From the South Pole to the North Pole

Newcastle University Business School Magazine | www.ncl.ac.uk/nubs Issue 05: Autumn/Winter 07









From the

In this issue: South Pole to

— New Goldman Professor

Fiona Cruickshank shares her

the North Pole

formula for success. p9 Another Marketing and

Management graduate sets

— NCL to NYC

Putting classroom theory into practice. p13 out to conquer the Pole p17

— Bringing Business Skills

to the Charity Sector

Why the charity sector needs more

Business graduates. p21

INTRODUCTION CONTENTS









From the Director’s Desk

Welcome to the fifth issue of

NUBusiness. Since our last issue

Regional roots are demonstrated by the connections we

have with many local organisations through the The PoPs Have New Goldman A pharmacist at the head of a multi-

million pound drug manufacturing

there have been some changes in

the Business School. After seven

Executive MBA programme. Graduates from this

programme exercise the leadership and management

Arrived: A Professor Shares business is the latest high profile

entrepreneur to become the

years as Director of the School, skills they have developed by helping the organisations

that they work for to grow and develop. We are also

Different Kind Her Formula for Goldman Visiting Professor

of Business Innovation.

Professor Ian McLoughlin has

taken a year-long research leave. linked in to the Newcastle Science City vision to translate of Professor p7 Success p9

In his absence, I have taken over as scientifically-based intellectual capital into economic and Newcastle University is committed

social benefit for the North East of England. We have now Professor John Leopold to become a university “open for

Acting Director of the School, and

appointed four Professors of Practice (PoPs), one for each Acting Director NUBS business” for Newcastle Science City.

Dr. Hugh Metcalf as Acting Deputy

of the Science City theme areas. These PoPs are people

Director. who have been able to combine scientific research with

As a school we have been re-working

entrepreneurship and now have the task of connecting NCL to NYC p13 From the Human Resources

and reformulating our vision and we

have now encapsulated it in the

science to business and business to science. You can read

more about this on pages 7 and 8 of this issue. South Pole to Management Is

phrase: “To be regionally rooted, One example of many where we are able to influence

policy decisions of government and business at national

the North Pole p17 Just a Click Away

nationally influential and globally Following on from similar

respected.” level is Professor Mike Jones-Lee’s position as specialist consultancy trips in Europe, COVER STORY p19

adviser to the House of Lords Select Committee on students from the Executive MBA You may have a great business

Our inspiration for this has come Economic Affairs, which is conducting an inquiry into

from the Angel of The North. undertook a consultancy project Another Marketing and Management idea, but have you any experience

Government Policy on the Management of Risk. Another with Thomson Financial. graduate sets out to conquer the Pole. in managing people?

Beneath the steel superstructure are colleague from the ESHER research group, Professor

thousands of tons of concrete which Sue Chilton, has been a policy adviser to DEFRA on the

root the statue in place. Recently the

British Culture Secretary named it

health benefits of reduced air pollution. A Round Table The Rise of Win a Digi Memo

as one of the UK’s top ten cultural Together with Dr. Hugh Metcalf, Professors Jones-Lee

and Chilton are also now part of the Norwegian

Discussion p21 Metaverses p24 Notepad!

icons, and obviously it now has world

wide recognition. Government research centre into risk management. p30

This shows how we can expand out from national to

At the Business School we seek to international significance and influence.

emulate this achievement by also

being regionally rooted, nationally Many of the other activities reported on in this issue are

influential and globally respected. related to this vision, which will be the inspiration for our Is the International Summer School Are three dimensional worlds

future work. meeting expectations? the next generation web?





A Word from the Editor Full contents:

News ..................................................... 03 From the South Pole Research Focus:

The PoPs Have Arrived: to the North Pole .................................. 17 The Rise of Metaverses ........................ 24

Hi everyone and welcome to the We have introduced a new discussion series with A Different Kind of Professor .............. 07 Love Newcastle LIVE Newcastle!… ...... 18 Alumni Archive .................................... 25

fifth issue of NUBusiness. I hope this issue, the first of which is about the University’s New Goldman Professor Shares Her Human Resources Management Alumni Events...................................... 27

you like the new layout for the International Summer School. We also bring you Formula for Success ............................. 09 Is Just a Click Away.............................. 19 Book Review:

magazine. highlights of the Executive MBA trip to New York, Bringing Business Skills A Round Table Discussion ................... 21 The Tiger That Isn’t ............................. 28

news on the appointment of the fifth Goldman Visiting to the Charity Sector ............................ 11 Profile: Making the MOST NUBusiness Briefings .......................... 29

As is always the case, it is difficult Professor and advice from alumnus David Rankin on NCL to NYC.......................................... 13 for the Region....................................... 23 Competition Page ................................. 30

to fit all that’s been happening at online human resources management. And, as always,

the Business School in one issue! Our we have updates on research focus, NUBusiness Sharmishta Chatterjee-Banerjee

alumni around the world are making briefings and our ever popular alumni archive. NUBusiness Editor Credits and Thanks

a name for themselves, and it doesn’t Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts,

get any better for Brian Douds who Many thanks to BMS World Mission, Special thanks to the Editorial Board, Cover photograph courtesy Daniel R.

contributed articles and helped me put this, National Geographic Traveller Magazine, Karol Marketing and our hardworking Westergren, Senior Photo Editor for

has just returned from a trip to the our second anniversary issue, together. Shalinee Chatterjee, Kristen Bradfield, team at SUMO. National Geographic Traveller Magazine,

North Pole or David Locke who is Mick Warwicker, Dan Howarth, Stuart One-North, Singapore.

making a world of difference by Please continue to send in your suggestions Garratt. Gwilym Mumford, Aarushi Nigam

working for one of the oldest and contributions to nubusiness@ncl.ac.uk. and Nick Pitsiladis.

charities in the UK. Enjoy the issue!







01 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 02

News News



School Advises Third Sector Pathfinder Grant

for Lecturer

Business School Lecturer Rob Joanna Berry, Academic Director of

Wilson, who is also the leader of the Executive MBA Programme, has

the Social and Business Informatics become the first successful applicant

research group which sits in the from the University for a North East

School’s Centre for Knowledge Higher Level Skills Pathfinder grant of

Innovation Technology and £15,000. This will be used to deliver a

Left:Professor

Enterprise (KITE), was recently the series of short courses to practitioners

Chris Brink, keynote presenter at two national in the cultural and creative industries,

Vice-Chancellor of conferences aimed at the voluntary to provide them with the business

Newcastle University and charity sectors. skills and knowledge which will





New Vice-Chancellor Takes the The title of his keynote speech was support this critical sector of the

“Balancing the Mission with Funding UK economy.

Priorities.” His talk outlined the The Sector Skills Council recognises



Helm at Newcastle University challenges facing the third sector, in

particular the problem of surviving

in the “organisational aquarium” of

that over half a million people work

in these industries, which contribute

£23.5bn annually to the UK economy,

public sector service delivery, where but businesses in this sector suffer

ongoing issues for third sector from a very high failure rate due to

organisations include sustainability, The ESRC funded project is titled “Delivering Public an identified lack of administrative

Newcastle University has a new Vice- Professor Brink is successor to His career since then has divided Services in the Mixed Economy of Welfare: Putting

Chancellor. He is South-African born Professor Christopher Edwards, who between academic and management mission drift and finding the balance and management skills.

between competition and networking Research into Practice.”

mathematician Professor Chris Brink, retired after six-and-a-half-years as positions in South Africa and The short course theories will be

activity. Some of the materials will be piloted in two regional known as “Jigsaw” in order to allow

who became the university’s executive Vice-Chancellor. The University has Australia, with frequent contacts

These conference events have training workshops in the East Midlands and the North for its development into an industry-

and academic head on 1 August. achieved sustained growth under in Britain and Europe.

coincided with the launch of a new East. The North East event will take place at Newcastle specific, flexible format with a

Professor Brink was formerly Rector Professor Edwards’ leadership. In 1998, he was appointed Pro-

research project where the Business University on January 24th, 2008. common core of subjects. As well

and Vice-Chancellor at Stellenbosch Olivia Grant, Chairman of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor (Research) at

University in South Africa, where he University’s governing body, Council, the University of Wollongong in School’s KITE research centre is a For more information see the project website as using the University’s internal

led a “transformation agenda” which said: “Chris Brink is a renowned Australia, where he restructured the partner with Age Concern, at www.socialwelfareservicedelivery.org.uk. teaching resources, practitioners from

resulted in Stellenbosch emerging as academic with an international University’s activities in research, Nottingham Trent University and For more information on KITE within and outside the sector will be

one of the country’s leading research reputation in higher education who innovation and commercialisation. Manchester Metropolitan University. please visit www.ncl.ac.uk/kite/. providing up to date and informed

universities and gaining a reputation has demonstrated outstanding Following the decline of the steel advice and commentary

for promoting equality of opportunity leadership at Stellenbosch. The industry, the University was key to on these and other subjects.

by attracting more black students Council believes he shares our the rebirth of Wollongong as a

into higher education. commitment to the crucial regional

and local role of the University whilst

knowledge-based city. Business School’s This year, the seminars in the broad

management subject area have been

(including venues) will be made available on the School

website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/nubs/research/

Professor Brink said that while in

South Africa, he became aware of the strengthening our international

excellence and diversity.”

