1. warwick business school alumni association magazine: autumn 04
the
public management issue nexus: spring 2004
17
2. autumn 2004
alumni in the news:
www.wbs.ac.uk/alumni/nexus.cfm
Leading the way
Applying lessons
Meeting the challenge
6
8
9
driven to work
Paul Smith (DLMBA 1985–89) Finance Director of Ford of Britain,
Putting theory featured in the April issue of Accountancy magazine, in a special report
into practice 10 on the Motor industry, entitled ‘Driven to work’. Paul was one of the
WBS goes public! 11 first Ford sponsored MBA students. Commenting on his experience of
Paul Smith
Executive education 13 studying the MBA by distance learning at WBS, Paul said, ‘I found it
very intellectually challenging and it got my brain back into gear.’
DoCoMo success story 14
Networking 17
Event reviews 19
immediate benefits
worthwhile investment Vanessa Markey (MBA 2000–01)
was featured in The Independent
on 6 May. Under the headline
diary
Phil White (MBA 2000–01) featured in The
Independent on Saturday 3 April, in an article ‘In a good school, benefits are
headlined Are returns from an MBA worth the cost? immediate,’ Vanessa relates her
Now working as a sector development manager experience of studying the MBA
for the telecoms group Energis, Phil presented a at WBS and how her project with
www.wbs.ac.uk/alumni/forthcoming.cfm
strong case for the Warwick MBA, and affirmed, Ford led to a full-time position.
Vanessa Markey
‘I’m making use of my MBA and feel my time at She is now Global Brand
ACADEMIC UPDATE ON LEADERSHIP Communications Manager for
Warwick was a worthwhile investment in myself.’
16 October 2004
Radcliffe Land Rover.
Speakers: Professors Howard
Thomas, John McGee, Colin
Carnall and Senior Teaching
Fellow, MSM, Grier Palmer.
Special Guest: Anthony Carey, life-changing
National Technical Partner,
RSM Robson Rhodes Carole Howlett (MBA 1988–90) was the subject of
new skills
IGPM ANNUAL CONFERENCE an in depth feature in The Independent on 29 April. Carl Howard (EXMBA 2000–04) Executive
25–26 October 2004 Carole was sponsored by the Metropolitan Police to Assistant to the CE of Prudential UK, featured in an
Scarman do her MBA at WBS and has subsequently experienced article on the MBA Job Market in The Times on 10
a series of fast track promotions through the ranks to May. He had just completed the modular Executive
LAUNCH OF PUBLIC
SECTOR NETWORK her present position of Assistant Commissioner. In the MBA, sponsored by the Prudential. ‘It has meant
26 October 2004 article, Carole acknowledges the positive contribution an extra 20 hours work per week but this is a small
Speaker: Professor Colin Crouch of the MBA to her career path, saying: ‘the course was sacrifice. I was able to apply my new skills to the
really life-changing in terms of the confidence and business immediately,’ reported Carl.
MBA 10 YEAR REUNION
13 November 2004 exposure to new ideas that it gave me.’
Radcliffe
Mini academic update
followed by a Gala dinner
Speakers: Professors John
McGee and David Wilson
chair for Anne
WBS FORUM SERIES News of Anne Gunther’s (MBA 1989–91) chief
MBA Teaching Centre executive of Standard Life Bank new appointment
Dates, speakers and topics
on website as Chair of the Council of Mortgage Lenders
(CML) appeared in the Mortgage Finance Gazette
REGIONAL EVENTS in March. Commenting on her appointment,
Midlands
Anne said: ‘My job in 2004 is to ensure that the
23 November 2004
mortgage market is not used as a political football
Anne Gunther
London (First Friday)
and that any proposed policy interventions are
3 December 2004
held up to scrutiny.‘
Designed by Parenthesis +44 (0)24 7622 9658
3. WBS in the news
WBS faculty, students, and alumni regularly appear in the media, whether
for expert comment on a subject, or as news in their own right. Faculty
have been particularly busy in the broadcast media recently and here is just
a snapshot of coverage.
Sue Bridgewater, MSM, was interviewed - in French - on Radio France
about UK football clubs, and Chelsea in particular with reference to their
defeat by Monaco. She has also spoken on BBC Radio 5 about football
management qualifications.
Andrew Burke, CSME, appeared on BBC TV Breakfast, BBC Radio
good news in latest rankings Scotland, and BBC Belfast, discussing entrepreneurship and families, having
In May, several media rankings of universities and business schools previously been asked to speak on the BBC’s Working Lunch about his
appeared. The Times Good University Guide, which looks at research on current trends in the music industry.
undergraduate degrees taught in UK universities, was good news for Catherine Mitchell, CMuR, appeared on a debate following If… the lights
both the University and WBS this year. The University of Warwick go out, a BBC2 Newsnight docu-drama set in the winter of 2010, when
rose from 8th last year to 5th, and in the individual subject tables, Britain is struggling to generate enough electricity to cope with demand.
WBS rose from 8th to 4th place.
Bob Johnston, OM, appeared on Radio 4’s You and Yours responding to
In the Financial Times’ ranking of customised executive non-degree listeners’ questions on complaint handling and management by
courses, WBS rose one place to 29th in the world and up to 11th in organisations. John Benington, IGPM, appeared on BBC2 TV’s Newsnight
Europe, while retaining its 4th position in the UK. speaking about public sector reforms. Keith Hoskin, MSM, joined local
WBS was also ranked in joint 4th place in Europe with Rotterdam radio to talk about the UK’s railway system.
