Students | Bristol Business School blog

Five things businesses can do to become digitally savvy

Faculty of Business and Law | 6 November 2017

Author: Tim Hughes, Professor of Applied Marketing

In recent years, digital marketing has fundamentally changed the nature of communication with customers. This is true of both Business-to-Consumer and Business-to-Business markets. Digital marketing captured 48% of U.K advertising revenue in 2016.

Update your website – For commercial and non-commercial organisations your website is your shop window to the world. It needs to reflect your brand values and be easy to use. Websites built on older platforms may be expensive to update. Using a specialist agency may be the best way to create a new website, although building your own is relatively simple.
Ensure your customers can find you – Get familiar with Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay Per Click (PPC), advertising and email marketing, then use these to direct traffic to your website.
Engage your customers and potential customers – Social Media provides a great opportunity to talk to people with particular interests and profiles. Success in this is all about developing stimulating content over a sustained period.
Listen to your customers- Social Media, Blogs and Customer Review sites allow you to hear what customers are saying without having to commission expensive research.
Use data effectively – Understanding Data Analytics is the key to making the most of the extensive data that is created digitally. Use analytics to see what’s working and what isn’t.

Digital marketing can be daunting for small and medium companies and organisations. Using an agency may be a solution for some, but this can be expensive and does not necessarily provide an integrated solution. Another way is to equip your own staff with the skills to manage your digital marketing. Bristol Business School offers a Digital Marketing Institute qualification to support this (link). The next course runs from February 2018. See here for more information.

First cohort of Bristol Business School students graduate from Villa College

Faculty of Business and Law | 23 October 20176 December 2017

On Saturday 7th October, Professor Steve West CBE, Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer and Fiona Jordan, Associate Dean External Engagement and Nadine Fry Head of Department – Accounting, Economics and Finance attended the Villa College graduation ceremony in the Maldives.

Villa College is one of our partner universities which offers students the chance to receive a UWE Bristol awarded degree for the following courses: Accounting and Finance; Business and Management; Business Management with Marketing; and Business and Human Resource Management.

This is the first cohort of UWE students to graduate from Villa College since the partnership began. The graduation ceremony also marked the 10th Anniversary of Villa College.

Congratulations to all the students who graduated!

Professor Lukumon Oyedele gives Keynote Speech at CIMA Regional Conference

Faculty of Business and Law | 10 October 20176 December 2017

Professor Lukumon Oyedele was invited to give the Keynote Speech at the CIMA Regional Conference: “Reflect, re-plan and respond” which was held at Celtic Manor on Friday 6th October.

Professor Oyedele attended the conference alongside Debbie Sturge, several Research Assistants and some PG students.

His Keynote on Big Data, looked at the challenges and opportunities for Businesses.

The conference was attended by a broad range of finance professionals representing regional companies such as Computershare and Nationwide.

The Conference also heard from Leo Ringer of Global Counsel who gave a very clear economic analysis of the current state of Brexit, and Justin Urquart Stewart of Seven Investment Management (7IM) and radio and TV fame on the current investment environment in the UK.

Thanks to will James, Area Chairman of CIMA, for inviting the Business School to contribute to this event and to Lukemon for an excellent and well received presentation.

UWE Bristol moves up three places in the Times Good University Guide

Faculty of Business and Law | 26 September 2017

The University of the West of England has risen three places to 57th position in the Times Good University Guide.

UWE Bristol is ranked fifth in the South West in the annual guide. The university is also top in the South West for student experience and second for teaching excellence based on the outcome of the National Student Survey figures for 2017.

Responding to the improvement in the rankings Professor Steve West, UWE Bristol President and Vice-Chancellor, said, “We are very pleased to see that we are moving forward in the right direction. Staff and students have strived over the past year to work towards making UWE Bristol an even greater place to study.

“We are among the top rated modern universities in the league table. We have invested heavily in our learning environment and seen the launch of two major buildings including the Bristol Business School and new animation and film-making studios in the past year.

“At UWE Bristol we pride ourselves on our employability results. Earlier this year the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA) showed we were ahead of all West Universities for employment and further study of students who graduated in 2016.