He was appointed Rector and Vice-

Chancellor of Stellenbosch University New Research coordinated into a single series to

encourage participation and facilitate

researchseminars.htm

All students, alumni, partners and friends

reputation of Newcastle University

for “excellence and relevance.” He Professor Brink was born and raised

in South Africa in 2002, which he has

led through a transformation agenda Seminar Series dissemination of ideas. External

speakers for the October seminar

of the Business School are cordially invited!

aims to build on this commitment by in a small rural town at the southern while at the same time increasing its series included Professor Ted Fuller, Upcoming Seminars:

applying teaching and research to the edge of the Kalahari Desert. At the research and academic profile Professor of Entrepreneurship and November 12th

benefit of people and businesses. age of 18 he moved to Johannesburg, nationally and internationally. The Business School is buzzing with

research activity, which is reflected in Strategic Foresight, Teesside; Dr. Dr Lorraine Warren, Senior Lecturer,

“It was the vision of this university where he gained a first degree in Professor Brink himself is a logician Stefanie Reissner, Lecturer in School of Management, Southampton University

the seminar series planned for this

that brought me here,” said Professor mathematics and computer science. with a strong commitment to academic year. Management, University of Topic: Academic Entrepreneurship: career

Brink. “I am enthused by the idea of a He continued his postgraduate study interdisciplinary work who has Sunderland; Colin Herron, One transformation through the practice of

marriage between excellence and in mathematics and philosophy at published widely in the fields of The seminars are for both Business NorthEast; and Wayne Delaforce, entrepreneurial identity

relevance, and committed to the ideal Rhodes University, Grahamstown, mathematics, logic, philosophy and School staff and invited speakers Assistant Director, Development

South Africa, before being awarded a from the UK and overseas to present November 28th

of a university that is a driver for computer science. He is a Fellow of School of Humanities and Human Dr Graham Dietz, Lecturer in Human Resource

development and economic growth prestigious scholarship to the Royal Society of South Africa, their current work well ahead of Services, Queensland University of

Cambridge, where he completed a publication. They are therefore an Management, Durham Business School

through the internationally a former President of the South Technology, Australia. Topic: Trust repair after an organisational failure

recognised quality of its research PhD in Algebraic Logic in 1978. African Mathematical Society and a opportunity to keep abreast of the

most recent developments in The seminar series will be run during The School is always interested to hear from people

and teaching.” Founder Member of the Academy of term-time with seminars taking place

Science of South Africa. academic thought. who would like to appear as one of our speakers.

almost every Wednesday, from 4 p.m. For more information on the seminars please contact

He is married with two daughters to 5 p.m. The details of all seminars Kasia Zdunczyk at kasia.zdunczyk@ncl.ac.uk.

and a son.



03 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 04

News News



Girls Prefer Pink — Newcastle University’s

Forum for Business

Or At Least a Redder Ethics Launched



Shade of Blue In recognition of an increased

demand for guidance and input on

ethical issues, the Business Ethics

Network will offer a forum for









Photo reproduced courtesy of The Journal, Newcastle upon Tyne

discussion of subjects around

organisational ethics.

The forum, essentially a series of

participative lectures, will have a

virtual centre at Newcastle

University, and it will aim to act as a

Kate Partridge (right) catalyst to attract external people

pictured with Caroline with an interest in organisational

Theobald (left) ethics to the University. The lectures/





Sowing the Seeds for the Next

seminars will be as inclusive as

possible, offering a regional “best in

class” resource.





Generation of Business Leaders A new study by scientists from

Newcastle University gives substance

In the test, young adult men and

The sessions will be facilitated by an

invited guest speaker and subjects for

discussion sessions will be arranged

women were asked to select, as rapidly around themes in ethics rather than

to the old adage “Pink for a girl, as possible, their preferred colour from by sector, i.e. “transparency and

Newcastle University Business School Rocket Science and Lisa Hart of during her internship that she met blue for a boy.” each of a series of paired, coloured probity in governance’ or “measuring

alumna Kate Partridge has been given Acritas Research. Caroline and set about securing a job rectangles. While the test revealed that stakeholder impacts” rather than

Evolution may have driven women’s

a leadership role by her employers. for herself post-graduation. the universal favourite colour appears “ethics in the public sector.”

Caroline Theobald, Bridge Club preference for pink, according to the

Kate is a familiar face on the to be blue, the researchers found that

founder, said: “The North East has Keen to stay in the North East, Kate study published recently. The erstwhile Sunderland Centre for

networking scene in the North East in females had a preference for the red

set itself a target of finding 20,000 actively sought potential employment “The explanation might date back to Business Ethics which regularly

her role as business manager at The end of the red-green axis.

new business leaders over the next opportunities away from run of the humans” hunter-gatherer days, when attracted 30-40 people, the success of

Bridge Club and has helped hundreds decade and this newly created role is mill graduate schemes. Kate has “This shifts their colour preference a recent Corporate Social

of fledgling North East firms make women were the primary gatherers

one small step towards that. It is a big always taken an interest in the topic slightly away from blue towards red, Responsibility strategy day held at

new contacts over the past two years. and would have benefited from an

step for my company and for Kate, of leadership. The 2000 Fulcrum which tends to make pinks and lilacs Newcastle University and a pilot

ability to hone in on ripe, red fruits.

Now she will have the opportunity to who has proven over the past two Challenge offered her the chance to the most preferred colours in Business Ethics Network seminar

Culture may exploit and compound

tackle the tougher aspects of running years that she is an incredible go on an expedition to China and comparison with others,” says held in April this year have all

this natural female preference,” says

a company after being appointed as a employee and team player who has Mongolia as well as an intense Professor Hurlbert, who carried out signalled the importance placed on

Anya Hurlbert, Professor of Visual

director of The Bridge Club, the potential to be an even more personal development course during the study along with research associate ethical issues by local organisations.

Neuroscience at Newcastle University.

networking specialists for early-stage incredible leader.” her A-levels. She is also a founding Dr Yazhu Ling. It is anticipated that regular

businesses. The move will enable the member of JCI North East England The study, published in “Current attendees will comprise local (to the

Kate graduated from Newcastle The test included a small group of

twenty-four year old to put in to and a member of the CBI Young Biology,” provides new scientific North East) corporates, professional

University Business School in 2005 Chinese people among the other 171

evidence in support of the long-held

practice much of the business advice with a degree in International Leaders Council. British Caucasian study participants to services, SMEs, public sector, third

she has learnt from many of the North notion that men and women differ sector, education and HE people.

Business Management, during which Kate said: “This is a tremendous establish whether gender differences

East’s most successful entrepreneurs, when it comes to their favourite

time she spent a study year abroad in opportunity to become a company in colour preference depend more on The first of the quarterly seminars

who have graced the couch for the colours.

Germany. Kate worked throughout director. The Bridge Club has been biology or culture. According to will take place in Autumn 07.

popular “In Conversation With…” her time at university in various on an upward spiral and these are “Although we expected to find gender Professor Hurlbert, the results among To register your interest, please

events that The Bridge Club is roles, including running her own extremely exciting times to be differences, we were surprised at how the Chinese participants were similar, email Stuart.Garratt@ncl.ac.uk

renowned for hosting. The most domestic cleaning company in her involved. I look forward to having a robust they were, given the simplicity strengthening the idea that the gender or call: 0191 222 8745.

recent event saw Greggs managing home town of Harrogate. major impact on the future success of our test,” says Professor Hurlbert. differences might be biological.

director Sir Mike Darrington cover of the business.” The study is the first to show that

the challenges and successes of a During her final year at University, Overall, the differences between men

colour preference can be broken down

career spanning four decades. Kate took on an Enterprise and women were substantial enough

into two elements: red-greenness and

Internship with the University’s that the seasoned researchers can now

Other high flyers to take to the Bridge blue-yellowness. These are the usually predict the sex of a participant

Enterprise Centre. Here she was

Club stage include Jocelyn Maxfield of biological mechanisms that underlie based on their “favourite colour”

responsible for developing an interest

Tom’s Companies, Simon Heptinstall colour. Girls and boys differ in the profile. The researchers plan to modify

in enterprise and entrepreneurship

of Storey Carpets, Paul Callaghan of emphasis they give to these two the colour-choice test for infants to

amongst the student body. It was

the Leighton Group, Alan Timothy of fundamental components. further test the “nature versus

nurture” theory.



