WLVdialogue July 2009

UNIVERSITY OF

WOLVERHAMPTON

WV W LVdialogue July 2009 | Issue 5 | University of Wolverhampton | www.wlv.ac.uk

FOOTBALL FOCUSED Interview with Wolves boss Jez Moxey

ENTREPRENEURIAL FAST LANE Investing in student businesses

FROM WORK STATION TO PLAYSTATION New launch by University

Wec elcome W July 2009 | Issue 5 | University of Wolverhampton | www.wlv.ac.uk elcome to the July issue of WLVdialogue.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ promotion to the Premier League has given the city a real boost. The University enjoys a strong working relationship with the club and is delighted by their recent triumph. In a four page special on Wolves, experts take a look at the potential impact of their success and we interview Chief Executive Jez Moxey.

With property prices rarely out of the headlines, Professor David Proverbs, Head of our Construction and Infrastructure Department, provides some insight into the market. He discusses how his staff work closely with industry professionals and outlines the career opportunities available.

The University’s new Institute of Gaming and Animation is now up and running, with Director Stuart Slater looking forward to developing what is already a thriving area.

Find out more on pages 16 and 17.

We also have an article on the successful Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education West Midlands (SPEED WM) initiative. The three-year programme offers students the opportunity to start up and run their own business and we have some truly inspiring examples on pages 20 and 21.

The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Geoff Hurd, is retiring in August after an exceptional career with the University spanning 36 years. He recounts his experiences on pages 22 and 23.

Elsewhere, we have an interview with

Professor Jim Waddington, a former police officer and internationally-renowned researcher who is Director of our History and Governance Research Institute.

His experiences of crowd control were instrumental in the development of the controversial ‘kettling’ tactic.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue.

Feedback from our readers is very important to us and this month’s edition includes a questionnaire to help us gain more insight.

We would be very grateful if you could take the time to fill this in. All completed forms will go into a prize draw to win an iPod Nano.

You are also welcome to email your views to dialogue@wlv.ac.uk.

Best wishes Emma Kilvert, Editor

contents NEWS New gold for the city of Wolves?

A look at how the football team’s promotion to the premiership will impact on Wolverhampton

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Football Focused Exclusive interview with Jez Moxey, Chief Executive of Wolverhampton Wanderers

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Volunteers step forward Student volunteers working for their community

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Solid future foundations Signs of hope for the construction industry

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Wolves feast

RESEARCH The curious behaviour of the human mind Professor Ken Manktelow explains the psychology of decision making

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You’re hired How different personalities in the boardroom can lead to success or failure

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PROFILE Former PC is influential Professor Interview with policing expert Professor Jim Waddington

Professor Jim Waddington

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FEATURE From work station to PlayStation University launches exciting new Institute of Gaming and Animation

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Horses for aerobics courses Innovative horse training aid developed by University graduate

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BUSINESS Entrepreneurial fast lane SPEED programme supports entrepreneurial students to launch a new business

New Institute

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PEOPLE Educational reflections Q&A with Professor Geoff Hurd, Deputy Vice Chancellor

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Graduate success story Eco entrepreneur Linzi Mistry

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WHAT’S ON GUIDE Events coming up at the University

25 Speed

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old New God H As Wolves enter the Premier League, it might be apt to consider the potential impact of the team’s promotion on the city’s economy.

Historically, team and town have always been inextricably entwined. So can Wolves now help bring riches to the city’s door?

As a PhD student researching the economics of football at the University of Wolverhampton’s Management Research Centre Andrew Jones is a Wolves fan who watches his team closer than most: ”Firstly, if you consider the increase in attendances - especially with the larger travelling support of Premier League teams – it’s feasible to expect an extra 4,500 fans at every home game. If these fans spent an average £10 per head each match day in the city centre, you could see expenditure increasing by around £855,000 over the season.

“The proximity of the stadium to the city centre is an advantage shared by relatively few top flight teams, and this points to a rise in the takings of city pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes, not to mention general shopping activity.

“Also, presuming there’s a local source of consumables sold in and around the ground such as food and drink, as well as merchandise from the club superstore, you could expect benefits to suppliers.

“Not only that, larger volumes of consumption may mean an increase in, as well as the safeguarding of, jobs for sellers. Local hotels

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also stand to profit from the potential needs of bigger away support and the larger entourages of Premier League teams.

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A city with a Premier League team can expect a global exposure which brings new marketing opportunities as well as potential investment from international students who’ll note the proximity of stadium and campus.

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igh times for Wolves fans.

Following one brief – and largely unwelcoming – visit to the Premier party, a new seat at the top table feels good for those who get their tales of Molineux glory from a father’s memory.

“There are also intangible benefits which can indirectly boost the local economy, not least the ‘feel good’ factor of the team’s rise.

“Putting a figure on it, the city could profit to the tune of some £5-10million over the season.”

Stuart Farquhar, a senior lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton Business School agrees that Wolves’ promotion could bring economic advantages for the city, but stresses that a definitive study would be difficult as the impacts are so uncertain, particularly given the current economic situation: “Historically, there are many instances of a football club’s success positively affecting the psychology and, in turn, the productivity of an area – Sunderland’s FA Cup win in 1973 springs to mind - and to some extent this would have translated into economic benefits.

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the city of Wolves?

“It’s also possible that match day car park revenue could increase, and the global reach of the Premier League brings added prestige to the city with the potential to influence inward investment decisions.

“But as well as potential income generation for the city, it’s important to take into account possible costs.

“For example, do increased attendances point to higher policing costs? Would citizens avoid the city centre and go elsewhere if there is a likelihood of larger football crowds? How many away supporters would spend money in the city as opposed to hopping on and off the supporter’s coach at the ground just for the game?

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The key will be Wolves’ ability to sustain success and consolidate their position in the Premier League. If they can maintain momentum, maybe increase the stadium capacity and attract fans to fill it, you might well see economic benefits for the city.

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“In the case of Wolves, there may be direct employment benefits if the club take on more staff to deal with higher attendances.

This extra employment would give these people income they may spend in the city, with potential local multiplier effects.

“The difficulty in arriving at any quantifiable answer is that there are so many factors difficult to pin down.

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Success breeds success, then. And, who knows, it could be that an extended period of prosperity on the pitch could usher in advantages even for city dwellers with little interest in the team.

At the very least, those who do follow the Wolves will have golden tales to tell their own children.

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Focused

Wolves’ Premier League promotion has seen celebrations reverberate across the city. We talked to Chief Executive Jez Moxey about the effect the team’s success will have on the region and beyond.

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hile Wolves fans are still celebrating their team’s elevation to top flight status, Chief Executive Jez Moxey is firmly focused on securing their place there in the future.

estimating the economic benefits could bring an extra £10 million to the city.

For him, promotion has come a year earlier than he had originally hoped for in a planned evolution which started three years ago with the appointment of manager Mick McCarthy.

Mr Moxey says: “I agree that it will bring millions to the city and do a lot more besides.

This is not just going to have a significant economic impact on the area, but will also have far-reaching benefits from a profile and feel good factor standpoint. I think that will have as much of an impact as the economic benefits.

“To have won promotion to Premiership by a fair margin is a remarkable achievement,” he says.

“People just feel really happy that the club is being successful; it’s something for the area to be proud of and talk about positively.

