Collaborative Approach

(CI; PI: M.Villares)

Jan  2016- April 2017

Horizon 2020                                                                                                                   Award Value: £450,000

DiasporaLink

(CI)

October 2014-September 2017                                 

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                    Award Value: £267,701

Enterprise Research Centre                       

(CI; PI: Sara Carter)

January 2013- January 2016

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                    Award Value: £49,766

[Together with £15,000 co-funding from Lloyds TSB]

Facilitating Impact: Entrepreneurship and Diversity                           

(PI; CI: K. Trehan)

April 2012-April2013

Higher Education Innovation Fund                                                                            Award Value: £88,954           

CREME and the Enterprise and Diversity Alliance

(PI)

January 2012-December 2014                                                 

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                           Award Value: £84,970

Facilitating Impact: Entrepreneurship and Diversity                                                         

Joint Applicant (with K. Trehan)

January 2011-December 2011

European Regional Development Fund                                                                         Award Value: £119,000

Selling to the Public Sector

(PI)

December 2010-2012

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                    Award Value: £238,000

Situating Small Business Regulation

(CI; PI: Simon Down)

December 2009-June2012

Advantage West Midlands                                                                                         Award Value: £400,000

The Establishment of the Minority Ethnic Centre for Expertise

(PI)

December 2008-December 2010

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                    Award Value: £35,000

Facilitating Entrepreneurship in New Migrant Communities

(PI)

October 2008-September 2009                                               

East Midlands Business Ltd.                                                                                      Award Value: £35,000

Facilitating Entrepreneurship in New Migrant Communities

(PI)

October 2008-September 2009

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                    Award Value: £27,116

Procurement Readiness in African-Caribbean Businesses

ESRC Placement Scheme

(CI)

October 2008-September 2009

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                    Award Value: £93,202

Facilitating Supplier Diversity

(PI; CIs: N. Theorodokapolous and O. Tregaskis)

April 2008-March 2009

Migration Policy Group                                                                                                     Award Value: £35,000

Facilitating Supplier Diversity (Co-funding for ESRC project)                                                            

(PI)

April 2008-March 2009

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                    Award Value: £15,000

International Graduate Entrepreneurship

ESRC Placement Scheme: Stella Mascheranas-Keyes           

(PI)

April 2007-March 2008

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                    Award Value: £38,866

Facilitating Entrepreneurial Regeneration: A

Collaborative Approach to African-Caribbean Business Development

(PI; CI: K. Trehan)

April 2007-March 2008

Economic Social and Research Council                                                                    Award Value: £38,866

Facilitating Entrepreneurial Regeneration: A

Collaborative Approach to Bangladeshi Business Development

(PI; CI: K. Trehan)

April 2007-March 2008

Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF 3)                                                          Award Value: £100,000

Supplier Diversity in the UK

(PI)

September 2006-August 2008

Leicestershire Learning and Skills Council                                                                              Award Value: £10,000

The Somali Community in Leicester

(PI)

September 2006-March 2007

ESRC/EMDA/DTI/CRE                                                                                                            Award Value: £22,000

Review of Ethnic Minority Business Research

(PI)

September 2006-February 2007

Advantage West Midlands                                                                                         Award Value: £14,000

Ethnic Minority Businesses in the West Midlands

(PI)

January-July 2006

East Midlands Development Agency                                                                           Award Value: £6,000

Ethnic Minority Enterprise and Business Support in the East Midlands

(PI)

April-August 2006

Commission for Racial Equality                                                                                                Award Value: £40,000

A Guide for Supplier Diversity

(PI)

April 2005-March 2006

Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply                                                                Award Value: £10,000

The Business Case for Supplier Diversity

(PI; CI: I.Worthington)

April 2005-March 2006,

Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply                                                                  Award Value: £2,000

Supplier Diversity: A Briefing Paper

(PI; CI: I.Worthington)

April 2004-June2004

UK Trade & Investment                                                                                                             Award Value: £20,000

Virtual Trade show: Strategic Alliances Ethnic Minority Business

(PI; CIs: M. Shah and M. Beckinsale)

December 2004-April 200,

North West Development Agency                                                                               Award Value: £30,000

ICT and Ethnic Minority Businesses

(PI; CI: M. Beckinsale)

October 2004-September 2005

Higher Education Innovation Fund                                                                          Award Value: £200,000

Knowledge Transfer and Supplier Diversity

(PI)

August 2004-August 2006

East Midlands Development Agency                                                                        Award Value: £227,000                          