05 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 06

Features Features









The PoPs Have Arrived:

A Different Kind of Professor

Estelle Chatard and Feng Li

The Professors integrate Harry

Bradbury

Peter Gore



When Newcastle University got involved in Newcastle Science City, it business and academic roles

committed to become a university “open for business.” One of the many and collapse the university-

signs that transformation is happening is the recent appointment of four

Professors of Practice.

industry divide, turning a

conflict of interest into a Dr Harry Bradbury is founder

and Chief Executive of Intelligent

Peter Gore has an Engineering

Design Masters degree from

confluence of interest. Energy, a company in fuel cell

technology and hydrogen

Loughborough University and

has over 25 years’ experience in

generation technologies. Harry medical product design. In 1990

founded the company in August he became the Director of R&D

2001 and personally raised and Quality for the BOC Group in

around £30 million in equity Atlanta. In 1993, he founded and

financing for technology became the Managing Director of

development and corporate Cane & Able Ltd that specialised

growth. He has ten years’ in assistive technology. In 2002,

experience in teaching and he founded ADL Smartcare Ltd

research in universities in the to match people and technological

UK and USA, and has worked solutions currently available.

in more than fifty countries

worldwide for and on behalf of

local companies and global

Andrew

corporations, including Shell, Lyddiatt

L’Oréal, Rolls Royce and Suez.

Harry has also acted as advisor

to ten national governments

including that of the UK.



Over the past decade, the title Newcastle Science City has been The Professors of Practice are The Professors of Practice have been appointed in the David Leahy Dr Andrew Lyddiatt has over

“Professor of Practice” has been the catalyst for the formation of an one of the enablers for this change. University’s strategic research fields in science and 30 years’ scientific experience in

adopted at a number of leading unprecedented partnership between They are scientist entrepreneurs technology and are hosted by the Business School. They biochemical engineering and has

research universities. This title, Newcastle University, One North with strong academic credentials are working very closely with the scientists, Business a PhD in molecular and cellular

traditionally adopted in professional East, Newcastle City Council and and research interests whose School faculties and Newcastle Science City to develop biology from Durham University.

schools or colleges in fields such as industry leaders. This Triple Helix expertise can help strengthen both new commercialisation opportunities for the University. He pursued his interests in

architecture, design or business, between academia, industry and the research as well as technology These appointments represent a key milestone in the postdoctoral research on microbial,

is now used in other disciplines government is set to accelerate the transfer capabilities of the university. transformation of Newcastle University, which will lead Dr David Leahy has over 20 years’ animal and human proteins at

such as arts or science. American transformation of Newcastle and These Professors integrate business to a culture that not only encourages but also actually scientific experience in the Trinity College Dublin, Imperial

universities are using Professors North East England as a vibrant and academic roles and collapse the rewards academic entrepreneurs. bio-informatics and chemo- College and in the commercial

of Practice to further enhance the location for state-of-the-art research university-industry divide, turning a informatics applied to drug environment of Cambridge Life

quality of teaching and put “real and high-tech businesses for the conflict of interest into a confluence discovery. After working for world Sciences. He established the

world” practitioners in front of benefit of everyone. As part of this, of interest. PoPs are employed part- leaders such as AstraZeneca, Biochemical Recovery Group at

students. These Professors are also the University is undergoing one of time, allowing them to maintain David went on to form Cyprotex the University of Birmingham in

seen as an efficient bridge between the biggest changes in its history. dual careers in business and to pursue his ideas for improved 1985, and as Professor of Process

academia and industry, giving Not only is it embracing its new academia. And as agents of change, technology for drug discovery. Biotechnology subsequently

access to talent for companies and mission of economic and social they will foster new industrial Under David’s leadership directed the Birmingham

placement opportunities for students. development, it is also setting networks, develop translational Cyprotex grew and was eventually Centre for Bioprocess Engineering.

At Newcastle University, the the pace to transform the way it research programmes, identify floated on the London Stock In February 2003, he joined

Professor of Practice (PoP) concept interacts with industry through commercialisation opportunities Exchange. David is now working Millipore Biopharmaceutical

has been taken to a new level. translational research and and act as role models for staff with universities and commercial Division in county Durham

commercialisation programmes. and students. organisations throughout Europe and managed 25 research

and the USA on developing new & development personnel

research programmes. in the UK and USA.



07 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 08

Features Features









New Goldman Professor Shares

Her Formula for Success

Team NUBusiness



A pharmacist at the head of a multi-million pound drug manufacturing business is the latest

The Goldman Endowment

high profile entrepreneur to become the Goldman Visiting Professor of Business Innovation.

David Goldman took a company of his own creation Through their gift, the Goldman family have

She adds: “As an active supporter of It has more than 5,000 of the UK’s 12,000 independent from extremely modest beginnings and built one of established a permanent memorial to David through

the local knowledge economy, I feel high street chemists on its books and more than 120 the most successful companies in the North East of the David Goldman Chair of Business Innovation,

it is very important to invest in the NHS Trusts. England. This year Newcastle University celebrates the David Goldman Visiting Professor/Fellow of

future and also a privilege to play a Fiona Cruickshank is the fifth holder of the post of the 5th Goldman Visiting Professor and the Goldman Business Innovation and the David Goldman

role in the educational development Visiting Professor, which is offered to high profile and family making the decision to give a gift to the Doctoral Studentship.

of young people.” successful entrepreneurs in the region. Business School in his memory. It was done in the

Originally from Newcastle, Fiona hope that it might inspire other entrepreneurs to do

graduated in pharmacy from as David did and establish opportunities for those

London University in 1987. living in the region where David was born and began

As a founder of the only North East his working life.

company to break into The Times “I was desperate to work in

industry,” she says, “and I managed The Sage Group Plc, as it is now known, was the

Fast Track 100 — a list of Britain’s

fastest growing private companies — to secure one of the six industrial “I have put my money where my result of David joining forces with Graham Wylie,

then an undergraduate from Newcastle University’s

Fiona Cruickshank is urging budding placements available at the time

with the Wellcome Foundation.

mouth is and I know the North East computing department, to devise an integrated

entrepreneurs to lose their fear and

launch the business of their dreams. Starting in sterile products is a great region for launching hardware and software package thus lead to the

manufacturing at their Dartford launch of the Sage brand.

As managing director of

site I gained experience of quality

science and technology businesses.” After his death, it was David’s belief in business,

pharmaceutical business

control, development laboratories, branding, marketing and entrepreneurs which led his

The Specials Laboratory,

tableting and packaging.” sons Daniel and Andrew and his wife Cynthia to

Northumberland, Fiona has been

Having spent ten years working establish a permanent memorial to him in the North

selected by the Business School to be

across the UK in community East. A deep responsibility to remain involved in the

our incoming Goldman Visiting

pharmacies, hospitals and in social development of the North East was also a

Professor of Business Innovation

industry, Fiona moved back to the strong driving force behind Cynthia, and her family,

this year. She says she will use this

North East to set up her business. in making the gift to Newcastle University Business

position as a platform to encourage

After an unsuccessful attempt to School.

others to take the plunge and set up

on their own. buy-out the Specials Laboratory –

a pharmaceutical manufacturing

The role of Visiting Goldman

facility where she worked at the

Professor involves working within

Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary -

the School to provide leadership and

she decided to set up on her own.

mentoring to our students and

faculty, as well as delivering the She says: “I felt that after failing

David Goldman Business School to buy the business, the market

lecture at the annual event which opportunity for niche medicines

will take place on November 8th was too good to miss and decided to

at 6pm at the Research Beehive, start from scratch.” Her father who

Newcastle University. had been in business all his life said:

“Why don’t you just start up on your

Fiona says: “I have been there; I have

own?” It is this move that has

put my money where my mouth is

catapulted her to prominence

and I know the North East is a great

amongst the region’s business

region for launching science and

community.

technology businesses. I am thrilled

to join the Business School and feel The Specials Laboratory began

my knowledge of what it’s like to with four staff in 1999 but has

build a business in the real world grown dramatically with expected

would inspire more people to do the sales this year of £11m, an increase

The Specials Labratory









The Specials Labratory









same themselves. You should not put of 40% on last year and now

barriers up between you and your employs about 150 staff.

dreams, if you have an idea or have

spotted an opportunity just get on

and do it.”

09 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 10

Features Features









Bringing Business Skills

to the Charity Sector

David Locke

Within two months of arriving at more severely. You will recall the David at the Khimti

Business School alumnus David Locke explains why BMS I found myself en route to tragic consequences of the Boxing hydroelectric project

the charity sector needs more Business graduates. Nepal and visiting one of our Day tsunami in 2004. The incident in Nepal

Engineers (Ex Shell) who was was tragic but the response from our

leading a $200m hydroelectricity team and supporters was enormous.

dam project. This one project alone Because of the new web technology

means that over 10% of the Nepalese and database structures that we had

population now have access to implemented only a few years earlier

electricity. If you can’t imagine the we were able to get our emergency

impact on people’s lives, then wait appeal out in “double quick time.”

until you get home tonight and try And it is at this point that one starts

to live without anything powered to see the result of applying the

by electricity. knowledge and skills that have been

As a further result a clinic was set attained over the years in developing

up which means that instead of a

50 mile journey to the nearest town

the correct strategy.

So what about the MBA? Well an

This one project alone

(by which time even a simple bone

fracture could have developed fatal

interesting development in the

charity sector is that many of the top

now means that over

complications), the local citizens now

have somewhere to turn to for

UK Charities have Chief Executives

and Directors who have an MBA.