“For us to be able to talk of Wolves as being back in the best professional football league in the world is really positive for everybody.

“The local community should do everything it can to support its football club because it can bring all kinds of benefits to the area.”

“I feel very good about the fact our plan has come together and we’re now working to reinvent the team as a premiership football side that has the ability to compete at this high level.

As close neighbours, the University enjoys a good working partnership with Wolves and dad-of-four Mr Moxey believes higher education is an investment that will pay off for young people.

“Of course, there were big celebrations when we went up but now there’s the realisation that while it’s a fabulous achievement for the club, city and all our stakeholders, the task at hand is huge. We are going about that with great gusto and will be looking for more experience to complement our young, hungry players.”

Their success is set to have far-reaching benefits in the region and beyond, with University of Wolverhampton analysts

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Education is so essential.

We have a responsibility as parents to highlight the importance of education to our children. In these economic times it is even more important for people

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to continue with their education to give themselves the best opportunities.

Mr Moxey emphasises the importance of close working relationships which are mutually beneficial and have a positive impact on the wider community.

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The kind of partnerships we have with organisations like the University are essential in today’s modern world, he says.

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“We work together to do what we can to improve people’s lives. Our roles co-exist and I think the University will benefit enormously from our successes. I think it will genuinely have a positive impact on admissions. Being next door to a Premier League football club is a big selling point.

Our matches will be shown in over 200 countries, raising international awareness of the Club and the city of Wolverhampton as a whole. Having Wolves shown across the world will influence the work the University does with international recruitment.”

Wolves already has fans all over the world because of its hugely successful history and Mr Moxey also believes there are opportunities to attract new supporters, and renew interest from latent followers.

He has visited a number of countries through his role and will soon by flying to Perth for pre-season training.

After a visit to South Africa, he was so touched by what he saw and the hospitality he received that on a return trip he took Wolves kits and gave them to local schools.

A visit to India last year forged links with the Punjab. Both the University and Wolves are partners of the Wolverhampton India Project.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Caroline Gipps and Mr Moxey were among a high-profile delegation who visited the Punjab to promote links between the region and the city. Agreements were signed with partnership organisations as a commitment to working together in the future. While international links are vital, Wolves are aware that most fans are indigenous and the club is committed to putting something back into the local community. The club runs an enormous range of outreach programmes through Wolves Community Trust and its football in the community department.

Wolves also gives away more money to worthy causes than any other football club in the country, including a six-figure sum to local causes, through the Wolves Community Trust and Club owner Steve Morgan donates a seven figure sum each year via his own Morgan Foundation.

Last month saw the first workshops held for a pioneering new business initiative at Molineux. Wolves are supporting the University to help create a new generation of UK graduate sports entrepreneurs.

Working with FlyingStart Programmes at the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship, the development scheme for sports-related businesses and social enterprises is the first of its kind in the UK. Karen Bill, Associate Dean (Research and Income Generation) at the University’s School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure was thrilled to get Wolves’ support.

The programme will help participants develop and condition their enterprise proposition and to provide support, assistance and mentoring to get their business started and running successfully

by March 2010.

They will receive their own personal mentor who will work with candidates throughout the 12 month start-up and launch period.

“Entrepreneurialism is exactly what we like and we’re really pleased to be supporting this scheme, particularly in the current climate,” says Mr Moxey. With his strong business ethos and professional success, it is exactly the kind of initiative he is happy to support. His drive and commitment helped Wolves to secure new sponsorship at a time when other clubs were struggling to do so.

“Sportingbet.com agreed to the partnership

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with Wolves in the New Year when they didn’t know whether we’d be in the Premier League. They made a commitment to a Championship club and it was remarkable that we were able to do that during the height of the recession.”

He has been at Wolves for nine years now, and has been in football for 22 years.

He admits that he is always striving for perfection and constantly driven. A successful six-year stint at Stoke City saw him lead the Britannia Stadium development and he would like to see a redevelopment of Molineux in the future.

“I think we could potentially see the ground increase capacity and improve facilities for supporters. We’re currently in dialogue with our stakeholders. It’s vitally important to have buy-in from everybody, we understand the importance of close relationships and value the partnerships we have in and around the city.”

He would also be happy to stage more live concerts at the ground in the future, following on from a high-profile Bon Jovi gig in 2003.

But for now, the focus is firmly on the football.

“Everyone understands how tough it will be but we have to be confident. It’s not a bad thing psychologically to be talking about being competitive, not just about surviving.

“If we shoot for the stars we might reach the sky.”

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step forward

Volunteering Factbox • 354 University of Wolverhampton students registered for the volunteering certificate in 2008-09.

This includes volunteering completed within the community or via the Students’ Union • 123 Voluntary/Community organisations are registered with Active Volunteers • There are over 470 volunteering opportunities available. Some opportunities have multiple vacancies • 12,048 total volunteering hours completed to date, in 2008-09 • Value of volunteering = £153,853 (source Volunteering England annual survey of hours and earnings - £12.77)

Volunteering is a popular activity for students at the University of Wolverhampton, with hundreds signing up to offer their time every year. To mark this dedication, Active Volunteers has launched a new Volunteer of the Year award to recognise the achievements of students. t is the illusive thing that all job hunters seek – that special something to make your CV stand out amongst a sea of others, all striving for the same goal. It may sound obvious, but volunteering has become a valuable asset to students looking to boost their credentials and make the transition into the world of work. Not only that, it opens up new avenues of experience and allows students to network within the community in which they live.

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There is a wealth of opportunities for willing volunteers at the University of Wolverhampton.

More than 120 voluntary and community organisations are registered with Active Volunteers, which co-ordinates activities and is the first port of call for students wishing to give their time. Students can volunteer helping young children in education, work with people with disabilities and even help out in a museum or art gallery. They can turn their hands to environmental projects and delve into film archives. Whatever their interest, it is likely that Active Volunteers can help.

Pat Green is the Active Volunteers Co-ordinator, and is enthusiastic about the benefits to students and the community.

“Getting active in the community has enormous benefits in itself as the students are able to engage in activities while at University that they would otherwise be unable to get involved with. They can network with community or voluntary

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organisations they would perhaps not know about, which can be an eye opener. It gives students valuable skills and experience that are going to be extremely welcome for employers.”

This year, the University has launched a new Volunteer of the Year Award to recognise the outstanding commitment of students.

The winner of the inaugural award is Jodie McCaughan, a full-time combined degree in Social Care and Criminal Justice student who volunteers with Sandwell Advocacy.

Jodie began as a Citizen Advocacy Case Worker in 2007, and works with designated ‘partners’ who are some of the most vulnerable and at risk members of the community. She is also involved in fundraising, training and committee representation, and even launched a new Citizen Advocacy Interpreting Project, which uses the skills of volunteers who speak a wide range of languages. Her help was clearly appreciated by Sandwell Advocacy, who described her as “compassionate, aware and highly motivated”.

Pat is full of praise for all the students who give up their time to volunteer, and was inspired by their dedication to introduce the award.

“We are very keen to celebrate the achievements of all of our hundreds of volunteers who are engaged in such a variety of activities across the region.

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Quotes from students about volunteering

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It was something I’d never done before and I thought I may just like to try something a bit different

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becoming involved in criminal activity. It is not an easy option but it is the kind of experience you can put on a CV.”

