About

I am currently a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of the BA Business Management suite of programmes. Having been a Programme Leader for a number of years, I have had the great pleasure of seeing numerous students develop as individuals and learners during their time at the University of Derby. What gives me the greatest pleasure is seeing individuals realise their potential and go on to achieve success they never thought possible.

In my opinion, the University is an excellent place to allow this achievement of potential because we provide a supportive and caring environment. I feel that I have contributed a great deal to providing an environment which makes this success possible.

Teaching responsibilities

My current teaching is on year one Finance and Business Performance, a core module for all generic business students, a year 2 core module, Principles of Responsible Management, and a Seminar Tutor on the year 3 core module, The Business Consultancy Project. I also teach a year 2 optional module, Managing Financial Resources. I am also a Personal Tutor to groups of year one and three students.

Professional interests

As a member of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Regional Board, I have been very involved in increasing the membership of the CMI in the East Midlands region, with a special interest in student membership. I was recently heavily involved and the originator of the idea for a hugely successful CMI Conference on the subject of Social Media which attracted delegates from all over the country.

I am particularly delighted that we have been nominated in three categories at the CMI HE 2019 Conference. Last year we were runners up in two categories, International and Innovation and Creativity.

Research interests

My passion is enhancing the student experience to make the graduates of the University of Derby employable, caring individuals. To this end, I spearheaded the project which resulted in the BA (Hons) Business Management degree being one of the first to achieve dual accreditation with the Chartered Management Institute. The effect of this means that a Derby graduate is also eligible for a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership. I strongly believe that today's graduates need to have more than just an academic qualification, and to this end I am constantly looking to make the learning experience as practical and realistic as possible.

This year I spent a good deal of time ensuring that Derby became the first University in the UK in which every year one Business Management student was matched with a professional business mentor. These mentors are taken from a large pool of volunteers who are senior managers and members of the CMI. This external focus, as well as the internal supportive Derby environment, will have a positive impact on the professional development and employability of our students.

Furthermore we worked with some of our collaborative partners to extend the dual accreditation overseas and again became the first University to establish such Higher Education international partners.

The Business Management degree runs in several overseas countries and a particular interest of mine going forward is to facilitate cross country discussion between students in these various partners to emphasise the global nature of business in today’s world.

I am currently an external examiner at two universities (Plymouth and LJMU) and have acted as an external adviser on a number of validations across the country.

Membership of professional bodies

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• Chartered Manager
• Member of CMI
• Associate of ICSA

Qualifications

Postgraduate qualifications

• Associate Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators 
• Fellow of HEA
• Chartered Manager

International experience

The Business Management degree runs in a number of overseas countries and, as such, I have regular contact with my opposite number in those institutions. This is a fertile ground for the generation and sharing of ideas and one that I am keen to develop more in the future.

Additional interests and activities

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time walking my dogs, going to the cinema, reading and entertaining. I run an overseas property development and rental business and am a director of my late husband’s media advice business.