10% of the Nepalese

essential medical treatment. When My colleague, Mark Craig, population have access

you see hope in a person’s eyes rather

than despair that is definitely worth

Communications Director, has an

MBA. Our Chief Executive, Rev to electricity.

more than a bigger company car! Doctor Alistair Brown, studied for

While working in a Professional an MBA after he got the job and has

Accounting firm I had developed testified that without it he would not

deep levels of technical ability in one have felt able to lead the organisation Father at the Khimti

specific area (in my case IT security). to take the decisive strategic steps Clinic happy to

However, working in the charity that it needed to take at that time. see his daughter

recovering well

sector required much more than just My next step… Well it won’t surprise

technical expertise. Here one needs you that I’m talking with Alistair

to bring and apply a full width of about doing an MBA as part of my Below: Fishermen in

business acumen, insights, on-going personal development. In India get new nets

entrepreneurial zeal and techniques. both my current role or as a CEO in after the tsunami

Above all one has to be prepared to the future an MBA looks the best

Helping fight hunger learn quickly. route to further enhance my skill sets.

in Uganda

I thus found myself using skill sets My challenge to you: if you are going

So what shall I do with this life? A bit of a dramatic So instead of opting for a career This belief was soon negated when that read more like an MBA course to use an MBA in business, then be

opening line but it is one of the questions we are all ladder move to work in the United I found that in reality, the charity outline. Working with a small outstanding; make lots of money and

faced with. States I opted to work for one of thesector has many exceptionally Director team in the first two years give it away! But, if you are asking

oldest charities in the UK: BMS talented, gifted and modest of my time at BMS we completed some fundamental questions about

In 1999 I found myself asking a few questions about a corporate re-branding review, what you do with the life you have,

what direction to take in my life…to quote the famous World Mission. BMS is a Christian individuals with business

charity working with the poor and qualifications, who share a developed a new website and then think about using your MBA for

David Byrne song… “And you may ask yourself how do implemented a new database the service of those in need – you

I work this? And you may ask yourself, where is that needy in over 30 countries around common passion to help those in

the world. need. As a result, I found that on development, agreed a five-year may not find yourself waking up a

large automobile?” I found myself as a graduate from strategy with the Trustees and millionaire but you may find yourself

Newcastle, a senior manager with Ernst & Young, a Originally I went into my new role one hand while my training and

experience helped me to contribute developed a new £2m training centre intellectually challenged and

Chartered Accountant and qualified in IT security, as Finance Director with a level of in the Midlands. The list goes on… incredibly fulfilled.

asking some of the big questions. arrogance. This was based on my to the team, on the other, the

preconceived idea that I had lots of experience of working with some There is a buzz when one closes a

You can have the car, the house and all that goes with new sales deal in the business world

it, but for some folks this doesn’t “scratch the itch” and superior knowledge to bring from the of my colleagues helped steer my

business world to the “poor cousin” own learning curve in a strong – in the charity sector the buzz is

you want to do something with the skills and abilities upwards direction. about helping people in need who

that you have for the benefit of your fellow man. known as the charity sector.

might otherwise have suffered much





11 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 12

Features Features









This is exactly what the cab ride

was like although instead of your

NCL to NYC life flashing before you it was the

famous New York City skyline.

Ally Robson



Following on from similar consultancy trips in Europe to Krakow, Gdansk and The First Twenty Four Hours Day One Day Two – Focus Groups

Cork, students from the Executive MBA undertook a consultancy project with

It is 2am and my alarm is ringing. After a subway ride and quick coffee The second day at Thomson

Thomson Financial this year, thus marking the course’s first link with an This signals that I have less than stop in one of New York’s thousand Financial involved another series

American institution. The students’ remit was to produce a report on staff an hour to get from my house to coffee shops we arrived at Thomson of focus groups, followed by a

perceptions of the impact on the “culture” and “communications” of Thomson Citywall, the Business School’s new Financial’s headquarters at 195 meeting with the Chief Executive

headquarters where a coach will take Broadway to begin our consultancy of the Organisation Sharon

Financial following the recently announced merger with Reuters. The report was the group to Edinburgh airport for project. It was an amazing feeling to Rowlands, an alumna of

based on focus group sessions with staff members, which the students ran. our eight-hour flight to New York think we were there to offer support Newcastle University. Sharon

City. This was our first taste of the to a multinational company. taking time out of her day to see

One of the students, Ally Robson, gives his account of turning classroom theory harsh side of life as consultants. We went straight up to one of their us showed how important the

project was to Thomson Financial.

into practice. After the amazing feat of getting to boardrooms, where we waited to

the coach in time I was met by the meet members of the senior When we met with Sharon we

rest of the course. To onlookers we executive team. It still didn’t feel real, already had some key themes

must have looked like a group of more like we were pretending to be which we could share with her.

extras from Shaun of the Dead, but consultants rather than actually It was a slightly surreal experience

with excess amounts of luggage. being them. as in the space of a few days we

We landed in Newark airport and This feeling didn’t last much longer had gone from learning about

were now only functioning on the however, as after what felt like only a consultancy to real life

large amounts of coffee supplied to short briefing, it was into the first set implementation, with all the

us on the flight. However we still had of focus groups. There was no doubt responsibilities that come with it.

to get to our accommodation. about it, we were here to work and a Without a doubt this truly was

This part of the journey ended up lot was being expected of us, it was turning out to be an experience

being the most dangerous part of the time to get stuck into it, which is none of us would ever forget.

trip as it involved travelling with exactly what everyone did. The second day marked the end of

Death, otherwise known as a New By the end of the first day we had the normal working week, but not

York City Cab. run four focus groups, two looking for a group of high powered

Just before you die, you are meant to at culture and two looking at consultants like us! We had to

see your whole life flash before your communication. In each session we prepare a presentation and report

eyes. This is exactly what the cab ride would either be taking notes on what for Monday. The decision was

from the airport was like although individuals were saying or actually taken by the group to enjoy Friday

instead of your life flashing before leading one of the sessions. This night and Saturday in New York

you at great speed it was the famous involved asking the staff a series and to get back to work on Sunday.

New York City skyline. of open-ended questions. Needless to say we made sure we

Grateful to be alive, we arrived You would not expect sitting in a all lived it up on Friday night and

at the Columbia University halls room asking people questions to be celebrated all the work we had

of residence almost seconds after so exhausting – but it is, and by the already done. The details of this,

leaving the airport. By this point end of the first day we were all tired like all work nights out, are best

all illusions of consultancy involving(partly due to jet lag) but sheer kept vague; however this evening

business class flights and chauffeur adrenaline had got us through until did involve a search for some cups,

driven cars had been very much 6.00pm. So in a true professional a trip to “the village” and a bizarre

blown out of the water. style it was an early night for the incident involving a snake and

a parrot!

However, through all of this everyone group, with only a few nightcaps

was still excited and eager to get in the local bar near our

started on the project. We would accommodation.

have to wait until the morning before

we could start so, in a bid to blend

into the New York City culture, we

EMBA students at Thomson Financial with Sharon Rowlands, CEO; got changed and headed into the

Kimberly A. Bates McCarl, VP Individual Effectiveness and centre of the Big Apple.

Sarah Dunn, EVP Human Resources and Organisational Development. Right: The thrills

of New York City







13 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 14

Features Features









It would have been a crime to come

all this way and not see any of the

sights, or in the case of the girls on

the trip, the department stores.

Day Three – Day of Rest Day Four – The Gay Pride March Day Five – The Final Day at

and Sight Seeing and a Night in the Office Thomson Financial

Relaxing after a In a space of a few

hard day

It would have been a crime to come Our extra day in the office happened We presented our findings and days we had proven

all this way and not see any of the to coincide with the annual Gay recommendations to senior Below: Sharon

Rowlands answers

our abilities as a

sights, or in the case of the girls on Pride March in New York City. As management in the executive

the trip, the department stores. we all made our way to Thomson boardroom. This was where all the

students’ questions group and earned the

For the group I was with there were Financial’s main office we were able hard work everyone had put into right to call ourselves

two important lessons that were to get to see another side to New

York. And this was definitely not just

the trip paid off. The report was consultants.

learnt on Saturday. well received by the management

Number 1: Central Park is massive another typical day in the office! and was seen to be crucial in the

and is full of kites and ultimate We started early and ended up future success of the merger

frisbee players. working until late, putting together between the two organisations.

the final touches to our presentation In the space of a few days we, as

Number 2: It is very easy to end up a group, had not only produced

in Harlem, especially when you and the bulk of the report. But as

the true professionals we had a piece of work which exceeded

don’t know where you are! Thomson Financial’s expectations,

already shown ourselves to be,

we were all set for the presentation we had proven our abilities as a

on Monday morning. group and earned the right to call

ourselves consultants.

In appreciation for our work,

Thomson Financial arranged for

a fleet of private cars (with blacked

Taxi to Columbia out windows) to take us to the

University airport. If nothing else this proved

we were now truly consultants

and was a far cry from the original

taxi ride. If only they had also

offered to bump us all up to

business class on the way back,

but then, there is always next time…









Christian, Jack

and Steve deep

in discussion









15 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 16

Features Features









Love Newcastle

LIVE Newcastle!