Active Volunteers has been running for seven years, but the University has supported student volunteering for the last 20 years. It began as ‘Student Link’ which enabled students to engage in a research project in the community, and for the community. Wolverhampton was one of the pioneering institutions to work with students on community-based learning programmes, where their volunteering is recognised within the curriculum. This means participating students are able to gain credits towards their degree for the learning they can evidence in a portfolio.

Volunteering has an added benefit of changing perceptions – and the positive change can work both ways.

But who volunteers? There is no one type of person, according to Pat, but there are sometimes misconceptions about volunteering.

“The range is diverse, from people who come from school to University and have never had the opportunity to volunteer, through to mature students who are already committed to volunteering and are delighted to find we value it here.

“Students will sometimes say they used to think volunteering was for fuddy duddies, but now they know better! But it is not an easy ride – some volunteers work with some of the toughest kids in the area or those that have been excluded, or are at risk of

Pat adds: “It is a way of bringing “town and gown” together.

“Students here have their stereotypes and assumptions about people, and these are often exploded and confounded. It is also useful for young children and the elderly to meet students and see what they are really like.”

It almost goes without saying that the organisations benefit from receiving the help of an enthusiastic volunteer, who has chosen to give up their time for free.

Pat estimates that the activities carried out by the 354 students who registered for the Volunteering Certificate this year equates to £153,853. It is the win-win scenario for all involved that makes volunteering such an appealing choice, and one that students will continue to turn towards.

For more information about volunteering, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/activevol.

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We want to recognise the very valuable contribution they make to the community,” she says.

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Volunteering has given me the opportunity to further my basic skills of planning, organising, motivating others, teamwork and communication

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I think it’s really great - it helped me out of the student bubble

I think that these skills are good in general really

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future foundations

he economic recession has seen property prices fall, land values plummet and some construction projects come to a halt as investors exercised caution and looked to save costs and reduce investment risks.

But recent developments are signalling an end to this downward spiral and experts believe there are the first signs of some stability coming back to the economy.

companies to look for new strategies in order to survive. These challenging times have sadly seen some long established businesses fall into bankruptcy.

Professor David Proverbs is Head of the Construction and Infrastructure Department at the University’s School of Engineering and the Built Environment (SEBE).

The University has courses at all levels which benefit those looking to forge a career in the industry and Professor Proverbs believes it is the ideal time for potential students to consider signing up.

He believes that the construction industry has excellent opportunities in the pipeline for those who are forward-thinking.

“As far as house prices are concerned there’s been a slight increase nationwide and more activity in the housing market; we may be seeing the first signs that the worst is no behind us and the economy can begin to recover,” he says.

“We have to be realistic about recovery and the appropriate processes of demand and financial resources need to be in place.

“This recession is far different from those endured in previous eras in that problems have stemmed from a global financial crisis.

In the past companies have looked to internationalise their operations in order to survive such difficult trading conditions – however this recession has forced

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”Nevertheless, there are some encouraging signs. I am aware of some mothballed projects that are now being completed and there seem to be some signs that confidence is returning.”

“It’s still an excellent career move. This time 12 months ago the industry was saying it had a major skills shortage.

Although we have been going through a difficult economic period I suspect within two years there will be increased demand for people with appropriate skills, which will be timely for our graduates.”

A new degree course in real estate management, which looks at managing and valuing residential and commercial property, and new foundation degrees aimed at developing technical level skills are among the career-focused courses on offer. The Department also offers a new BEng in Civil Engineering. Many courses are accredited by key professional bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Institute for Civil Engineers (ICE).

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“There’s a whole spectrum of opportunities,” says Professor Proverbs.

“There is still a huge commitment to investment in developing infrastructure from road networks, to major projects for health and education services.

“Mainstream public sector areas will continue to benefit from development and investment and there is also a commitment to providing new housing across the UK which has to be sustained.”

He believes that being based in the West Midlands provides staff and students with increased opportunities.

“There is a massive regeneration agenda for the region, which we are in a good position to support. This will necessitate expertise in many subjects including design, construction, engineering and refurbishment. We work closely with employers to ensure our courses are meeting their demands.

“We have excellent links with the West Midlands Centre for Constructing Excellence and are actively exploring ways in which the University can support businesses through consultancy and training. Our postgraduate courses are ideal for middle or senior managers who are looking to develop their own careers. Many of our students are sponsored by employers meaning that we provide a significant service to the West Midlands construction industry through courses which are in tune with their needs and informed by latest thinking.

“Our academic staff possess a breadth of industrial experience and knowledge which is extremely important in delivering such vocational and professional courses.”

All the courses offered by the department are informed by research being undertaken by academic staff including fives professors and numerous doctorates and senior researchers.

The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), a peer review exercise to evaluate research for the higher education sector, ranked the University of Wolverhampton as the leading centre for architecture and built environment research in the West Midlands.

Building on this success, members of Professor Proverbs’ team have just secured a project for RICS examining rural property values. They will be looking at issues of affordability; often people who are born in a rural area who want to stay cannot afford to do so. The team will examine what affects rural home prices and how much of an impact the ‘escape to the country’ ideal has had.

This will also link to earlier research carried out regarding flood risks and damages to property, a specialist area for Professor Proverbs, who has presented at international conferences and contributed to a government review on the 2007 summer floods.

“All our staff are research active or participate in employer engagement activities in order to maintain their own currency and keep abreast of developments and to look for future opportunities to grow the curriculum.”

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Staff have expertise in a range of areas including construction project management, legal areas of construction in terms of dispute resolution, procurement and contractual matters, sustainable construction, as well as more technical areas such geotechnics and structures. They frequently advise businesses and have excellent links with companies.

Professor Proverbs is quietly optimistic about the future. “The upturn in the housing market is a positive sign and while we have some challenging times ahead, this is still a very good time to consider studying one of our courses.”

For more information see www.wlv.ac.uk/sebe

Curo rious behaviour of the human mind... n tough economic times, many people will be faced with a difficult choice of whether to spend or save. On the one hand, spending provides an immediate ‘buzz’ of excitement and you are often left with something nice to show for your money. But on the other hand, saving for a rainy day is a sensible thing to do, which could help you pay for emergency repairs or possibly buy something even bigger in the long run. How do people resolve dilemmas such as these?

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Professor Ken Manktelow is a member of the Department of Psychology at the University of Wolverhampton, specialising in thinking and reasoning. He has researched how people resolve dilemmas, which seem even more relevant in the days of tightening purse strings.

“A dilemma is not the same as a choice should I buy a BMW or a Mercedes is not a dilemma, it’s a choice. But should I save my money or buy a car is a dilemma.

“You are faced with conflicting goals – one action is going to take you towards one goal and away from another that is equally valuable to you,” Ken explains.

He goes on to say that with a choice, people can produce an objective answer, for example by comparing one car’s carbon emissions with another. But dilemmas are harder to solve, as there is no objective answer to whether it is better for you to spend or save.

“People are not stuck in dilemmas all the time – we do resolve them, generally by turning one way or another. The way people turn depends on their personality traits, generational differences and their culture.

The resolution of dilemmas is about values.”

Professor Manktelow, who has worked at the University for 17 years, saw the end of the credit bubble coming by analysing human behaviour. He argues that since the deregulation of consumer credit in the 1980s, and particularly in the last 15 years, the British economy has offered people the opportunity to spend without real, hard cash. People were able to pay with a credit card and feel no immediate cost.