“We want to be a top 50 University by 2020 and our ambitious strategy to become the best university for practice based learning is absolutely taking shape. I would like to say a big thank you to our incredibly hard working staff who have helped us to move forward towards this goal.”

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018 published on 24 September, provides students and their parents with an invaluable first reference point on the path to finding a university place. It contains full profiles of all universities. The league table is made up of nine indicators including student satisfaction with teaching quality and their wider student experience, research quality, graduate prospects, entrance qualifications held by new students, degree results achieved, student/staff ratios, service and facilities spend, and degree completion rates.

Bristol Business School shortlisted for Business School of the Year

Faculty of Business and Law | 11 September 2017

Bristol Business School has been shortlisted for Business School of the Year category of the Times Higher Education Awards 2017.

This nomination is welcomed by the Executive Dean Donna Whitehead who said that making the Times Higher Shortlist is the culmination of a fantastic year.

Donna Whitehead said, “It is wonderful to be nominated for this coveted accolade especially in a year where we have seen our investment in a state of the art building come to life.

“The building is a symbol for the way we approach business education with an emphasis on practice based learning enhanced by the way we relate to and engage with thousands of business partners in the region.

“The new purpose built business school has completely moved away from traditional learning spaces and greatly expanded the use of technology enhanced active learning to allow for greater co-creation and student-led problem solving. We have created an ambitious, creative and inspiring place for our students, staff and the business community.”

The School is distinctive in five areas: engagement with businesses and region; enterprise, practice led teaching and learning, internationalisation and research that is shaping the future of organisations.

The award submission was based around our performance during academic year 2015/16 during which we are especially proud our strong performance in the areas of enterprise and practice based learning, engaging with business and impactful research.

Student satisfaction rates are excellent as evidenced by scores in the 2016 National Student Survey, for example, 100% on BA Business and HRM and 98% on BA Economics; and businesses in the region routinely describe the school as responsive, innovative and engaging.

Donna Whitehead continues, “We have embraced new learning methods, such as the BA (Hons) Team Entrepreneurship, where we achieved an NSS personal development score of 98%.

“Employability rates are impressive with 95% of our students in work and 75% in professional and managerial roles / further study six months after graduation.

“Enterprise is embedded within all of our courses ensuring that all students graduate as resilient, agile and able to deal with a working environment that is constantly changing.

“Students are encouraged to take part in summer internships with financial support and a mentor to develop a business. As part of a partnership agreement with Santander, students can compete in a Dragon’s Den competition with up to £5,000 available to winners.

“A Business Fellows Programme brings together an exclusive network of 40 business leaders, from a range of sectors, working in partnership with each other to mentor our students and work in collaboration with our academics.

“A world-class Bristol Distinguished Address Series is brought to the city twice each year where business leaders are invited to open lectures to provide valuable insight to record numbers of employers and students.

“In April 2016 our BA (Hons) International Business was accredited by EPAS, a highly regarded international accreditation system enjoyed by only the world’s best business courses.

“During 2015/16, Bristol Business School received £1,121,000 income for Business and Management research – exceeding that of all Alliance University Business Schools and a significant number of Russell Group Business Schools.”

Professor Steve West, President and Vice-Chancellor, said, “The Bristol Business School deserves to win Business School of the Year. Our strategic objectives are bold and distinctive and we are proud to open up opportunities to thousands of students who go on to become business leaders.

“I am proud of what the staff team has achieved and grateful to the hard work from across the university that has led to this recognition by making the Times Higher Education awards shortlist in this important category. Good luck to us!”

The awards dinner and ceremony when the winner will be announced will take place on Thursday 30 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.

Accounting and Finance student awarded the CICM Prize for Excellence in Credit Risk: Analysis and Management

Faculty of Business and Law | 27 July 2017

Accounting and Finance student Simeon Smith was awarded the CICM Prize for Excellence in Credit Risk: Analysis and Management and the ICAEW prize for the Best Accounting in Context Project at his graduation ceremony.