Helen Fleming



International students in the city participate in the

International Community Day and make it a success









From the South Pole

to the North Pole

Sharmishta Chatterjee-Banerjee



Another Marketing and Management graduate sets out to conquer the Pole

Cast your mind back to NUBusiness art of sky-diving. It is with this On his return from the Pole, Brian

issue 02, summer 2006, you may passion for adventure and a dream carried out school tours to inspire

remember reading about Oli to succeed that at the age of twenty- and educate young North East

Pattenden, a former Marketing and four he has just faced his greatest children about the Polar Region January 2006 saw the launch of the The event gave international 356 students from both universities came to the event in

Management graduate winning a challenge yet. Brian was part of an and its climate, the wildlife, the first ever International Community students the opportunity to air their January this year and made the most of all the experts

priceless trip to the South Pole by international team that skied to the history, the landscapes, the Day, an event run by Newcastle queries as well as have some fun. who were on hand. Apart from university officials and

entering a web-based competition Geographic North Pole in April 2007. adventure, the future… University, Northumbria University They were able to make friends, get student societies, the stands at the International

run by local organisation Aspire. The team followed in the footsteps and Newcastle City Council, intended involved in volunteering, talk to Community Day included representatives from the

This tour was a huge success, and

of Nansen, Peary and Cook, trekking to help international students living university services such as careers, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, the National Trust, the

Now another graduate from the his experience left the children in

over drifting ice packs on the Arctic in Newcastle become more involved accommodation and the Job Shop, Home Office, and many more. In addition, a series of

same programme has just returned awe of the Arctic and ready to

Ocean to the Geographic North in the Newcastle community and way find out what’s going on in the city talks were run throughout the day to give advice and

from a challenging expedition to the jump off the sofa to face new

Pole… literally to the Top of of life. Due to its success, the event and the region, and get advice on guidance to international students to help them make

North Pole which was sponsored by challenges and adventures of their

the World! was held once again in January staying in the UK after they finish the most of their time in Newcastle.

Stagecoach, Arriva, Nexus, North own. It was an influential

Sea Logistics, Northumberland Anticipating the challenge that programme that has certainly left 2007, and the third International their studies. As one of the students This autumn Newcastle is looking forward to hosting the

Strategic Partnership and Houghton awaited them, the team prepared its mark on the future generation, Community Day is already planned from Newcastle University said: “It biggest International Community Day to date which will

International Electrical Services. for weeks - the actual experience helping to shape the explorers of for late autumn this year. was a really nice experience and I be open to over 7,500 international students from both

however went far beyond their tomorrow. Brian who is still gained a lot of information. It was a Northumbria and Newcastle Universities, with stands

Brian Douds, a 2005 graduate from good forum to meet people from your

expectations. Extreme temperatures carrying out talks said: “This is and experts from around the North East, and a wide

our BA in Marketing and home country and the international

of -35 degrees celsius, arctic winds, only the beginning – I aim to take range of opportunities for international students. There

Management programme loves an community as well.”

severe exhaustion, vast open water the programme nationwide. Of will be a chance to talk to experts about “what to do” in

adventure. While reading for his

leads, 30-foot pressure ridges and the course, neither the expedition nor Newcastle, and valuable information to help students

degree he travelled independently Students gather

constant threat of a polar bear attack the education programme would make the most of their degrees and their lives in

throughout South East Asia and with for an international

were only some of the hurdles. Three have been possible without the Newcastle. Student reps from all over the world will be

his surfboard in tow he hitch-hiked experience

members of the team suffered support of the sponsors, who were available to give first-hand advice to students to help

solo across Australia, from the North

frostbite and one even fell through the lifeblood of this project.” Now, them feel at home in Newcastle. The Universities will also

to the Great Ocean Road in the far

the ice into the 4,000m deep Arctic the South Pole doesn’t seem to be be offering students opportunities to find out more about

South. Brian has tried his hand at

Ocean. At some point the ice was that far away for him. working in the North East after they complete their

many adventure sports - he is a

only centimetres thick and could studies.

qualified scuba diver, an

been seen dipping as the team

accomplished Motocross rider, in

crossed it! Photograph Courtesy: Daniel R.

his own words, “a not so excellent

Westergren, Senior Photo Editor for For more information about this or future

surfer” and is trying to master the International Community Days please email

National Geographic Traveler Magazine.

Helen Fleming at Helen.Fleming@ncl.ac.uk



17 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 18

Features Features









Human Resources Management

Is Just a Click Away

David Rankin





You may have a great business idea, a vision of where you over the telephone with site visits Web-based and telephone HR

Good financial by seasoned human resources services operate at a fraction of the

want to go with the idea and a passion to succeed, but have management, plans for

specialists, as and when required cost of traditional suppliers of legal

by the business owner. Given the advice because their cost base is very

you any experience in managing people? Masterminding your sales and marketing benefits of such online and telephone low. You can try out the services of

own business is not all black and white. Business School and for employing

HR services in terms of not only

huge cost savings compared to

most suppliers free of charge to see

just how good they are. Have a go at

alumnus David Rankin, Business Development Director at people are all obvious traditional sources of legal advice, this before your employees do!

but also ease and speed of use, it is

BusinessHR, offers his advice on turning big dreams into areas to be covered in not surprising that there are now a

realistic business plans. the creation of a viable number of providers of such services.

business plan and the A good HR website will provide a

business owner with easy-to-use,

development of that online guides that, step by step, will

plan over time. help keep that business owner on the

right side of age, sex, equality and

race relations law and following “best

Choose Your Team Any business plan should show how

those key areas are going to be

practice” in HR. And all this is just a

mouse click away, making the whole

managed cost effectively, quickly and process immediate and thus less

according to “best practice,” leaving arduous, risk free and even

time not only for actually creating pleasurable.

revenue but for unexpected In selecting your online HR provider

problems, of which there will be it may not be a good idea to sign up

many in a new business. with what turns out to be a call

David Rankin

Take the legislative side for example. centre where the person dealing

If you asked the “Federation of Small with your query has no personal

Ast Ma









Businesses” they would tell you that knowledge of you or the issues you

SMEs are struggling to deal with the have raised in the past and whose

complex nature of UK employment knowledge seems based just on an

legislation, as well as the sheer interpretation of the law rather than

volume of it. Even larger companies practical guidance on what you David Rankin studied economics

find it a minefield with the new law actually can do. There is also helpful at Newcastle in the late 1960s.

on age discrimination being a front- advice available on many HR

After a long career both in

12.34

12.34









runner for creating anguish in websites detailing ways to develop

London and abroad with a major

Human Resources (HR) departments. staff and improve performance – all

Receptionist

Researcher









Designers









the “softer” aspects of managing financial organisation he has, for

The issue of managing people cost

staff which many young and the last 10 years, been involved in

effectively and quickly, using best

thrusting entrepreneurs may well managing a range of small

practice and staying within the law,

not have been in business long companies in the IT sector. His

may be too much effort for many

r Team Inc enough to experience. current interest is BusinessHR, a

small businesses. Unfortunately,

ignorance or lack of procedures is no You need to choose a website that is web and telephone based service

defence in an employment tribunal. easy to navigate around and which which helps companies of all sizes

offers the opportunity to talk to an to manage staff cost

So how can people, who these days

experienced team of practitioners

know their rights more than they effectively whilst staying on the

who have your “call history” on a

ever did and are willing to exercise screen when you call - who get to right side of the law.

those rights assertively, be managed know you over time and adopt you

BusinessHR’s clients include

cost effectively, quickly and as “their” client. You need fast advice

according to “best practice?” Hiscox, The Institute of

confirmed in an email that is legally Hospitality, Intellect (the trade

The answer is that human resource compliant and practical. Last but not

association for the IT industry),

management and guidance on least this advice needs to be cost

employment legislation is now effective. Connaught plc and a nation-wide

substantially provided online and well known firm of solicitors.





19 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 20

Discussion









A Round Table Discussion:

Summer School’s out but has it been a success?

Kate Morris

Moderator: Lee, as a student do you Moderator: Are there any other Eric Cross: Some academic staff see

The University launched an International Summer School in 2006 and has think your experience has lived up wider non-academic benefits? the summer as their research time

just finished running it for the second time. Students can choose from nine to the mission statement that I will Niek Ten Hove: I think there will be so Summer School was greeted with

now read? benefits from doing it when finding a suspicion from some quarters.

possible summer programmes. For this round table discussion we will “The goal of our summer school job in the future. Newcastle is a very However, other members of staff

focus on the 10-week internship programme and the 3-week academic is simple: to inspire students good university to have studied at. I saw the benefit immediately —

from other countries through also think my English has improved. its usefulness for international

programme on “Doing Business in Europe.” Paul Armstrong, Marketing programmes of intensive learning recruitment.