“Buying stuff is really nice – you get a surge of endorphins which gives you a buzz.

“People have been able to rack up enormous debt, and houses have been turned into cash machines as you are able to use your home to get further credit. A 125% mortgage is like taking a bet on the future

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value of a house. People are not asked to pay it back, other than the minimum amount, and that is the bubble. I didn’t see the banking collapse coming – but I did predict the end of the credit bubble.

“People are like other animals – if you put something nice in front of them, they will take it,” Ken says.

Theories of decision making suggest that rational people always act in a way to maximise personal gain, and some economic policy is based on that idea.

But in fact, people don’t always act in a way that will simply maximise their own pleasure and success. Ken says a good example of this ‘collectivism’ is the voter’s dilemma, which focuses on why anyone should vote.

“You do not get anything specific for voting and you could argue that one vote is not going to make a difference. If everybody felt like that, no-one would vote at all. But people do as it provides a nicer and more democratic society. Similarly, why don’t people steal? Is it because it is wrong or they might get found out? For some the deterrent is being found out, but for most it is because they have had a moral education.”

Psychology is a popular course at the University’s School of Applied Sciences, with a good employment rate for graduates.

Some students go on to become psychologists, with some focusing on educational, occupational, clinical or counselling psychology, in which the University offers a doctorate. But students also go into other people related professions, as the course offers a very broad education, from what Ken terms ‘white coated science’ through to philosophical debate and statistics.

Ken is currently working on research with his colleague Niall Galbraith about paranormal beliefs. They will be looking at belief bias, which involves giving someone an argument that leads to a certain

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conclusion and asking if people think the argument is valid. For example – All the athletes are healthy; some healthy people are wealthy; therefore some of the athletes are wealthy.

This sounds like a good argument, because the conclusion is believable, but it is logically invalid, as you can see if you change the terms but not the structure of the argument: All the men are healthy; some healthy people are women; therefore some of the men are women. They will investigate if people who have paranormal beliefs are more susceptible to belief bias in general, or just when it is concerning issues surrounding the paranormal such as crop circles, ghosts or fortune telling.

Ken is open-minded about what the new research will show.

For more information about Psychology at the University of Wolverhampton, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/sas

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The way people turn depends on their personality traits, generational differences and their culture. The resolution of dilemmas is about values.

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Professor Manktelow sees the continuing appeal of Psychology to University students as stemming from the fact that it is one of the few academic subjects that really can be a matter of life and death. Psychology focuses on the study of human behaviour and most of the significant issues of the day can be traced to human behaviour, such as the credit crunch, religious wars and even climate change and pandemics. It is perhaps the relevance to today’s most pressing issues that makes Psychology such a fascinating and illuminating subject to study.

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u’rre e hie ired!

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...interview with researcher Alan Walker atching desperate hopefuls battling in the boardroom each week on The Apprentice has been compulsive TV for millions of viewers.

Sir Alan Sugar’s cry of “You’re Fired!” may not quite reflect the reality of businesses across the country but it makes great entertainment.

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There is, however, no doubt that while Sir Alan’s cut-throat approach to choosing the right candidate may be purely for the camera, behind the scenes he is still a tough operator.

Alan has created an innovative approach to collecting research findings by setting up a business consultancy, WalkerGlobal. This will give companies free analysis, which will then be used as part of his research. He will keep the details of participants anonymous.

“The board is like a jigsaw with different directors who fit or don’t fit,” he says.

“I will be looking at different processes and personalities, measured against the output of what the board actually does.”

He will be offering psychometric tests and reporting back to the board on its group personality jigsaw and key areas of:

It’s clear many successful business people will share similar personality traits and different leadership styles have a major impact on company outcomes.

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Now, a new study by University of Wolverhampton PhD student Alan Walker, a Chief Executive with extensive business experience, is set to examine this area further and discover how different personalities can lead to success or failure.

“The board will get an in-depth service and hopefully I will receive some useful findings for my research,” he says.

Alan has 40 years’ experience working in industry in the UK and abroad and has held senior positions on the boards of a number of international listed companies, including a presidential role with a US-based global pharmaceutical business. He is Chairman of a hi-tech company and Chief Executive Officer of an emerging pharmaceutical business and a Chartered Director.

His research, The Effects of Personality Diversity of UK Public Company Directors on Board Processes and Task Performance, will be carried out over the next year. He has come up with a ‘Jigsaw Model’ for personality traits and is now looking for companies to participate.

• Service • Control • Leadership

“There is a consensus that you can’t measure the board by company performance; you also have to consider the management and staff.

“However, the board controls the Top Management Team (TMT). While the final performance of a company depends on more than the directors, the board have the most influence on outcomes because they either approve or set the strategy and are ultimately responsible.

If the board isn’t functioning correctly, the rest of the company won’t function correctly either.”

Alan believes personality traits are very influential on company outcomes. He cites the most high-profile recent example of Sir Fred Goodwin, who presided over the loss of £24.1 billion during his disastrous

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stewardship of Royal Bank of Scotland the biggest loss in British corporate history.

The bank was effectively nationalised in a government-backed bailout and the former chief executive then infuriated customers when he walked away with a £700,000 annual pension.

“Clearly in the Royal Bank of Scotland the non-executive directors failed to do their job.

I want to find out more about these types of roles and their value.”

Alan believes the strong personality of Sir Fred would have had a big role to play and he would have relished the opportunity to use him for his research.

“Much as I would like to analyse his personality traits, I somehow can’t imagine him putting himself forward as a volunteer.”

He expects directors and chief executives to naturally be more serious than average, as well as socially bold, group orientated, self-disciplined and ruthless, and is looking forward to discovering more.

Alan is being supervised by Dr Silke Machold, Reader in Governance and Ethics and part of the University’s Management Research Centre, who has been very encouraging and enthusiastic. He says the support from the University of Wolverhampton Business School has been invaluable.

He initially studied an MSc in Corporate Direction at the University, despite being based just outside Edinburgh in Scotland.

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“Silke encouraged me to undertake a PhD and we are both excited about the potential for the research, which will be the first of its kind.

“It’s very useful for me to have a business background in my approach to this as it gives me more understanding and enables me to relate to the people I need to engage with.”

Alan has undergone psychometric testing himself and is aware of his own strengths and weaknesses.

“It may not be easy to accept your weaknesses but if you’re aware of them you can try to do something about them.

“I don’t think you can change your personality traits but being aware of them is helpful. I do, however, think you can change your emotional intelligence and that can make a real difference.”

“

Many companies suffer from ‘isomorphism’, which is where they have lots of directors with similar personality types.

They may see diversity in terms of gender or ethnicity but the ultimate diversity to aim for is diversity of personality.

“

“

It may not be very convenient in terms of location but I stayed with Wolverhampton because I developed a very high regard for the University’s Business School, he says.

“It is important to have different personalities who will have different approaches and complement each other.

To find out more see www.walkerglobal.com or email info@walkerglobal.com

“I would be looking to produce guidelines about what a company should be looking for and that should be someone who will fit their jigsaw. If they are low on a certain ‘factor’ then they should be looking for someone who has that and find someone who adds to existing strengths.”

For information about the University of Wolverhampton Business School and courses available see www.wlv.ac.uk/uwbs

This new area of research could prove very beneficial to businesses in the future and provide some very interesting insights.

