Pulse Issue 6

PULSE News and opinion from Liverpool Hope Business School September 2019 | Issue 6

Liverpool Hope Business School joins global elite

GRADUATION 2019

TOP OF THE CLASS

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Celebrating tomorrow’s leaders

Successful students awarded placements

Working with Liverpool Chamber

News and opinion from Liverpool Hope Business School September 2019 | Issue 6

WELCOME TO PULSE Celebrations have been plentiful as we mark the end of another successful year and look forward to welcoming the newest members of the student body.

NEWS IN BRIEF Business School welcomes new Head

With first years arriving on campus in the coming weeks, it seems a fitting time to reflect on the exciting strides the Business School has made in recent months.

We’re proud to have been awarded AACSB accreditation, joining the ranks of some of the world’s best Business Schools. You can read more about what this recognition means for the School on page 3. We’re also celebrating the news that our Marketing programmes are now CIM accredited (page 4).

Graduation is always a wonderful time on campus, as we take stock of our students’ successes and toast to the next chapter. We hear from the Class of 2019 on pages 6 and 7, as they look back on their time at Hope.

The future also looks bright for our current students, with unique placement opportunities presented at the annual Insight to Business Awards (pages 8 - 9), and a potentially life-changing business investment offered to successful Young Enterprise student company Sweet Sips (page 5).

In the coming year, I’m sure we’ll see the Business School and our students continue to go from strength-to-strength.

Revd Tony Bradley Professional Tutor in Business

IN THIS ISSUE 3

Business School receives top award

6

Graduation celebrations

4

Celebrating leaders

8

Placement awards

5

Investment for student company

10

Business spotlight

2 | PULSE Magazine

Over the summer, the Business School said a fond farewell to its Head - Professor Ian Vandewalle.

Having spent 30 years at Liverpool Hope, Professor Vandewalle retired from his post as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Operations), Everton Chair of Social Responsibility and Dean of Arts and Humanities.

Associate Professor Rebecca Chandy, who joined Liverpool Hope towards the end of 2018, is now leading the Business School as the new Head.

Having been a part of the School’s successes in the past 12 months, Associate Professor Chandy is looking forward to seeing it continue to go from strength-to-strength.

SPOTLIGHT

Top accreditation for Business School

AACSB International recognises the Business School’s focus on excellence.

Liverpool Hope University’s Business School has earned accreditation from a globally renowned US business organisation.

“We are proud to join this illustrious global network of AACSB-accredited business schools,” said Liverpool Hope’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerald Pillay.

AACSB International is the longest-serving accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting students, educators, and businesses worldwide.

“AACSB’s pursuit of excellence and ever-improving standards resonates with our educational philosophy to make a difference for good in the world.”

Its accreditation is so difficult to attain, that only five per cent of institutions across the world offering business degrees at the bachelor’s level or higher have earned it.

“AACSB accreditation recognises institutions that have demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curriculum development, and student learning,” said Stephanie M. Bryant, Chief Accreditation Officer of AACSB International.

“We congratulate Liverpool Hope University on earning accreditation, and applaud the entire Business School team - including the administration, faculty, staff, and students - for their roles in earning this respected honour.”

AACSB accreditation inspires new ways of thinking within business education. Today, 856 institutions across 56 countries and territories maintain AACSB accreditation.

Accredited schools have successfully undergone a rigorous review process conducted by their peers in the business education community.

It ensures that they have the resources, credentials, and commitment needed to provide students with a first-rate, future-focused business education.

“Liverpool Hope University’s commitment to earning accreditation is a true reflection of their dedication not only to their students, alumni network, and greater business community, but to the higher education industry as a whole,” said Bryant.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s business leaders, and the addition of Liverpool Hope Business School to the network of AACSB-accredited business schools will have a lasting positive impact for their institution, both locally and globally.”

PULSE Magazine | 3

HIGHLIGHTS

Liverpool’s shining stars

CIM accreditation for Marketing programmes

Liverpool Hope Business School’s Marketing programmes are now CIM accredited. The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the world’s largest organisation for professional marketers.