The East Midlands Supplier Diversity Initiative

(PI)

June 2004-June2006

East Midlands Development Agency                                                                              Award Value: £115,000    

The Establishment of the Centre for Research into Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship

(PI)

January 2004-January 2006

UK Trade Partners                                                                                                       Award Value: £5,000    

A Feasibility Study on the Export Potential of UK Ethnic Minority Businesses to

US Minority Businesses

(PI; CIs: N. Theodorakapolous and M. Shah)

February 2004-April 2004

Birmingham and Solihull Business Link                                                                     Award Value: £6,800    

Investment Readiness and Disadvantaged Groups in the West Midlands

(PI, CI: Prof. Richard Harrison)

January 2004-May 2004

Business Link Leicestershire                                                                                      Award Value: £25,000    

Identifying Skill Shortages in SMEs in Leicestershire

(PI; CIs: Dr. S. Marlow and Dr. D. Patton)

December 2003 – March 2004

Low Pay Commission                                                                                                 Award Value: £23,000

Informal Work and the National Minimum Wage

(PI; CI: Prof. Paul Edwards)

December 2003-September 2004

Centre for Social Markets and Department for Trade and Industry                           Award Value: £20,000

Corporate Social Responsibility and Asian Firms

(PI; CI: Dr. I. Worthington)         

May 2003-September 2003

Institute for Public Policy Research                                                                           Award Value: £5,000

Review Paper on Supplier Diversity in the UK

(PI; CI: Prof. D. Smallbone)

June 2003-September 2003

Business Link Leicestershire                                                                                     Award Value: £19,000

A Strategy for the Support of Ethnic Minority Businesses in Leicestershire

(PI; CI: Dr. D. Patton)

May 2003-August 2003

Minority Enterprise East Midlands                                                                           Award Value: £30,000

Surveying Ethnic Minority Businesses in the East Midlands

(PI; CIs: Dr. D. Patton and Dr. S. Marlow)

November 2001-September 2002

Department of Trade and Industry                                                                               Award Value: 15,000

Supplier Diversity and Ethnic Minority Businesses

(PI; CI: Prof. D. Smallbone)

October 2001-August 2002

Department of Trade and Industry and Advantage West Midlands                                   Award Value: £30,000

ICT and Ethnic Minority Firms

(PI; CI: Prof. P. Foley)

September 2001-January 2002

Centre for Enterprise                                                                                                      Award Value: £8,000

Innovation and Employment Relations in SMEs

(PI; CIs: Dr. M. Gilman and Prof. P. Edwards)

July 2001-November 2001

East Midlands Observatory                                                                                         Award Value: £10,000

Barriers and Drivers of Ethnic Minority Businesses in the East Midlands

(PI; CIs: Dr. D. Patton and P. Hannon)

July 2001-September 2001

East Midlands Development Agency                                                                                Award Value: £30,000

Supplier Diversity and Ethnic Minority Businesses

(PI; CI: Mayank Shah)      

February 2001-February 2004

Birmingham Business Link                                                                                          Award Value: £15,000

Evaluation of Fast-Growth Business Start-Up Support

(PI; CIs: Dr. D. Patton and Dr. S. Marlow)

February 2001-September 2001

Department of Trade and Industry                                                                             Award Value: £50,000

Employment Regulations and SMEs

(CI; PI: Prof. P. Edwards)

June 2001- February 2002

Department of Trade and Industry                                                                             Award Value: £15,000

The Employment of Illegal Immigrants in SMEs

(PI; CI: Prof. Paul Edwards)

July 2001-September 2001

British Bankers Association                                                                                       Award Value: £114,000

The Finance and Business Support Needs of Ethnic Minority Firms in Britain

(PI; CIs: Prof. D. Smallbone and Prof. David Deakins)

January 2000-August 2002

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants                                                     Award Value: £22,000

The Impact of the Raised Audit Exemption Threshold on Small Accountancy Firm

(PI; CI: Prof. S.Carter)

May 2000-November 2000

Department of Trade and Industry                                                                             Award Value: £15,000

A Review of Ethnic Minority Business Support in Britain

(PI; CI: Prof. D. Smallbone)

January 2000-September 2000

Contracts secured whilst employed at the University of Central England (1989-1999)

Birmingham Enterprise Link                                                                                      Award Value: £12,000

Action Research on Second Generation Asians

(PI; CIs: Dr. K. Trehan and Dr. C. Rigg)