He believes the research could encourage businesses to look at diversity in a different way.

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rmer PCJm Form Jim i din dn ton Waddi ingto T “ ...is influential Professor Despite these, police chiefs say there were relatively few arrests and injuries compared to previous summits.

Professor Jim Waddington, Director of the University’s History and Governance Research Institute (HAGRI), feels the focus has been on these isolated incidents. He is a strong advocate of using ‘boredom rather than fear’ as a principal weapon for crowd control and was instrumental in the establishment of the kettling technique.

While researching public order policing in London, he trained in all levels from shield carrier to command. He was then able to observe how this was carried out in practice. He witnessed first-hand the police dispersal tactics in action during London's violent poll tax riot in March 1990.

What began as a peaceful gathering in Trafalgar Square, including many children, turned into something sinister when a smaller number who had been causing trouble near Downing Street were moved on to Trafalgar Square. Instead of calming things down, the peaceful protestors dispersed and trouble increased.

“

We were left with a crowd of about 3,000 and most of them were confrontational and violent.

I know how to handle myself but I don’t mind admitting that I was scared. What was most frightening was that people were serious about doing damage to police officers; their intentions were very clear and there was no doubting the ferocity of the riot.

“

“

his year’s G20 protests in London brought the spotlight on the ‘kettling’ method used to control disorderly crowds.

Protestors were ‘kettled’, or contained, for several hours and the tactic is now being reviewed in the wake of controversy. Two alleged incidents of police assault, including one implicated in the death of newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson, overshadowed the overall policing of the protests.

The result was more than 500 police officers left with injuries. Professor Waddington sent a memo to the Assistant Commissioner responsible for Territorial Operations at Metropolitan Police to outline his concerns.

“I said I thought the decision to disperse the crowd had been counter-productive and it would have been better to have contained the protestors until they calmed down and could disperse under controlled conditions.”

This struck a chord and was a catalyst to the kettling method. Having set the wheels in motion, Professor Waddington became an academic observer to the development of the technique and saw it put into action during May Day protests in 2000.

‘Guerrilla gardeners’ were planning to dig up the centre of Parliament Square. By fortunate coincidence, new turf had been laid which had not taken sufficiently and was due to be removed. Keeping this knowledge to themselves, police did not stop the protestors from digging. It was only when activities spiralled into defacing the Cenotaph that the kettling method was put into action.

Riot officers shut off exits to contain the protestors and after some time negotiations took place. Arrangements were eventually made to allow them to leave at an agreed time through a guarded route.

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profile

significant role in the recruitment of officers,” says Professor Waddington.

“This was an example of kettling working.

It was all very negotiated and sensible, problems arise when people will not calm down or if it is not carried out proportionally.”

Professor Waddington was a police officer in Birmingham in the 1960s before undertaking research roles. During the 1980s, police using force was a very topical issue; he wanted to carry out research to understand the realities police were faced with.

He joined the University of Wolverhampton in 2006.

Professor Waddington believes students will be well-prepared for the realities of life in the force.

“The media portrayal of policing is all action and excitement but it wasn’t and isn’t like that. The ‘Gene Hunt’ stereotype was a far cry from the reality of policing then or now.

Most crime is nothing like it’s portrayed on TV or in films.

“

“

It has been here that he has achieved one of his ambitions, to set up a BSc in Policing.

“This was an aspiration I’d long held.

My view is that whilst we educate to graduate standard for social work, nursing, law, engineering and accounting, police training tends to be foundation degrees or purely theoretical courses. Policing is a very important occupation and needs to be professionalised.”

West Midlands Police have been enthusiastic backers of the venture and are providing third year work placements.

Graduates will be able to work for any police force in the country after they graduate.

Recruitment for the course, which was launched in September, has exceeded expectations. Plans to achieve 30 students for the second year intake have now been raised to 90, after early targets were exceeded.

“I don’t see why we shouldn’t play a highly

Criminals are overwhelmingly rather sad people.

The people you will see in a custody suite have no hope and no vision.

They may have multiple disadvantages, drug addictions and are often very incompetent. It is very different to what you would imagine.

“

“

I felt there was an opportunity moving to a university which is committed to delivering work-related degrees.

“We send young people out in uniform and ask them to undertake hugely demanding tasks, exercising authority in dealing with all manner of social problems and disorder, from neighbourhood quarrels to domestic violence and abuse.”

“Our course equips students for the reality of policing and dispels the myths. We provide students with a realistic and professional view.

“There are some excellent practical aspects of the course but we certainly don’t pull any academic punches. Cross-working with Schools within the University is proving very beneficial. They are able to learn about mental health issues through the School of

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Health, which is invaluable given that around 80 per cent of those who pass through custody have some form of mental illness.

“The law element of the course involves our students on modules with LLB students from the School of Legal Studies and doesn’t just focus on criminal law. The law is constantly changing, particularly in regard to terrorism and public order.”

These are areas Professor Waddington has much experience of and his expertise is called on nationally and internationally. In the aftermath of the 7/7 London terrorist bombings he was invited by Sir Ian Blair to chair the Metropolitan Police Authority's consultation exercise on 'Policing Terror Together' at Central Hall, Westminster.

He was also part of the Goldstone Commission, appointed to investigate political violence and intimidation that occurred between July 1991 and the 1994 general election that ended apartheid in South Africa. The Commission played a critical role in defusing the political violence that erupted. His latest research will examine public perceptions of police through use of video clips, for which the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has awarded a £98,000 grant.

The work should lead to some interesting findings. And it’s certainly less hazardous than some of his earlier projects.

When training as a firearms officer in order to write a book, he was required to abseil down the outside of buildings and climb into windows, despite having no head for heights. His training could not be undertaken by an academic today because of restrictions on civilian use of the types of guns used by police so he feels fortunate to have received the experiences he has.

“I have had a lot of opportunities and unprecedented access. I’ve been very lucky.”

ion statio Work st

to PlayStation

ertain computer games have an almost fanatical following, with midnight launches and nationwide sell-outs of the latest version. To people not in the know, the titles can seem even more baffling than the frenzy surrounding a new game, ranging from Call of Duty through Wii Fit to Resident Evil. But for those in the business, the people behind these games are some of the most skilled artists and programmers in the computing and animation industries.

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The University of Wolverhampton has a growing reputation in the area of developing games and animation, and is launching a new Institute to build on this success. The Institute of Gaming and Animation (IGA) is an exciting venture which aims to increase student recruitment, expand applied research, develop consultancy and enhance the student experience. A joint initiative between the University’s School of Art & Design and School of Computing and Information Technology, the Institute will enable students to gain access to industry and academic expertise and the latest technological advances in the field.

Stuart Slater is the Director of the new Institute, and is understandably excited about what the future holds.

“We have a proven track record in the area of gaming and animation and aim to build a national presence in this area.”

“We want to demonstrate that the West Midlands can continue to meet the needs of industry through applied research and provide a steady stream of skilled graduates,” he says.

The University has already worked with some of the biggest names in gaming.

A group of students recently won a BAFTA in the ‘Ones to Watch’ category of the GAME British Academy Video Games Awards for their game, Boro Toro. One of the graduates, Adam Westwood, has gone on to work for Rockstar Games,

the company behind Grand Theft Auto.