It plays a key role in setting industry standards, training, and also offers accredited, practice-based qualifications from introductory to advanced level.

Awards night celebrates Liverpool’s inspirational leaders.

The Business School celebrated the second Liverpool Hope & Leaders Club Awards at a special awards night in May. Exceptional leaders from businesses, organisations and charities across the Liverpool City Region were honoured at an evening of celebration.

Winners were chosen from seven different categories and judges were looking for leaders who demonstrated some or all of the key leadership values of; integrity, courage, empathy, competency, communication and co-operation, and who can show their impact in their chosen field and the Liverpool City Region.

Speaking on the night, former Head of Liverpool Hope Business School Professor Ian Vandewalle said the awards “highlight the way that our businesses, charities and educational institutions are having a national and international impact”.

“At Liverpool Hope Business School, we are teaching students who will be the future leaders in these sectors,” he said. “The Liverpool Hope & Leaders Club Awards are an opportunity for the students to see the impact that exceptional leadership has.”

See the full list of winners at www.hope.ac.uk/news/allnews/winnersof-the-2019-liverpool-hope-and-the-leaders-club-awards-announced

4 | PULSE Magazine

Senior Professional Tutor and Marketing Leader Ian McKenna said: “We are delighted to have gained accreditation from CIM. This validates the relevance and currency of our degree programmes and recognises both the academic and professional rigour of our curricula.

“Marketing students will benefit from a wide range of resources and support, both while on course at the Business School and as they begin their careers, including exemptions from the institute’s professional qualifications framework. We look forward to working with CIM in the coming years to ensure that Hope’s Marketing programmes and graduates are recognised as industry leaders.”

The Business School at Liverpool Hope is constantly evolving and pursuing new ways to create the ideal environment for our students.

CIM accreditation is one of many steps taken this year to better support our students during their studies and, more importantly, as they launch their graduate careers.

HIGHLIGHTS

Embracing the green revolution A new research group has been formed to chart the rise of green business in Europe.

In an age of increasing peril for the planet and life on Earth, business and productive economies have a vital role to play in counteracting some of humanity’s most pressing issues. These relate to anthropogenic climate change, the rapid destruction of ecosystem services and natural capital, together with the blight of environmental pollution, not least in respect of ocean plastics.

For decades, business has been, primarily, seen as a major source of these problems. But, increasingly, in the ‘fifth wave’ of the environmental social movement, industries - at both corporate and SME levels - are becoming necessary parts of the solution.

Through Liverpool Hope Business School, a new Greening Markets Research Group (GMRG) has been introduced to further develop research by tutors Tony Bradley and Curtis Ziniel into these areas.

Working with colleagues across the University and beyond, the Group will look at the spread of greening

markets in the UK and Europe. Early published research focused on the association of greening businesses and political change, alongside the impact of radical environmental action on the distribution of green businesses.

In the next phase, the GMRG will be mapping the capacity of localities to support greening markets, together with some of the macroeconomic and social movement factors most influencing these changes.

Previous publications: Bradley, T. & Ziniel, C. 2017. Green Governance? Local politics and ethical businesses in Great Britain. Business Ethics: A European Review, 26, 1, 18-30. January.

Ziniel, C. & Bradley, T. 2018. Greening British Businesses: SMEs and the New Wave of the Environmental Social Movement. International Journal of Social Quality, 8, 2, 1-26. Winter.

Sponsorship success Sponsorship deal for Young Enterprise business Sweet Sips.

In the 2019 competition, Sweet Sips business – which offers an alternative to plastic straws - won the National Sustainable Business Award and came runners up overall, in competition with 150 other student-led businesses from across the UK. They were immediately offered a sponsorship deal to help with their intellectual property progression, by the leading multinational office supplies company Lyreco.

The organisation, which is one of the country’s leading sustainability champions, is also helping Sweet Sips find a route to manufacture through a top confectionary business.