September 1998-April 1999

Birmingham City Council                                                                                             Award Value:  £8,000

Ethnic Minority Business Information Audit

(PI)

January-May 1999

Birmingham City Council                                                                                              Award Value: £6,000

Evaluation of ‘Balti Quarter’

(PI)

February-May 1998

Birmingham TEC                                                                                                           Award Value: £6,000

Evaluation of Asian Business Consortium

(PI)

May-July 1998

Economic and Social Research Council                                                                       Award value: £64,000

(additional funding from business support agencies)                                                      Award value: £24,000

Ethnic Minority Business Development in an Inner-City Context

January 1998-September 1999

Economic and Social Research Council                                                                    Award Value: £156,000

Pay, Working Time and Performance in SMEs

(CI; PI: Prof. P. Edwards)

September 1998-September 2000

Economic and Social Research Council                                                                      Award Value: £20,000

The Management of Small-Scale Professional Services in a Multi-Ethnic Context

(PI)

January 1997-December 1997

Sandwell Training and Enterprise Council                                                                              Award Value: £28,000

‘Break-Out’: The Development of Asian Businesses in Sandwell

(PI)

October 1995-June 1996

Small Business Research Trust                                                                                      Award Value: £1,000

Ethnic Minorities in Business

(PI)

October 1995-June 1996

Newtown-Ladywood Task Force                                                                                                Award Value: £14,000

Ethnic Minority Business Development Initiative

(PI)

October 1994-June 1995

Leverhulme Trust                                                                                                           Award Value: £7,000

African-Caribbean Small Firm Development

(PI)

September 1994- August1995

UCE Enterprise Research Centre                                                                                                  Award Value: £ 600                                    

The Financing of Ethnic Minority Firms

(PI)

January 1993- May1994

Economic and Social Research Council                                                                     Award Value: £ 12,000

Ethnic Entrepreneurship in Comparative Perspective:

A Study of Ethnic Minority Firms in France and the UK

(CI; PI: Prof. A. Phizacklea)

September 1993- September 1994

South Aston Community Group                                                                                                   Award Value: £3,000

Consultation with Community Groups

(PI)

January 1993-July1993

Wolverhampton TEC and Chamber of Commerce                                                                  Award Value: £ 9,950

Enterprise Development Needs of Asian Firms

(PI)

September 1992-April 1993

JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERSHIP

Entrepreneurship and Regional Development

Industrial Relations Journal

International Small Business Journal

International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research

Reviewer for:  

Acta Sociologica

British Journal of Industrial Relations

British Journal of Management

Employee Relations

Entrepreneurship, Theory and Practice

Entrepreneurship and Regional Development

Ethnic and Racial Studies

Environment and Planning ‘A’

Environment and Planning ‘C’

Geoforum

Industrial Relations Journal

International Small Business Journal

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research

International Journal of Management Reviews

International Journal of Urban and Regional Research

Journal of Business Venturing

Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies

Journal of Management Studies

Personnel Review

Policy Studies

Organization

Sociological Review

Urban Studies

RECENT INVITED MEMBERSHIPS / DIRECTORSHIPS

2018 -  Present   Member of UNITEE (New European Business Confederation)

2018 -  Present   Member,  Research Advisory Group for the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission

2018 -  Present   Chair, Local Advisory Group, Birmingham Common Purpose

2016 – Present  Member of the Judging Panel for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise

2015 - Present  Non-Executive Director, ART Business Loans

2014 – 2016      Co-Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Business Council, British Bankers’ Association

2011 – 2016     Ethnic Minority Employment Stakeholders Group, Department of Work and Pensions

2010 – 2016     Equalities Advisory Group, Department of Business, Innovation and Skills

2009 – 2011    Chair, European Supplier Diversity Forum

2007 – 2010      Ethnic Minority Business Task Force, Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory

                          Reform and Yorkshire Forward

2006 – 2012     Non-Executive Director, East Midlands Business Ltd

2003 – 2007      Small Business Council, Department of Trade and Industry

2003 -  2003     Advisory Group on the Reform of the NHS (Pharmaceutical Regulations)

2002 – 2012      Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Small Business Committee

2001 – 2007      Ethnic Minority Business Forum, Department of Trade and Industry

2001 – Present  Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)

2001 – 2002      Informal Steering Group for review of Department of Trade and Industry

1996 – 2006      Director, Institute of Small Business Affairs

Director, Centre for Research on Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship

Research mentor to academic staff

Convenor, Aston University -Citizens UK Group