The University also has links with Data Design Interactive, one of the largest developers of Nintendo Wii Games, and Microsoft. In addition, the University is now a member of the PlayStation Portable (PSP) Academic Development Programme, an exciting scheme which provides access to professional development hardware and software tools for both staff and students, as used by commercial game developers.

Stuart says that the computer games business is a good one to enter, as it is a multi billion pound industry and one that continues to grow. The University has a good employability rate for its students when they graduate, and they leave with a wide range of transferable skills. But Stuart is quick to point out that studying the subject is not about sitting around playing on an X-Box or PlayStation all day.

“The students can study game art or game programming with us, and it is an engaging experience for them. The people who develop games are some of the most driven and enthusiastic students, who are committed to developing, but not necessarily playing, games. Some of them gain first class honours degrees, as areas such as games programming require maths, science and gaming skills.

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“There is a big difference between game playing and games development. We don’t run games playing degrees – we run games development courses in both programming and art. They are demanding courses which attract highly driven students looking for a future career in the games industry.”

The University also supports the social side of gaming, and has an active Computer Gaming Society, which meets weekly, and supports activities such as open days in return for access to the latest gaming technologies.

As well as the triumphant BAFTA winners, knowledgeable staff are able to provide mentoring to student teams in top competitions like Dare to be Digital and the Imagine Cup which have led to national wins. And future higher education students are also encouraged to find out more about games development opportunities through links with schools, academies and colleges.

research grants in this area.

And so what are Stuart’s hopes for the future of the Institute?

“We clearly have a regional profile in games and animation, and at present are working on several projects in the area of applied gaming research. This research allows companies to become more competitive and get access to specialist support including help with funding applications in the area of games, animation and mobile digital media.”

With a BAFTA already in the bag, the future looks bright for gaming and animation at the University of Wolverhampton.

Pictures: University students have completed placements at Data dEsign Interactive, working on games such as BattleRage - The Robot Wars, Urban Extreme, Farmyard Party, Connie Talbot – Over the Rainbow and Kidz Sports – Crazy Mini Golf.

Stuart has worked on projects including work with the Shelfield Community Academy in Walsall in conjunction with Jeremy Brown of Creative Partnerships, which has enabled 22 students to come to the University to get involved with developing games for educational use.

Aside from the benefits to students, the Institute will continue to build the University’s applied research profile.

Recent research has included work to create emotions for virtual world characters in Second Life. Stuart explains this can include making a character afraid of snakes or happy when she sees a rabbit. The University continues to successfully bid for

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ses for Horse “

allulagh is a very special horse. She challenged Dr Hilary Bentley’s thinking on the way horses are exercised and led to the invention of the EquiAmi training aid.

When Hilary bought Tallulagh, the horse had problems in her back caused by previous injuries and years of not using her back properly. A chiropractor treated Tallulagh’s physical problems but psychologically she needed persuading that if she used her back properly it would not hurt her. However, unlike a human, it cannot be explained to a horse that performing certain exercises will aid their recovery.

Hilary looked for a training aid on the market that would encourage Tallulagh to use her back but was surprised that she could not find a suitable product. Determined to help her horse, she started to create her own experimenting with pieces of string.

The trick is, the horse needs to step under from his hindquarters in order to lift his shoulders and become soft and light through the head and neck, to basically carry himself correctly.

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aerobics courses

After a few weeks Hilary realised that her makeshift training aid was really helping Tallulagh. Impressed with the results, she bought rope from an ironmongers to replace the string she had been using and tried it on her other horses to see if it would benefit them, and it certainly did.

“After six months using it on Tallulagh and other horses I realised that I had got something that was extraordinarily good.”

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At this time Hilary was working for the University of Wolverhampton part-time and completing her PhD in Education.

One day at work she received an email from the Innovations team asking ‘Have you had a bright idea? Could it make money for you?’ and an invite to attend a session to find out more information.

She decided to attend and was surprised that although there were lots of people there with ideas, she was the only person with a working prototype. Dr Iain Alexander, Commercial Compliance Manager for the University, picked up on the idea immediately.

“Having been involved in managing industrial product development for many years, the simplicity of the concept behind Hilary’s training aid appealed, fitting in with the KISS rule of product development - Keep It Simple Stupid.”

Through Iain’s expertise in bidding for funding, EquiAmi started to take shape as initial finance was secured to develop the prototype, assess the market and protect the concepts behind the training aid by filing a UK patent application. Further finance was obtained through the University to develop a business plan, produce marketing material and take the patent application to the international phase.

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“

Without the ongoing help of the University to keep us in a financially sound position, the company would not have been able to go forward.

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The EquiAmi training aid, named to highlight the ‘horse-friendly’ aspect of the product, was launched in July 2006. Manufactured by a Walsall saddler, to date over 600 training aids have been sold within the UK and as far reaching as North America, Australia and South Africa.

The EquiAmi has received endorsement from top international riders, such as Rosie Thomas BHSII, a top event rider. After several months of using the training aids she commented: "All the horses on the yard are worked in the EquiAmi lungeing aid regularly.

I can see and feel a big difference in them now."

As well as impressing riders, EquiAmi has also received acclaim from equine practitioners including Kathryn Nankervis MSc CVMP, of Hartpury Equine Veterinary and Therapy Centre in Gloucestershire.

“We have found the EquiAmi to be a very useful training aid, particularly for younger or less well educated horses where we are trying to encourage a lower head carriage.

It works well for horses which have ewe necks and/or an extended posture and we have had great results when using it in horses recovering from back surgery.”

When asked if Hilary had advice for anyone looking to start their own business, she said: “Do your research into all aspects including finances, see what local grants are available, and take advantage of any free advice and courses. If you’re convinced it’s a good idea move forward positively and don’t give up at the first hurdle because it will be the first of many.”

So, what’s next for EquiAmi?

Pictures below show Rosie Thomas's horse Barry's Best working (left and centre) and relaxing (right) in the EquiAmi training aid.

Hilary’s goal is to get the training aid established as the worldwide market leader.

Iain Alexander is pursuing the ongoing national phase patent applications in the UK, Europe and the USA and a lower-cost version of the aid produced by a large manufacturer will be launched in July this year to supplement the premium leather version. This will have a significant impact on the company as the product will be sold through catalogues and retail outlets, making the product more widely available.

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Entr trepreneur te al rial ra uri ui

fast lane

The University of Wolverhampton is the lead partner in SPEED WM, a £5.2 million programme to support entrepreneurial students launch a new business. Providing guidance on how to set up, finance and market a new company within a safe environment, the scheme is a refreshing tonic to the economic gloom.

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he empty shops on the high street are a depressing sight. But one University of Wolverhampton student has found inspiration in this most visible symbol of the credit crunch. Charlotte Clark is launching a new social enterprise called Pretty Vacant, and her aim is to brighten up shopping centres by placing art exhibitions in disused shop units.

The idea has won support from various shopping centres, and visitors will be able to take in an art exhibition along with their regular purchases from the summer.

Charlotte is one of 30 participants on Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education West Midlands (SPEED WM), a new three-year programme which offers students the opportunity to start up and run their own business. Each participant embarks on a 36-week programme, during which they will get help and support in the form of training and coaching from qualified business mentors. Funded by Advantage West Midlands, the European Regional Development Fund and Higher Education Innovation Fund 4, the scheme is open to all full or part time UK, EU or European Economic area students on undergraduate or postgraduate courses at the University, regardless of their subject.