Eric Cross: Yes, I think it is that

Manager at the Business School, thinks it’s time to ask some of those and teaching excellence, while international experience for your Tracy Scurry: I would add to that by

who’ve been involved whether or not it’s meeting expectations? creating an exciting yet supportive CV — helps get you to interview and saying that it isn’t on most people’s

environment in which to experience then in the interview gives you a radar unless they teach on it, which

British culture and society.” discussion point. is the most unfortunate thing. And

Above: Summer Lee Whieldon: I think I’ve actually getting people to commit to

Moderator: Paul Armstrong is the Marketing Manager Moderator: Kate, we’ll kick off Moderator: Lee, you took the teach in the summer is an absolute

School students experienced more than the mission internship programme, but why

at Newcastle University Business School with you — what is the University at St. James’ Park nightmare. But then I think this

trying to achieve by running the statement. I got a job offer from Newcastle and not London where

Below: Discussion my placement. I have professional reflects that the academic staff are

International Summer Schools? on in full swing the music industry is stronger? under pressure all year round with

connections now. Yes, it has been

Kate Morris: The University is really exciting and supportive but Lee Whieldon: The study abroad teaching, research and third strand.

committed to internationalising also it has been integral to my future advisor at Towson introduced me Those involved seem to really enjoy

Kate Morris is the International Summer to Newcastle’s programme. Also teaching though.

the campus. We want to increase career.

School Manager when I was researching the city,

the number of international Eric Cross: Yes, teaching such a

students we get here. The I found that there is a lot of new diverse group creates an interesting

international summer school music, art and culture building up mix of perspectives and this can be

offers students from around the here. Working with Lisa, I did sales, fascinating for teachers as well as

world an alternative opportunity press, radio and so many different for students.

Eric Cross is the Dean of Cultural Affairs — He to experience student life at the things. If I had gone to London it

promotes the University across international markets probably would have been more Moderator: Okay, so sounds like

University without having to take a

admin. So to get the hands on more internal promotion among

full degree or year-long programme.

experience as opposed to getting academic staff is needed. To wrap up

Moderator: Why do you think the discussion, why should students

a city name was one of the main

overseas students consider doing choose Newcastle in summer 2008?

things about Newcastle.

summer schools?

Lee Whieldon is a student from Towson University, Moderator: Lisa, what made you Tracy Scurry: We are a good

Lee Whieldon: I know that academic institution. On the “Doing

Maryland in the US. She took the 10-week internship take on a summer intern?

American students look towards Business in Europe” programme

programme that included a 7-week placement with NDN Lisa McNab: NDN is about giving

doing an international degree we offer a combination of teaching

Distribution followed by the 3-week academic people experience to get their

because it looks good on their involving academics, practitioners,

programme on “Doing Business in Europe” careers off the ground so it fits to

resumé. It’s vital to experience company visits and guest lectures.

another culture. be taking on an internship student We give a comprehensive business

Niek Ten Hove is a student from Holland. He took like Lee. I thought it was great that

Niek Ten Hove: I want to have overview.

the three week summer school programme on she was from America. When Lee

“Doing Business in Europe” friends all over the world. It’s an Lisa McNab: In terms of the

goes back to the States I will have

educational holiday — the academic

programme is serious but the social “Lee wanted a contact in America who will one internship programme, Lee wanted

something very specific in an area

day be working in the music

programme is fun. You go on trips.

And get to know Newcastle.

something very industry. In America, Lee will be where that industry isn’t ripe and

Tracy Scurry is the Programme Director

for “Doing Business in Europe” Moderator: What types of things

specific in an area targeting bands and they will be

hearing about NDN.

the University found it for her. I

would imagine that other students

should a good summer school entail? where that industry Moderator: So Lee sounds happy

and companies matched with the

same kind of attention will have just

Kate Morris: A good summer school

needs to meet the expectations of

isn’t ripe and the and you do too, but what about as great an experience.

the people who are going to come. University found the academic programmes and

teaching staff? Moderator: That is great everyone

Lisa McNab manages a small music company in the

North East called NDN

We try to be as clear as possible

about what students will get in all

it for her.” — thanks very much for all your

comments and for taking part.

our promotional material. We

deliver a strong academic

programme alongside a quality

social programme.



21 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 22

Profile Research focus





Making the MOST for the Region The Rise of Metaverses





Christian Hicks Savvas Papagiannidis



Business School’s Research Group helps improve competitiveness within companies in the North East. Are three dimensional worlds the next generation web?





The Management of Operations, Strategy and Technology disseminate Lean expertise through

Tom McGovern

(MOST) Research Group is a recently formed the EU funded Intereg initiative.

Lecturer in Business Strategy

interdisciplinary research group within the Business School MOST has an international reputation

that brings together engineers, mathematicians, Research Interests

for research relating to engineer-to-

statisticians and social scientists. The overall aim is to Supply chain management,

order companies that produce complex

conduct world-class research that helps organisations knowledge management, capital

capital goods in low volume. We have

improve their competitiveness. Our research agenda is goods and project-based industries,

addressed a wide range of topics in

driven by the changing needs of companies as they seek company decline and failure and

our research which include business

responses to changes in technology and the commercial, turnaround strategies, the role of

process modeling, manufacturing

regulatory, political and economic environment. change agents, implementing Lean

and business strategy, supply chain

This approach supports the University’s strategy of management, computer aided

translational research, which contributes to regional Pushkar Jha

production management systems,

development. Lecturer in Strategy

manufacturing layout, planning and

One NorthEast, the North East’s regional development control. Some of our recent work has Research Interests

agency, has formed the North East Productivity Alliance concentrated on requirements Learning from Strategic

(NEPA), which has disseminated Lean tools and techniques definition, the management of Experiences; Project based

into companies in the North East of England. This initiative specifications and design change Organisational Learning; Design

will increase the competitiveness of regional companies and control. Contests; Mergers and Acquisitions

sustain employment. MOST has been involved in evaluating (Spec: Post Merger Integration)

the NEPA initiative in collaboration with NA-Consulting, Marketing, and more specifically advertising and to highlight the potential of such Our ebusiness students undertook

based in Sunderland, and is about to embark upon several Mike Cox Chris Hicks

Lecturer in Applicable promoting products and services, was one of the most worlds as business and marketing consultancy assignments using

new Lean projects. Our first project will analyse the Professor of Operations

Mathematics significant areas in which electronic business was platforms. We explored the way the Second Life which threw up different

relationship between company type, implementation issues Management

affected from the outset of the Internet’s introduction. selected banks developed a business scenarios in the real world versus

and performance, while the second will investigate the role Research Interests Research Interests This started by using emails to communicate and marketing presence in the the virtual one. They really enjoyed

of change agents in the implementation of Lean. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS); Operations Research and promotional messages and web pages to display three-dimensional environment, it and one of them even started

MOST has a vibrant community of approximately 20 Statistical Process Control (SPC) Managment; Manufacturing advertising banners, and then gradually evolved to with particular emphasis on his own business selling

postgraduate researchers and engages students in and the Analytic Hierarchy Process Systems; Planning and Control; a wide range of sophisticated mechanisms. customer relationship virtual furniture.

industrially relevant research. Current students are (AHP) Layout; Simulation; Optimisation; management repercussions.

Another evolution, or as many would argue a revolution, The emergence of metaverses has

conducting research in Lean and agile manufacturing, Supply Chain Management;

Paul Braiden could be seen in the advent of three-dimensional virtual We also studied the potential brought extra dynamism to an

supply chain management, shop floor control and the Information Technology; Make/

Emeritus Professor worlds, such as that of Second Life, which are often implications for retailers. The spatial evolving business landscape, in

optimisation of manufacturing layout. Engineer-to-order companies;

referred to as “metaverses.”Metaverses are not “games.” dimension should be taken into which marketing is more and

Research Interests Lean Manufacturing;

The last two decades have seen a massive upsurge in They are extensions of our physical universe, to which consideration by retailers who more influenced by technology.

Complex systems in manufacturing Agile Manufacturing;

globalisation with companies now subject to intense they add new dimensions for economic, social and operate simultaneously in three Metaverses may or may not be the

international competition. Our response to this has been to and design and business processes leisure activities to take place. Similarly to how the different, but intertwined spaces, i.e. next generation web, but there is

Oliver Heidrich

conduct research, relevant to the region as well as from the Internet and more specifically the web created an the physical, the electronic and the no doubt that they are here to stay.

Kasia Zdunczyk Lecturer in Waste Management

international perspective. In doing so, MOST is increasing electronic transacting landscape, metaverses provide a metaverse. A key finding was that

collaboration with other leading business schools. Lecturer in Management Research Interests rich context in which digital transactions can take place. retailers need to employ a holistic

An example of this is the Business School’s joint part-time Research Interests Industrial ecology and the and overarching approach when

Many real world companies and organisations have

Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) with Organisational learning and sustainable management of devising their promotional strategies. Dr Savvas Papagiannidis is a

established a presence in metaverses and in particular

Grenoble Ecole de Management, which is based upon a Knowledge; Inter-organisational businesses; Industrial and Lecturer in Management and

in Second Life, spanning a wide range of industries, Other work in the rapidly expanding

common interest shared by both institutions in technology collaboration municipal solid waste management Degree Programme Director

markets and functions. Examples include ABN AMRO, research area of metaverses includes

management. systems; Life cycle assessment; of the MSc in Ebusiness and

Adidas, American Apparel, Dell, Harvard Law School, studies of virtual music

Edward Lugsden Standardised business Information Systems.