All second year Business Management students take part in a competitive business programme through Young Enterprise. For the second year running, one of our teams has won an award at the National Finals.

Things continue to look bright for Sweet Sips’ future - all because they seized the Young Enterprise opportunity to ‘suck it and see’!

PULSE Magazine | 5

CLASS OF 2019

Celebrating success The Class of 2019 toasted the end of their studies at three days of Graduation celebrations. We caught up with some of our proud graduates, as they prepared to embark on their careers.

Robyn Harrison-Reid, Business Management My experience was the complete opposite to what I imagined, I came to do my degree thinking it was just a stepping stone to my career, but the course was insightful and inspired my future in so many ways. The staff more than anything made it what it was, they were passionate which made me passionate about my impending success.

The support was incredible, I genuinely believe I couldn’t have got through my degree without them. Whether it’s on an academic platform or an emotional one, they cater to every personal need throughout your journey.

To choose one highlight of my time at Hope would be too difficult, because there are so many - from academic achievement to meeting lifelong friends. My greatest achievement was producing a dissertation based upon a

topic I was strongly passionate about and something that will definitely inspire my future endeavours. I was proud to create this piece and then achieve the best grade I could ask for. In addition, I was awarded the highestperforming student in Business Management single honours.

The aspect I enjoyed most about the course, as nerdy as it sounds, was the presentations that we had to make and present to the class twice a year. It helped me develop a skill I already loved and helped me gain grades that I wanted.

After graduation, I plan to embark on a graduate scheme with a Liverpool-based organisation to further my knowledge and training in business strategy and development. Eventually, I would like to build my own company and work towards being a recognised figure in women’s empowerment in the field of business.

Chloe Kilbride, Accounting & Finance and English Language I hadn’t studied Accountancy prior to taking it as part of my course, so I didn’t know what to expect. Before university I didn’t realise how broad Accountancy is, and how many subcategories there are within the subject. The different categories/ modules revealed the different aspects that combine into the umbrella term of Accountancy, and made the course more varied and enjoyable.

I’d say there have been two highlights of my time, one without a doubt is meeting my friends on my course, as

6 | PULSE Magazine

my experience wouldn’t be the same without them! You can study a course anywhere, but it’s the people who make it fun and enjoyable. The other is not only being nominated, but also receiving two placements at the Insight to Business Awards this year.

My greatest achievement while at Hope, was opening the email on results day and finding out I had gotten a First.

I’d spent my summer convincing both my family and I that I had failed the year - it was a pleasant surprise to say the least!

Currently I have a few potential jobs lined up, covering many different bases. I think I may take a break from studying and get some professional experience, however I’m not yet ruling out a Masters - or even eventually a PhD. My options are still very open!

CLASS OF 2019

Agata Stefanowska, Accounting and Finance The first thing that caught my eye about Hope was the beautiful campus, but more importantly, I liked the fact that Hope is a small university with a good student-tutor ratio.

This results in a friendly, helpful environment and high student satisfaction rate.

My expectations were not only met, but exceeded. I didn’t expect to receive the amount of support that was offered to me throughout my studies. I was pleasantly surprised by how much student feedback was taken under consideration, and how quickly the staff reacted to satisfy our requests and suggestions. Our cooperation resulted in an improved experience and helped me to achieve my targets.

The University made me feel prepared for pursuing employment, by providing me with an opportunity to undertake a mock interview, organising CV-writing classes and offering 1:1 sessions with Career Advisors from the Employability Hub. A highlight has to be receiving a Business School Award, which showcased my hard work and dedication to my studies. My efforts were recognised by my tutors and I was also nominated for an Insight to Business Award.

Consequently, I was offered a placement.

I enjoyed the variety of content on my course, and also the fact that my course was accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), which means I am entitled to exemptions from 9 ACCA exams and I’m closer to become a fully qualified accountant. I plan to continue with my ACCA qualification and become a Chartered Accountant, hopefully working for a large, international Accounting firm.