This year’s cohort includes a wide range of businesses, including 16 students from the School of Art & Design. But students can pitch whatever idea they come up with to a Dragon’s Den-style panel. The companies range from glass designers, photographers and an illustrator through to a student who is selling her own recipe for Jamaican fish sauce and one who is launching a top secret invention. They may be encouraged to alter their ideas to a more manageable concept, although the ‘dragons’ are looking not only for the spark of a good idea, but also sparkling personal qualities.

Sarah Taylor is the University of Wolverhampton’s Programme Manager for SPEED WM. The project comes under the Institute for Innovation & Enterprise (IIE), which is an external facing part of the University, and is particularly successful at dealing with local businesses. The University also manages the project regionally for the partner institutions, which are the universities of Birmingham, Birmingham City, Coventry, Keele, Staffordshire, Worcester and Aston.

Sarah explains that in addition to 10 hours of advice from a business mentor, students do get financial support, and at Wolverhampton this is £4,500. They can spend £1,500 on necessities for their business – as long as it is approved by the programme managers – and a further £1,500 on professional services bought on the students’ behalf by SPEED, for example a business branding starter pack, help setting up a website or intellectual property advice.

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business

funding from SPEED for an album and tour.

A group of students launched a clinic offering complementary therapy treatments to staff while they were at the University and went on to set up their own business, Natural Therapeutic Touch, after graduating.

Three Computer Science students spotted a gap in the market and launched an online comic book shop for fans of Japanese Manga comics. Another student, Michael Perkins, created a successful IT company PS-CMS Ltd, specialising in diagnosing and repairing PC problems.

The next round of applications for the second cohort of SPEED WM begins in September, with the panel interviews in November and December. But is it a good idea to be launching a new business, when the newspapers are filled on a daily basis with stories of companies going under and job cuts? Sarah thinks it is an excellent time to be learning how to build a proper base for a business and how to manage it successfully.

SPEED students have launched a range of interesting businesses. Pictured here are examples of wedding photography by Teresa Bailey of Luv Pics, Bilston; ceramics

by Eleanor Snare, Wolverhampton and illustrations by Phil Lynch Illustration, Codsall.

In addition students can do “Business Bursts” which are sessions on more specific areas such as online marketing, networking and how to hold an exhibition.

“This is an opportunity for students to gain the support and help they need and use the expertise we have in the University to turn their ideas into reality,” Sarah says.

But equally important are the general business skills the students learn. They are able to network with each other and other local business leaders, and this has provided a number of useful links for them.

And they are also allowed to make mistakes, as they would be in the business world.

“They make mistakes and they will learn from that. I am a big proponent of ‘learning by doing’. Part of the learning curve is how tough it is. I think it is the best way to learn but with help and support along the way,” Sarah explains.

SPEED WM builds on the success of a two-year national pilot, which supported more than 95 Wolverhampton students.

Among the many successes were PJ, John and Paul Tierney, from a band called UXL. The three brothers received help and

“There are great opportunities out there – the credit crunch is not having that great an effect on us here and we have not noticed any difference from the other times we have run versions of SPEED. These young people are coming through with great ideas and great energy. It is quite a safe environment so they are able to test out their ideas and see if it suits them – it is an educational experience.”

For more information, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/speed

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Educ ucato tional al

reflections

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Hurd is retiring in August after a 36-year career with the University of Wolverhampton.

He began his career teaching in the Department of Art History and Complementary Studies in the School of Art and Design, later developing interests in Film, Media and Cultural Studies.

He was instrumental in the genesis of Media and Film degrees and part of the team that developed the first modular programmes, pioneering mature student entry and setting up the Diploma in Higher Education.

His roles have included Dean of the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences, Head of Academic Standards, and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development and Quality).

Responsibilities have included managing the Deans of School, Quality and Academic Standards, the international education strategy, HR and equal opportunities.

He is a member of the Higher Education Academy, an institutional auditor for the Quality Assurance Agency, a member of the board of Light House Media Centre, which he helped found, and a Governor at Walsall College.

What have been some of your career highlights from your time with the University?

To have had the opportunity to be part of an organisation that’s grown unrecognisably from when I first joined it. In 1973 it was a small polytechnic, now it’s a large university and it has been wonderful to be part of that journey.

The early stage of developing film and TV studies was a very exciting time. Also, being in a position to support the development of BSL/ Deaf Studies from a small, specialist course into today’s success story is something I’m very proud of. When the School of Humanities and Cultural Studies merged with the School of Languages and European Studies around 1999, for the first time I had deaf staff working in the school. I took my Stage 1 British Sign Language course as a part-time student at Dudley College and I think this made it clear that the new school was going to be committed to the subject.

In the early 1980s I was seconded to WMBC’s Economic Development Unit for two years and led the first stages, with Frank Challenger (then at West Midlands Arts), to establish what is now Light House Media Centre, where I still play an active role on the Board. Light House is so important to the city and region’s film and television industries and the cinema programme is one of the reasons I live here!

When I was Head of Academic Standards we went through at least two or three audits by the Quality Assurance Agency, each of which we were successful in. It was very important for the University that we got those right.

What positive changes have you seen within the higher education sector during your career?

The expansion of higher education has been one of the most positive social changes of the last 30 years. When I went to university in the sixties, only around 45% of 18-year-olds did so. Inevitably, there

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are those who resent the expansion of opportunity through higher education but I will always defend this. I have also seen the diversification of what higher education is: there is a greater breadth. It is important to remember that much of what is now regarded as normal had to be fought for.

For example, in about 1977 I began offering a class in the evening once a week. My then Dean’s response was to force me to hire my own office if I was using it after 5.30, which he regarded as closing time.

You were instrumental in setting up the Light House Media Centre and have established many key partnerships. How has the University benefited from close links with organisations within the region?

Our partnerships are vital. When Professor Caroline Gipps arrived as Vice-Chancellor, she created new Pro-Vice Chancellor roles focusing on partnerships, recognising their importance to the University. They are fundamental to the University’s mission and purpose. In the future, our partnerships are going to be more important than ever. In the West Midlands, which regrettably sits at the bottom of too many performance tables, it is through partnerships that we can raise aspirations and levels of attainment among young people, regenerate the regional economy and stimulate innovation and creativity. It is vital work and our mission statement is explicit about this - to be an educational hub supporting the economy through employment, entrepreneurship, creativity, knowledge transfer, research and development.

Since 2006 you have been the member of Executive responsible for the University’s international strategy.

Do you envisage this area growing further in the future?

Our Director, International, Jo Gittens deserves much credit for our success in this area. Transnational education – working with international partner institutions to deliver qualifications from Wolverhampton in other countries – has been a major shift in our strategy and we made this change

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while at the same time successfully growing the number of students coming to study here. European and international students make a big contribution to the city’s culture and economy and being an international university is vital for our future.

We are one of the most successful universities in the UK for applied research, knowledge transfer and employer engagement (thanks to the work of my retiring colleague on Executive Gerald Bennett) and we are now looking at expanding these activities internationally.

Our new International Centre, replacing our existing International Office, will enable the University to drive a broader international agenda. I still believe we have the capacity to grow and indeed it is essential we do so.

What has been your proudest moment, personally or professionally?

