Management school to launch business centre of excellence

Aleem Sheikh, vice-president of strategic partnerships at BP, will open the Centre for Managerial Excellence at Bradford University School of Management later this month. The centre, to be led by Professor Jackie Ford, is one of nine being set up by the university to bolster research, enterprise and innovation.

Dr Sarah Dixon, dean of the school, said the centre, part of which will be based at the school’s new campus, will help academics and students with issues such as marketing, human resources and day-to-day business challenges.

“It will offer business-focussed research, consultancy and knowledge transfer in four key areas: leadership, innovation, finance and organisational adaptation.”

Mr Sheikh, a member of the school’s advisory board, and senior academics will use the launch on June 30 to discuss the impact of research on these topics as well as talent management and strategic adaptation.

Dr Dixon said the coalition’s spending cuts are also changing the way her institution works.

“The School of Management has its own business challenges because of the changes in the funding for higher education.

“We are looking to new ideas for innovation across the school to ensure we are attractive to prospective students and can compete in the new market place. Business engagement with regional, national and international programmes is critical across all our programmes.”

She was speaking in the run-up to the sixth Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards.

Bradford University School of Management is again sponsoring the outstanding employer category to show commitment to supporting businesses in the region, Dr Dixon said.

“As a leading UK management school we rely on businesses to provide projects and work for our students and to come into the school and give guest lectures.

“In return we can help Yorkshire businesses in a number of ways, including research and knowledge transfer, offering both academics and students to help them with a particular problem.” Firms which have shown their flexibility amid Britain’s uncertain economic recovery are likely to do well, she added.

“The new title Outstanding Employer of the Year reflects a shift away from judges looking only for evidence that a business is a great place to work. While it is vital that employees enjoy working for a company or organisation, we want to be able to measure a more tangible impact on the business.

“Judges will be looking for innovative and effective new developments in the area of people management and motivation and how these have improved business performance. These could include new ways of training, reward and recognition structures, performance management systems and health and welfare schemes.

“We will also be looking for strong leadership and the involvement of staff in ensuring organisations can adapt. Strong leadership is not just top down – we’ll be looking for leadership that allows people to unleash their creativity.

“One of the greatest skills businesses and organisations need at the moment is the ability to change and adapt. There’s a constant need to innovate and that can take many forms, including new products and services.” This year, the Yorkshire Post introduces a new category, the Business Community Award, sponsored by insurance giant Aviva, for the best examples of businesses working in the community to improve education and skills development.

Two other backers are welcomed this year: Goldman Sachs, which has been running a business education programme for Yorkshire entrepreneurs, is sponsoring the Young Business of the Year category, open to companies up to three years old; and TC Harrison JCB, the main Yorkshire dealer for the iconic UK manufacturer, is supporting the SME Manufacturer of the Year category, open to firms with turnovers up to £10m.

Deadline for entries is June 17 and the awards ceremony takes place in Leeds on October 13. To enter go to www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

The award categories

Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by O2, open to owner managers and directors aged 35 and under.

Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Drax.

SME Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by TC Harrison JCB, open to companies with a turnover of £10m or less.

Outstanding Employer of the Year, sponsored by the Bradford University School of Management.

Exporter of the Year, sponsored by thebigword.

Business Community Award, sponsored by Aviva.

Young Business of the Year, sponsored by Goldman Sachs.

Companies with a Turnover up to £10m, sponsored by Yorkshire Bank.

Companies with a Turnover between £10m and £50m, sponsored by PwC.

Companies with a Turnover above £50m, sponsored by DLA Piper.

The Yorkshire Post Individual Award for Excellence, chosen by this newspaper.