The award was presented to Simeon by Debbie Tuckwood, CICM Head of Education and Professional Development.

“I am delighted to have received the CICM prize as it has reinforced my self-belief and left me with a great sense of achievement,” Simeon said after the ceremony. “While studying BA Accounting and Finance at UWE Bristol, I enrolled on to both Credit Risk and Credit Management modules.

“The analytical nature of the subjects appealed to me, particularly the use of statistics to inform decision-making. Having recently secured my place on the Finance Graduate Programme at Airbus, I am confident that the skills I have acquired on these modules will mean I am better equipped to make key strategic decisions.”

Anthony Bray, UWE Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance, emphasised the value of academic prizes for inspiring and rewarding their top students:

“The BA Accounting and Finance degree that Simeon completed is highly respected by local and national employers, as well as achieving student satisfaction of 90 percent.”

Anthony adds. “Simeon chose to study credit management alongside a hundred of his peers from a range of degree programmes offered by the Bristol Business School.

“The credit management programmes continues to flourish at the Bristol Business School, with many opting for a placement year to gain valuable work experience.”

During their second year, students have the opportunity to study trade and consumer credit assessment and management, with a selected final year module covering aspects of sovereign and banking risk.’’

“Following completion of their second year, students have the opportunity to complete a year-long industrial placement with local, national and international employers. These placements give students an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of daily life in their chosen career. Businesses benefit from a valuable employee for the year, with many being offered graduate positions when they have completed their degrees,” Anthony concludes.

Currently 200 Bristol Business School students complete a placement each year and the university is keen to recruit more credit management departments that could offer work experience. If your organisation would be interested in recruiting students for an industrial placement or as a graduate, please contact careers@uwe.ac.uk.

Honorary Degree awarded to Gillian Camm for commitment to UWE Bristol

Faculty of Business and Law | 7 July 2017

Gillian Camm is to be awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University (Hon DUniv) by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) in recognition of her commitment and contribution to the University in the role of UWE Bristol Chair of the Board of Governors.

Gillian is Chair of the Board of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education and Senior Independent Director of Wessex Water.

Gillian has held non-executive positions in a variety of organisations including in the Home Office, the General Medical Council and the law firm Capsticks. Her last executive position was a Board director of Clerical Medical Investment Group. Prior to that she was a partner in Hay Management Consultants where she developed a substantial South West office.

Gillian is a member of the Society of Merchant Venturers and the Honourable Gloucestershire Company and holds the position of the Deputy Lieutenant for Gloucestershire. She is also a Vice President of Quartet Community Foundation.

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University (Hon DUniv) will be conferred on Gillian Camm at the Degree Ceremony of the Faculty of Business and Law at Bristol Cathedral on Wednesday 12 July at 17:00.

Entrepreneur Luke Johnson to be awarded Honorary Degree

Faculty of Business and Law | 6 July 2017

Luke Johnson is to be awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (HON DBA) by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) in recognition of his service to entrepreneurship.

Luke Johnson is a leading figure in private equity and the restaurant industry and the pioneer behind several instantly recognisable high-street brands.

An Oxford medical graduate, he began his career as a media analyst at Grieveson Grant, before being appointed as Chairman of PizzaExpress PLC in 1993. The business grew from 12 to over 150 restaurants during his tenure.

In 1999, he started Signature Restaurants, which owned The Ivy, Le Caprice and the Belgo chain, before establishing the Strada restaurant concept. The total proceeds from these two disposals were in excess of £90 million.

Luke is the Chairman of Risk Capital Partners, a private equity firm he co-founded in 2001, as well as Chairman and part owner of Gail’s bakeries, Neilson Active Holidays and Patisserie Holdings PLC.

He also serves on the board of Brompton Bicycles and is chairman of the Gaucho restaurant business. He also chairs Brighton Pier Group PLC. He was appointed Chairman of StartUp Britain in 2012 and, a year later, he created a think tank called The Centre for Entrepreneurs.

