A new centre of expertise which aims to develop world class research into ethnic minority entrepreneurship has been boosted by a £115,000 grant. The Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) at De Montfort University's Leicester Business School won the funding from the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA). Aimed at improving policy and practice towards ethnic minority entrepreneurs, the Centre will build on the University's research into black & Asian businesses.

Experts will study key areas affecting ethnic minority business development, including enterprise skills, supplier diversity, access to finance, supply chain relationships, and public and corporate policy. The funding, which has been matched by the University, includes a three year full-time PhD studentship to join the current CREME team led by Director Professor Monder Ram.

Professor Ram, who this year received an OBE for services to black and ethnic minority businesses, said: "This is great news for Leicester Business School and is recognition of its work in the sphere of ethnic minorities' enterprise, particularly as it applies to the domains of policy makers and practitioners. We look forward to advancing our research into new areas and in ways which will benefit all our stakeholders."

Ian Harrison, Head of Economic Development at EMDA, said: "The establishment of CREME represents a significant step forward in creating an enterprise culture at all levels of society. EMDA hopes CREME will build on the University's extensive research into ethnic minority businesses for the benefit of people not only in the East Midlands, but also nationally and internationally.

"There are a lot of worthy initiatives and strategies to support the growth of minority enterprises. However, ethnic minority businesses still come up against barriers over and above those experienced by mainstream businesses, whether they be cultural, financial, related to business size, or lack of appropriate business support. Ethnic businesses must be an 'emerging economic force' if this region is to progress in economic growth terms - this centre will help to make an important contribution to new policy in this area."

CREME will bring together policy makers, businesses and support agencies. Researchers will link up with leading NGOs, centres of excellence and other universities to understand the globalisation of ethnic minority businesses.

The Centre will focus not only on research but on helping to develop leadership and management in business through training programmes, workshops and mentoring. CREME will begin its work this month from the University's Innovation Centre.