Andrew Robertson, Business Management and Marketing I initially chose Liverpool Hope because of its unique course combinations that no other universities offered. I originally started a Business Management and Sport & Physical Education degree, as an extension to my early personal training career.

However, after just a week, I realised the business curriculum would benefit me more than sport, as a result of the experience I already had. I decided to change my degree to Business Management and Marketing.

My expectations prior to attending university consisted of a good student life, competent lecturers, internships and business opportunities, and an increased network.

Of which, I received all. Halls situated on campus made for an incredible student life, the small class sizes increased the lecturers’ autonomy to educate you past the restraints of the curriculum, and business dinners and events gave me the opportunity to network.

Guest lectures from the likes of Everton FC were some of the best lectures I have ever had. The way the Business School connected the academic theory and then supplemented this with guest lectures from

businesses who were actually putting this theory in to practice, was sublime and incredibly informative.

I really enjoyed the integrated curriculum. There were some topics that I personally found uninteresting, but it was these topics that I learnt the most from and would be able to practically apply in the real world. As a result, I loved the integrated curriculum as it forced me to expand from my comfort zone and held me accountable to learning new areas of business and marketing.

The support from my tutors was exceptional. I’ve heard from friends who attended other universities, that it’s often archetypal of lecturers to reply in weeks, and often the replies are very short and abrupt. However, at Liverpool Hope, I often got a response from tutors on the same day, sometimes even arranging a meeting for later that day.

I have just received a job at Fresh Thinking Capital in Leeds. They are a company who provide alternative financing to small businesses, and who also provide lending and financial structuring advice. My role will be an investment portfolio assistant, but I will also be working with an outsourced marketing company to create marketing material and strategies. My dream job is small business consultancy, so I couldn’t have asked for a better role coming straight out of university.

PULSE Magazine | 7

2019 INSIGHT TO BUSINESS AWARDS

Top students celebrated

Professional placements were up for grabs at the 2019 Insight to Business Awards.

The Insight to Business Awards was held again in 2019, and this year was bigger and better than ever. As well as welcoming 45 students, we were joined by 12 sponsor companies and dozens of guests for a very special awards dinner.

Talking about Marketing Liverpool’s experience of the Awards, the company’s Peter Smith said: “We’re delighted to be involved again this year. I know it’s easy to say, but we could have employed any of the four students we interviewed.”

Every year, companies sponsor the Awards in the form of offering successful students a professional placement.

Liverpool Hope Business School staff nominate second and third years, who are asked to submit their CVs in the hope of being invited to professional interviews. The sponsor companies select their winner based on all-round performance in the nomination and interview process.

Bringing the evening’s celebrations to an inspirational close was Olympic Medallist and Entrepreneur Steve Parry. The athlete grew up near to Liverpool Hope University, and talked about resilience and determination through the story of his Olympic success.

The Awards night was filled with wonderful success stories from previous years, and nominees didn’t stop impressing at the interviews. In addition to the 20 awards planned, an extra three placements were handed out on the evening to students who networked with employers and created opportunities for themselves.

8 | PULSE Magazine

He said: “I know you can achieve anything you want to as long as you decide there are no boundaries on the accomplishments that you can make. The best thing about tonight is seeing the potential in this room.”

The night would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. If you are interested in getting involved next year, please email businessschool@hope.ac.uk.

2019 INSIGHT TO BUSINESS AWARDS Hannah Houghton, third year Business Management & Marketing

monitoring the client’s social media. I was given the responsibility of drafting and scheduling the weekly tweets for a number of clients. I also spent some time sourcing ‘hot topics’ for clients and Active Profile alike.

The Innovation and Growth Marketing teams introduced me to how an integrated comms account works. I attended client meetings, drafted news articles for clients’ websites and came up with event ideas.

My internship with Active Profile has given me the incredible opportunity to work closely with all three specialist teams in the company – Place, Innovation and Growth Marketing – trying my hand at everything from social media management, to attending client meetings and even drafting press releases.