We have strong ties with the Faculty of Management IBM, Microsoft, Reuters, Sony Ericsson, the Swedish performances, trust and ethics in

Lecturer in Human management systems (e.g.

and Organisation at Groningen University, which has Government, Toyota, and many others. In most metaverses and general business

Resource Management ISO 9001, 14001) and Business To visit the Ebusiness@Newcastle

a common interest in engineer-to-order companies and cases engaging with the customer is purely for and management implications.

psychology (the human factor island go to: http://slurl.com/

Lean supply. Chris Hicks and Warse Klingenberg have Research Interests marketing purposes. The study of metaverses has been

on management systems) secondlife/ebusiness/125/125 after

acted as Guest Editors for a Special Edition of the Human resource practices in At Newcastle University Business School, our research used in our teaching, especially

International Journal of Technology Management. The downloading and installing the

the National Health Service in this area has been primarily focused on marketing in the MSc in Ebusiness and

For more information on MOST please Second Life software, available at:

Business School in collaboration with One NorthEast and and entrepreneurship. We recently undertook two case Information Systems.

contact Professor Christian Hicks at http://www.secondlife.com.

other partners in Europe, is developing a proposal to studies of real banks operating in metaverses in order

chris.hicks@ncl.ac.uk.



23 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 24

Alumni





Alumni Archive





Compiled by Stuart Garratt & Sharmishta Chatterjee-Banerjee

It is always interesting to see where your old classmates have gone and what they have been doing since

you last saw them. We got in touch with some Business School alumni to find out where they have been,

what they have been up to and what they remember from their time at Newcastle!









George( Sai Hong) Liu Renata Leite Barbosa Craig Hammer Christine Knight

BA (Hons) Economics and BA (Hons) Economics BA (Hons) Management Studies BA (Hons) Economics

Financial Analysis 1995, MBA 1996 2003 1999 1983



What are you doing now? What are you doing now? What are you doing now? What are you doing now?

I am working as an Assistant I live in New York City and work I am currently working as the I am working as a Senior Project

General Manager (Finance), for the auction house Sotheby’s. Head of Marketing and Strategy Manager for Barclays Bank.

Greater China Region Direct Where do you see yourself for a regional motor group Your most memorable

Shipping Services Group in 10 years time? in Yorkshire. experience at Newcastle:

in Hong Kong. I want to give my best now so that I Your most memorable Arriving home from a second year

Where do you see yourself can have a choice later — to either experience at Newcastle: Saturday night party at 11am on

in 10 years time? stay in the USA or return to Brazil. There are so many… the buzz of Sunday and bumping into my

I hope I can be a small business Your most memorable the city on a Saturday lunchtime, elderly neighbour at the front

owner rather than a senior experience at Newcastle: the smell of pastry emanating out door, who said: “Oh, have you

executive in a large enterprise. I remember all the friends I made from the Greggs bakery, the roar just been out for a Sunday

I am planning to start a small and the lecturers who helped me of the crowd at St James’s Park morning stroll?”

Caroline Armitage (nee Horsfall) accounting firm or a gallery throughout my course. The music being heard from my window in Where do you see yourself

BA (Hons) Economics and Accounting selling Chinese oil paintings in concerts in Newcastle were Castle Leazes, telling me a goal in 10 years time?

1979 the near future. also great. had been scored; summer On a beach in Cyprus…

Your most memorable afternoons sitting on the grass out

Tell us something interesting the front of the union. And then Tell us something interesting

experience at Newcastle:

What are you doing now? Your most memorable about you which other alumni there are the less memorable ones about you which other alumni

My most memorable experience

Two years ago, I sold my art experience at Newcastle: may be interested to hear about: such as Ritzy or Maddisons on a might be interested to hear about:

at Newcastle was the year when

gallery, photography business I don’t think I have “a” most After graduating from Newcastle Wednesday night followed by When I saw the Careers Officer in

I was studying for my MBA.

and home to move to the South memorable experience as I I went back to Brazil and worked Maths and Stats at 9am on a third year and did the personality

Especially the classmates, the

of France with my partner. can remember so many happy for an investment bank. I then Thursday morning! test, the outcome was that I didn’t

staff and the lecturers I met that

We bought a beautiful property, times there. moved on to the music business want to work in accountancy or

year. I am still in touch with some Where do you see yourself

set in forty acres near Hyères on Where do you see yourself and now I am working in the art computing. My first job after

of the classmates even though in 10 years time?

the French Riviera, which we in 10 years time? world. I learnt that sometimes University was as a trainee

they are now based in different Sitting on the deck of my private

have split to create four holiday I hope to still be living in France you have to be persistent in order accountant, then I worked in

parts of the world. yacht in the bay of St. Tropez

apartments and a home for and still taking photographs, which to fulfil your dreams. And, you IT for 15 years and now I’m a

Tell us something interesting don’t have to know now what watching my own football club Business Project Manager… so

ourselves. We now have a thriving is both my passion and my work. play in the Champions League

about you which other alumni you’ll be doing for the rest of there’s a story there somewhere.

holiday rental business. I also have Tell us something interesting about might be interested to hear about: final on my 50in wall mounted

my own studio and workshop on your life – at least I don’t!

you which other alumni might be 10 years since I got my MBA I plasma screen.

site, so have recently recommenced interested to hear about: have discovered two things about

my photography business. Tell us something interesting

I have two grown-up children, the real business world. First, about you which other alumni

Henry (24) and Lucy (21). people create problems to which might be interested to hear about:

solutions must be found. And I am currently trying to execute

second, no organisation in the my own multi-million pound

real world is systematic - there

“I sold my art gallery, photography business are“mess-ups” everywhere. And

business acquisition.



and home to move to the South of France.” to manage these, a “mess-up”

approach needs to be used!





25 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 26

Alumni Book Review





Alumni Events The Tiger That Isn’t





Sharmishta Chatterjee-Banerjee Andrew Simpson



Following the successful alumni events held in Delhi, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai, The Tiger That Isn’t: Seeing Through A World Of Numbers

London and New York, the Business School made its first visit to the Far East this May. Michael Blastland and Andrew Dilnot. Profile Books. 2007. ISBM 978 1 86197 839 4





Business School’s Uniquely The School Visits Malaysia Forthcoming Events

As I sit writing this review I can not The authors then take us through

Singaporean Experience

help but feel as if I am something of a journey, looking at concepts of

a fraud, on two counts. First, I still chance, sampling, averages and

have two chapters left to read, correlation. Each is explained with

On the evening of 14th May We will be hosting alumni events although I do not believe that these the use of clear and easily

Professor David Charles hosted throughout the year both in the will change my view of this book. understood examples, without a

a dinner reception at the Chyna UK and internationally. To find Second, I have been trying to teach formula in sight! They use these

Restaurant, Hilton Hotel in out more or to organise a reunion an understanding of numbers to examples to prompt the reader to ask

Kuala Lumpur for the Business for your class please contact MBA students now for six years questions when presented with

School’s graduates in Malaysia. Sharmishta Chatterjee-Banerjee and this book has made me feel like stories backed by numbers. Often the

Professor Charles was at S.Chatterjee-Banerjee@ncl. a complete amateur. real numbers will tell a different

accompanied by Mrs Sharmishta ac.uk story to the reported one. Examples

We are confronted with numbers

Chatterjee-Banerjee, Alumni include such hot topics as speed

in all aspects of our lives – these are

Manager from the Business You can meet us at: cameras and global warming, in

used by the media, business, special

School, and Mr. Subra Singaram each we are helped to understand

Hong Kong: November 24th interest groups and politicians to

and Mr. David Foreman from the that what we are told is not always

Shanghai: November 27th justify actions or inactions and not

A dinner reception hosted by Professor Ian University’s International Office backed by the real numbers or

infrequently to scare or impress.

McLoughlin at Kent Ridge Guild House in Singapore in Malaysia. Beijing: November 30th at very least not in the way it

The authors of this book are the

on 16th May brought together alumni from different A large number of alumni presenters of the Radio 4 series is presented.

Newcastle: December 6th

years and subject groups, who took the opportunity attended this memorable evening, “More or Less,” who set out to This book might not turn you into

to renew old acquaintances and share information allowing the School to rekindle Mumbai: December 15th increase our understanding of the a statistician; it might just turn you

and ideas. friendships with our Malaysian Bangalore: December 16th numbers we encounter from day to into a sceptic. It will, at the very

The event was a good platform for Professor graduates. The Malaysian day and help us see through some least, prompt you to think long and

chapter of our international Newcastle: January 25th

McLoughlin to provide an overview of the Business of the misrepresentation which hard when reading the newspapers

School’s achievements in recent times and invite alumni network was established Newcastle: March 18th surrounds us. or watching the news and as a result

alumni to speak about their memories of Newcastle. with Tikki Gee and Reza Shaifee view them and the world in a slightly

London: June 19th The reader is taken through a

taking up alumni ambassadorships clearer way.