During his time as the Chairman of Channel 4 Television (2004 – 2010) the organisation enjoyed record ratings and revenues. He has also previously served as Chairman of the Royal Society of Arts and as a Governor of the University of the Arts. As well as being the Chairman of the Institute of Cancer Research and the Almeida Theatre, Luke writes weekly for The Sunday Times, and, until 2015, he contributed a weekly column to The Financial Times for seven years.

Commenting on his award Luke said, “I am very grateful to UWE Bristol for this honour. Every effort all of us can make to encourage more entrepreneurs matters. They generate new companies, jobs, innovation, tax and exports. Entrepreneurs are the future, and the more of them there are, then the better off we will all be.”

The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (HON DBA) will be conferred at the Awards Ceremony of the Faculty of Business and Law at Bristol Cathedral on Wednesday 12 July at 14:00.

Stephen Robertson awarded Honorary Degree for contribution to Bristol Business

Faculty of Business and Law | 6 July 2017

Stephen Robertson is to be awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (HON DBA) by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) in recognition of his contribution to Bristol Business and academic business engagement.

Stephen Robertson is Chairman of Retail Economics (bespoke research consultancy), Non-Executive Director: Timpson Group (privately held services retailer), Hargreaves Lansdown plc (FTSE 100 consumer financial services), Sofology (furniture retailer) and Clipper Logistics plc.

Stephen is a Visiting Professor at Bristol Business School at UWE Bristol.

Stephen’s career started in marketing roles in fmcg businesses – Unilever, Alberto Culver, Mars Inc, Mattel – before serving on the boards of major UK retailers.

Stephen spent seven years as Marketing Director at B&Q before leading the acquisition of Screwfix Direct which he then chaired through a period of strong growth. He went on to become Director of Communications at Kingfisher plc and took the helm of the Ellen MacArthur sponsorship programme. Subsequently, he served on the boards of WHSmith and Woolworths.

Stephen was Director General of British Retail Consortium for five years to the end of 2012. The BRC represents UK retail, large and small, lobbying governments and near-government organisations, as well as producing key retail data. Through this role Stephen appeared frequently on TV, radio and press to discuss business issues.

Previously he was a non-executive board member at National Portrait Gallery Company, Fresca Group (fresh produce supplier) and Chairman, Business West and West of England LEP.

He is a fellow, and former chairman, of the Marketing Society, a fellow of Royal Society of Arts, a fellow of Chartered Management Institute and a member Emeritus of the Marketing Group of Great Britain.

Stephen Robertson said, “It is both a pleasure and an honour to receive this recognition from the respected and innovative Bristol Business School.”

Stephen lives with his wife, Sue (who is the elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset Constabulary), in North Somerset.

The Honorary Degree will be conferred at the Awards Ceremony of the Faculty of Business and Law on Thursday 13 July at 17:00 at Bristol Cathedral.

UWE’s Distinguished Address series prepares to receive 100th guest speaker

Faculty of Business and Law | 30 June 2017

Adapted from South West Business article written by David Clensy.

The Bristol Distinguished Address Series (BDAS) will receive its 100th guest speaker when the series restarts this Autumn.

The BDAS events will now take place in UWE Bristol’s new £55million Bristol Business School building.

Karen Blackett OBE, chairwoman of MediaCom, will be the 100th speaker on December 6, after the talks kick off on October 11 with a talk by Sacha Romanovitch (CEO of Grant Thornton).

Since 2008, highly prestigious speakers have captivated audiences attending the BDAS events at UWE Bristol. Eminent lecturers have so far included Lord Karan Bilimoria (chairman, Cobra beer), who spoke about boldness in business, Michael Ward (managing director, Harrods) on the luxury industry and its challenges, and Baroness Dido Harding (chief executive, TalkTalk) on how Britain can lead in the digital revolution. Many other high-profile names from the business world also feature on the list of previous speakers.

The lectures are free to attend, open to everyone and last about an hour with opportunities to meet the speaker afterwards, and to network. The talks provide a rare opportunity for attendees to hear about the challenges, issues and decisions made at the highest level of leadership.

For the full article please see here.

For more information on the BDAS events please see here.