My first day When I stepped through the doors of Active Profile, I was met with a bunch of friendly faces who were keen to get to know me and find out what I wanted to get out of my time at Active Profile. This surprised me, due to tales of companies often giving interns little responsibility and restricted to making the teas and coffees. I was over the moon when they gave me the responsibility of getting involved with real client work.

Learning on the job The Place team in particular gave me a lot of responsibility. I’d expressed my interest in social media and wanted to get to know how to use some of the software, such as Hootsuite for scheduling and

I also worked on a competitor analysis project for Active Profile’s social media accounts, writing up suggestions based on what similar companies are doing and recommendations on how we could take learnings to drive traffic and engagement. From this, I made a calendar to coincide with days to celebrate in the office and made recommendations on how to use them on social media.

What I enjoyed most One of the things I found most interesting during my time at Active Profile was being able to join meetings and observe the dynamics of how the team worked, which was especially interesting when they involved external partners or clients. This was really eye opening to me, as I had never been part of a professional meeting before.

As I’d expressed an interest in social media, I really enjoyed getting to wrap my head around the different scheduling systems and learning how to tailor different posts to different media outlets, audiences and businesses.

The whole team created a warm and welcoming environment that made my time with them fly by and I enjoyed getting to know them. After I graduate next year, I hope to build my own start-up company within the hospitality industry. You never know, I may end up back at Active Profile as a client one day!

Thank you to our sponsors

PULSE Magazine | 9

IN PROFILE

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Paul Cherpeau, Chief Executive of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce CIC Group, talks about the Chamber’s unique partnership with the University.

The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce is a business organisation with more than 770 member organisations. We seek to recognise and celebrate outstanding talent in our city, particularly those who will become the business leaders of the future, driving commercial success as well as creating an economic city region.

Liverpool Hope is a Strategic Partner of the Chamber and we have the privilege of working with the University to build the leaders of tomorrow. Liverpool Hope Business School recognises the impact that genuine engagement with business can have on their students, reflected in initiatives such as the annual Insight to Business Awards where companies are matched to high-performing students for a summer placement. The Chamber has sponsored the awards for years, along 10 | PULSE Magazine

with many other programmes at Hope, and it is always a delight to see the talent and potential of the students in our city.

At the Chamber, I consistently hear from businesses of all sizes that they have a desire to share their experience and reach out to young people. Our goal is to enable businesses to contribute to their own sustainable future by participating and supporting activities and initiatives that are designed to enhance the aspirations and calibre of our young people.

Working together, we have the opportunity to stimulate the next generation of talent, harness that potential and make the city region the place that both employers and employees want to be. I hope you will join us on what will be an exciting journey.

THE BUSINESS SCHOOL

ABOUT US: LIVERPOOL HOPE BUSINESS SCHOOL have run successful businesses. This means the School is highly qualified at an academic, professional and experiential level, to engage in research that connects with the business sector.

With strong links to a range of leading local and national companies, professional bodies and organisations, and a range of innovative ethical and social enterprises, the School has a reputation for developing students with sound theoretical principles and a thorough understanding of contemporary business practices.

The Business School curriculum is cuttingedge with all teaching research-informed and delivered by staff with both professional and practical backgrounds. A high number of staff have PhDs, while three members of the School

The School is organised into three teaching and research clusters; Accounting and Finance, Business Management, and Marketing. Guest lecturers and practitioner input allows students the opportunity to visit companies, study abroad and work via Young Enterprise to develop and run their own business.

WHO WE WORK WITH:

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CLUB

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CLUB

PULSE Magazine | 11

To find out more please visit: www.hope.ac.uk/businessschool

Pulse is published by Liverpool Hope Business School, Hope Park, L16 9JD.

T: 0151 291 3087 E: businessschool@hope.ac.uk

The views expressed in the magazine are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent those of Liverpool Hope University.

LiverpoolHopeUniversity @LiverpoolHopeUK