The Business School looks forward to reviving journey, starting with the scale

for the region.

alumni activity in the region and providing a varied of numbers, something that many

programme of events and activities to enable This was, the first such event people fail to appreciate. For Andrew Simpson

Newcastle graduates to maintain their links to both to officially bring together example, much press and political

the University and each other. As a step towards this, our alumni in Malaysia, but attention has been focussed on the

Economics and Accounting alumna Clara Lee was its success will hopefully help £1 billion deficit within the National

appointed Alumni Ambassador for Singapore. to shape future reunions. Health Service (NHS) – is this a big Andrew Simpson, is the Director

number? The answer is no, as this of Executive Programmes at the

Speaking on her role as an alumni ambassador, Business School. He has a

equates to roughly 1% of the budget

Clara said: “Friendships from our days at the Bachelors degree in Management

for the whole NHS. This is not bad

University are most treasured, and alumni events Science with Computing from

when compared to Treasury

are the best way forward to renew and grow these the University of Kent, and an

estimates for the total government

friendships through professional and social MBA and a PhD in Statistics from

deficit of 2%! The idea put forward

networking.” Newcastle University. A fellow

here is to try and personalise the

number to indicate how much does of the Royal Statistical Society,

this mean to you as a tax payer in the Andrew’s research interest is

UK? In this case about £16, less than applied Bayesian statistical

the estimated cost of a General modelling and in particular the

Practioner’s appointment of £18. application of these techniques

to financial time series and the

subsequent derivation of efficient

portfolios through decision

theoretic approaches.









27 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 28

NUBusiness Briefings Competition Page

The Business School Briefing and Networking events enable business leaders and managers It’s time for this issue’s Sudoku competition! As always, there’s an easy practice grid to get you going

from a variety of organisations in the North East to learn from leading speakers and academics. before the competition game. To play, place each digit from 1 to 9 in every empty cell, so that the numbers

1 to 9 appear once in each of the nine vertical, horizontal rows and each of the 9 boxes.





Staff and Students Take A Lead at BAM Sudoku Easy Grid Sudoku Competition Grid — Nasty!







This year’s annual BAM and Regional Economies,” which Forthcoming Events 2 1 3 6 A 2 8 9

conference, which was held at had an impressive panel including

the Warwick Business School Professor Howard Thomas

on 11th-13th September saw (Warwick); Professor Jaideep

6 9 3 2 6

Newcastle University Business Prabhu (Imperial); Professor Business Ethics Forum: G21-22 Devonshire Building,

School playing a significant role Steve Roper (Aston) and Professor Newcastle University, Monday November 12th 7 8 5 8 6 7

in establishing its presence David Charles (Newcastle). A The Business Ethics Network will be held on Monday

amongst not only the other similar event in the Australian November 12th from 5pm till 6.30pm, with guest

6 5 7 3 8 7 1 8

academic schools that context will be hosted at the speaker Hugh Welch, Chair of Community Foundation

participated but also more widely forthcoming ANZAM conference for Tyne and Wear and Northumberland and senior 1 4 5 6 D 3 4 B

in the management community. in Sydney in December 2007. partner at Muckle LLP.

Business and Management 3 2 8 1 5 9 5 1

In addition to the conference For more information, please contact Stuart Garratt

has become a mature academic on 0191 222 8745 or email stuart.garratt@ncl.ac.uk.

discipline, and its relevance to presentations, the School’s 8 4 1 2 7 6

practice has long been an issue of links with BAM have received

Postgraduate Open Day: Kings Road Centre,

concern to BAM and its members. a further boost this year with

Newcastle University, Wednesday, November 28th, 7 2 1 3 3

With this in mind, the theme of the election of Professor Steve

drop in between 12.30 pm and 4.00 pm

the 2007 conference considered Procter to the BAM Council. 4 9 1 4 6 7 C 2

He will be taking up his post An excellent opportunity for you to meet staff and current

both the “past” and the “future”

from January 2008, and will be postgraduate students for advice and information on the

across all subjects and disciplines To enter the competition, email nubusiness@ncl.ac.uk, Congratulations to Sudoku

joining Newcastle PhD student range of taught programmes and research degrees across

with business and management with the numbers for A, B, C and D. Please mark the

research and education. Swayan Chaudhuri on the the University. To book your place please visit www.ncl. competition winner from Issue 4:

email subject as ‘NUBusiness Competition Entry’.

Council, where Swayan ac.uk/postgraduate/visit/open.

A winner will be drawn at random from the correct

Linlin, a second year undergraduate

A wide range of research papers is a Doctoral Representative student studying on the Accounting and

presented by academic staff from answers and the lucky winner will receive a Digi

responsible for Training and Leadership Myths: Theories versus Practice: Newcastle Finance BA Honours degree programme

Newcastle were representative of Memo Notepad!

Capacity Building of doctoral University Business School, Citywall, Citygate, St

this theme. Those presenting this students. Steve was also invited James Boulevard, Thursday, December 6th, 6:15pm

year included Dr. Alan Fowler, Dr. Newcastle University Business School Leadership Series

consecutively for the second The first of the Business School’s “Leadership Series”

Chris Ivory, Dr. Joanne Roberts, year by the organisers of the events, the panel discussion will explore the theories as

Dr. Audley Genus, Dr.Lesley Doctoral Symposium to run well as the practical and attainable strategies

Mearns, Professor Feng Li and a methodology workshop on “Develop the skills that will take December 6th 2007 Andrew Simpson,

surrounding leadership.

Dr. Savvas Papagiannidis. case studies with other leading you to the top!” 6:15pm - 8:15pm Director of Executive Programmes,

academics such as Derek The evening will start with a drinks reception followed Newcastle University Business Newcastle University Business School

On a particular note this year, A distinguished flagship panel

Pugh (Open), David Wilson by the panel discussion and will end with a drinks and School

there were two papers presented discussion series for our alumni, Steve Kempster,

(Warwick), David Denyer canapés reception giving all attending a chance to Citywall, Citygate

in the Management Consultancy students and friends… Member of the NLA executive board and Director

(Cranfield) and Gerard network. St James Boulevard

track which Kasia Zdunczyk had Our “Leadership Series” will help of Lancashire Leadership Centre, Lancaster

co-authored with her MBA students Hodgkinson (Leeds). For more information please contact Ruth Warwick University Managment School Northern

you to develop a powerful vision Graduates and friends of the

Kunal Chatterjee and Rohini at ruth.warwick@ncl.ac.uk. for your organisation and Leadership Academy

Murarka. These papers were based Business School are invited to join

stimulate the collective energies us for the first of our Leadership The evening will end with a drinks and canapés

on the students’ MBA dissertation MBA Briefing Sessions 2007/2008 : Newcastle of your team. Exploring theories Seminar Series: reception giving you a chance to network with

research which investigated issues University Business School, Citywall, Citygate, as well as the practical and fellow alumni and business people.

of organisational learning and St James Boulevard, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m attainable strategies surrounding “Leadership Myths:

Footnote: BAM was founded in To register please contact

knowledge-based value creation The Newcastle MBA team are running a series of events leadership, you’ll learn how to Theory versus Practice”

1986 to represent the community Ruth Warwick at:

in the context of consulting of management academics for those interested in finding out more about our MBA stimulate change, share best Panellists include:

organisations and their clients. Both with the aim of encouraging programmes. These briefing sessions below are suitable practices, inspire excellence and ruth.warwick@ncl.ac.uk

achieve buy-in at all levels. Most Paul Callaghan,

received a special commendation collaboration between academic for those interested in both the full-time and Executive Telephone: 0191 2430855

importantly, you will learn how to Chairman Leighton Group

from the Track Chair. and commercial organisations in MBA programmes.

foster an environment that Fiona Cruickshank,

As a finale to the conference, pursuit of higher quality research. November 14th, December 12th, January 16th, nurtures and rewards leadership Managing Director,

Professor David Charles and The first BAM conference was February 13th, March 12th and April 16th at all levels to create excellence in The Specials Lab

Swayan Chaudhuri organised held at the University of Warwick your organisation.

For more information about the Newcastle MBA please Mark Hatton,

an Innovation Symposium for in 1987 and since then the

register at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/forms/nubs/mba- Partner, Ernst & Young LLP

“Understanding the Impacts of conference has taken place in

openday/.

Business Schools on their Local a different university town

each year.

29 — NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 NUBUSINESS MAGAZINE AUTUMN/WINTER 2007 — 30

Master Business

in the North East

Newcastle University Business School

offers a two year Executive MBA

programme a one year full-time MBA



• Both programmes are accredited by the Association of MBAs



• Small class sizes allow for increased collaboration



• New executive facilities in the centre of Newcastle



• Executive MBA has the flexibility of block delivery

and both October and January start dates









For more information email mba@ncl.ac.uk

www.ncl.ac.uk /nubs