It is very hard to choose one specific moment. When I meet with Deans I describe myself as a ‘has-dean’ and there is still a part of me that looks back on the years as a Dean of school as some of the most fulfilling. I covered for an interim period the vacant role of Dean of the School of Engineering and the Built Environment (SEBE), alongside my role as Dean of HLSS, and that was a tremendous opportunity for me. Being a Dean is an excellent grounding for the demands of Executive, which are quite different and it’s important to understand how Schools and Departments work. I combined being Dean with the role of Head of Academic Standards for five years and benefitted from working closely with colleagues in QASD. I have also been Acting Vice-Chancellor twice and that is a great responsibility.

I think I am the only person to have occupied every academic grade within the University from the most junior to Acting VC.

and I know how committed so many people are to this City and the University.

A personal proud moment was cheering my wife Stella as she received her Doctorate from the OU in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. She made the cross-over from adult to higher education in 1992 and has developed a strong publication record and research career. We will be meeting up a lot more regularly after we both retire this year as she has lived away from home most of the last 20 years, part of that network of mobile academics that is a feature of life today.

What lasting memories will you take away from the University?

After the death of our eldest son, Daniel, in 2001, many colleagues provided immense support. Friends in HLSS and on the Dudley Campus (where I was based) simply did everything that needed to be done over those weeks and months, without Stella or me ever having to ask. It was tremendous to have that support and very moving. We will both always remember that time and the kindness we received. We would both like to say thank you to everyone.

If you were at University today, what would you like to study?

I would study modern languages. I’m married to a linguist and still have an ambition to become reasonably competent in one European language. It is hard to imagine an international university that doesn’t teach languages.

What are your other interests?

I enjoy spending time with our son and grandchildren – Jake, 11, Oliver, eight, and Lily, eight.

I have just bought a MacBook to use at home. I’ve been instantly converted from a

I was pleased that we were able to establish the Equality and Diversity Unit before I retired and at long last give Berry Dicker and Cindy Williams-Findlay a firm platform on which to work.

The real beating heart of the University is its staff and I am proud of the way they make the institution work. I see many people in and around Wolverhampton

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PC user. It works in seconds – it’s delightful.

Who do you admire and why?

I never tire of the films of the great American director John Ford. The other day I watched She Wore a Yellow Ribbon again.

On the verge of his retirement at Fort Starke, a one-troop cavalry post, the aging US Cavalry Capt. Nathan Cutting Brittles is given one last patrol and it reminded me how John Ford’s films can still resonate today, particularly when I am about to go on my last patrol.

What are you looking forward to about your retirement?

I am looking forward to having more time to see family and friends. I have a sister in South Africa and would like to spend some time over there.

I plan to continue my work as a Governor at Walsall College and have been appointed to the standards committee for Wolverhampton City Council, overseeing the conduct of members.

I also want to catch up with my reading.

I am very catholic in my tastes and will pick anything up and try it.

Stella and I are also planning a monograph.

She has some remarkable women in her family history, two of whom were made Dames for services to education and mental health. We’re interested in researching and capturing the history of their achievements.

I will look forward to enjoying Sunday nights again and taking a cup of tea back to bed on Monday morning.

people

Graduate

SuccessStory

Linzi Mistry • BA (Hons) Photography • Graduated 2001

Linzi Mistry has been able to transform an interest in conservation into a successful and innovative business selling recycled paper. Inspired by her passion for the environment, the creative 29-year-old launched Pachamama Paper which sells paper made using anything from bananas to confetti and even elephant droppings.

Linzi graduated from the School of Art & Design in 2001 with a BA (Hons) in Photography. She developed an interest in the subject while studying an open Art & Design course at college and after gaining some valuable work experience shadowing a photographer. After graduating, Linzi secured her first job as a Photographic Assistant and climbed her way to Photographic Manager in a West Midlands firm by 2006. Unfortunately, the industry as a whole suffered as a result of the growing digital market and Linzi took redundancy.

But the budding business woman was optimistic about the future, and put the skills and knowledge gained at University and at work to good use.

“The skills learnt on the job in my management role gave me the tools to be able to run my own business.

“My second passion or interest after photography is the environment and conservation and all things ‘green’ and eco. I was able to start my ethical business supplying recycled paper and stationery to businesses and the general public.”

Linzi created a business plan for a photographic business on paper made from recycled elephant droppings. But when she began to talk to people about her business idea, she found that many people were often more interested in the paper it was printed on.

She quickly realised there was obviously a market for this sort of business, and gained a bursary to launch Pachamama Paper. The company now sells ‘unique’ paper, boards and envelopes made from things like glitter, grass and old bank notes, as well as office paper, desk stationery and printed stationery such as business cards.

Linzi decided on the imaginative name for her business as it is the Inca term for ‘Mother Earth’, and symbolises her desire to protect the earth’s resources by operating in an environmentally friendly way. Linzi now plans to expand her product range, make more of her own recycled paper and continue to raise awareness of the need to preserve the planet for future generations.

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Although her career has taken her in a different direction than she originally planned, Linzi believes that her degree set her on the road to success, and she is still able to draw on what she learnt today.

“My photo skills allow me to be able to do my own marketing shots, website shots and anything that communicates ideas and information visually.

“Since University, one thing has led to another, but without the initial foundation from the course I wouldn’t have reached the level I am at now.”

For more information, visit www.pachamama-paper.co.uk For details about School of Art & Design courses, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

o guide at’s on What Wh August University of Wolverhampton Open Day Find out about a range of courses, meet the lecturers and current students and tour the excellent facilities.

Date: Saturday 22 August 2009 Time: 10am to 3pm Location: Wolverhampton City & Walsall Campuses Contact: Enquiries Team Website: www.wlv.ac.uk/opendays Call: 0800 953 3222*

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Exhibition 20 0 9

MA Postgraduate Show Students from the School of Art & Design exhibit their work.

Date: Monday 7 to Saturday 12 September 2009 Time: 9am to 5pm Location: School of Art & Design, MK Building, Molineux Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1AD Contact: Bhavna Parmar Call: 01902 322058 Email: b.parmar5@wlv.ac.uk

Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme Increase your profit over breakfast – Breakfast presentation for local businesses to learn more about the Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme and how the University of Wolverhampton can help businesses succeed.

Date: Wednesday 30 September 2009 Time: 7.30am to 9.30am Location: Wolverhampton Science Park Contact: Steve Male Call: 01902 824295 Email: steven.male@wlv.ac.uk

October September 2009 University of Wolverhampton Graduations Students from all Academic Schools receive their awards.

Date: Thursday 3 September to Friday 11 September 2009 Location: The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

University of Wolverhampton Open Day Find out about a range of courses, meet the lecturers and current students and tour the excellent facilities Date: Saturday 10 October 2009 Time: 10am to 3pm Location: Wolverhampton City & Walsall Campuses Contact: Enquiries Team Website: www.wlv.ac.uk/opendays Call: 0800 953 3222* * If you are calling from a mobile phone you may incur a charge. The charge may vary depending on your network provider.

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WV W LVdialogue University of Wolverhampton Wulfruna Street Wolverhampton West Midlands WV1 1LY tel: 0800 953 3222* fax: 01902 32 25 17 web: www.wlv.ac.uk/dialogue

Printed on paper from sustainable forests with FSC mixed source credit *If you are calling from a mobile phone you may incur a charge. The charge will vary depending on your network provider HR0035