School of Management in the first MBA ranking of Junge Karriere, Their contributions, and the many other contributions to printed media,
Germany's leading magazine for young professionals and are much appreciated by all those in WBS charged with raising our profile.
university graduates.
WBS Dean speaks at
London’s Royal Albert Hall WBS Professor
accreditation success Howard Thomas, Dean of
WBS, put the case for the role addresses OECD
Following a recent inspection visit, the Association of MBAs has of management education in Professor David Storey,
re-accredited the Warwick MBA programme for the maximum five keeping UK business Director of the Centre for Small
year period for meeting the high quality standards required by the competitive at the 2004 & Medium Sized Enterprises
Association, and accredited the Warwick MPA for the first time. Institute of Directors Annual (CSME) at WBS had sound
Launched in 2000, the Warwick MPA has only just become eligible Convention at the Royal advice for policy makers at the
for accreditation. The AMBA assessors looked into all aspects of MBA Albert Hall in April. This prestigious Organisation for
and MPA teaching, from curriculum development to management of year’s theme was Britain Economic Co-operation and
programmes. Their feedback was positive, with WBS described as Competing in the Modern World. Development (OECD)
‘an impressive school’.
conference in June. His
recommendations to Ministers
and representatives from 64
new professors Wendy Currie, Professor of Information Systems, from Brunel University countries are based on years
of observing policies aimed at
Haridimos Tsoukas, returns to WBS as Professor of Organisation Studies
at WBS Andrew Sturdy, Professor of Organisation Studies,
supporting SMEs.
We are pleased to announce that from Imperial College, London
during the past year, WBS has
been recruiting new professors,
some of whom have joined us
Colin Crouch, Professor of Governance and Public Management,
from the Instituto Universitario Europeo in Florence WBS welcomes
recently and others who will be WBS also welcomes newly
Joining the Accounting & Finance Group (AFIN):
joining over the coming months. appointed Director of
Mark Salmon, Professor of Finance and Director of the Financial Marketing, Simon Peatfield,
Their contributions will enhance Econometrics Research Centre (FERC), from Cass Business School who joined us in March and
nexus: autumn 2004
our reputation as one of the most Nathalie Walker who joins
Anthony Neuberger, Professor of Finance, from London Business
highly regarded, research led, us in September as Head of
School
university based business schools Alumni Relations from Christ
in Europe. Gordon Gemmill, Professor of Finance, from Cass Business School College, Cambridge.
The most recent appointments Colin Clubb, Professor of Accounting, from Tanaka Business School,
are shown here. Imperial College
03
4. a message from the Dean
Warwick MPA has made a real world-class research across all of providing much needed additional
difference to them, their organisations their disciplines that have placed us teaching space for new and existing
and the people they serve. as one of the top three research programmes, which will in turn
faculties in the UK. The media help us to build the reputation
As this edition of Nexus goes to
rankings of all our programmes, of WBS and increase the value of
print we will have implemented
from undergraduate through MBA your qualification. You can find
our plans to strengthen and
and specialist masters to doctoral, out more in the article on the
develop the research and teaching
show a continuous upward trend WBS Fund for Academic Excellence
on governance, public management
and place us in the premiership (page 15).
and policy. Along with the
of European, university-based,
organisational re-structuring of Finally I would like to welcome
business schools and on-track to
the six research centres in this field all those new WBS alumni who
achieve our goal of being the best.
The public sector has been a key we have made two academic graduated in July and thank those
area of research at Warwick appointments. We welcome Colin A recent external review of the former graduates who came to
Business School for over fifteen Crouch – Professor of Governance School praised not only the faculty give their support. We had a
years. As governance, public policy and Public Management who will but also the non-academic staff magnificent series of reception
and management are becoming chair the Institute of Governance who, in their opinion (and ours) parties in the specially provided
increasingly important in both real and Public Management (IGPM), are some of the best in the field. marquee venue by the lake and
and political terms, WBS has sought the umbrella group under which 5* research, excellence in teaching I hope that you will remember
to be at the forefront of translating all the research centres in public and high service levels all contribute the day fondly for many years.
theory into practice. We have management will sit; Robin to our strong performance and I look forward to meeting you at
attracted several cohorts of senior Wensley – Professor of Policy & attract the highest quality students one of our many other events
managers from the public services Marketing and Director of the who become a strong alumni throughout the year.
onto our MPA programme since its Advanced Institute of Management network. The last piece to complete
launch in 2000 – the first public Research at ESRC, will lead the new the virtuous circle is to enhance our
sector MBA of its kind in the UK – teaching group. facilities. We still aim to start the
and as you will read later, the next phase of the Scarman Road
Of course this is not the only
knowledge and experience that building in Spring 2005,
activity at WBS. Our academics
they have gained on the
continue to produce the sort of
WBS Alumni Board
call for applicants Bridgette Sullivan-Taylor, MSM, has
been awarded a prestigious Leverhulme
The WBS Alumni Board is seeking applications for new members in 2005. The Board was constituted in Trust Early Career Fellowship. Bridgette’s
2002 and meets three times each year. It exists to engage Warwick Business School alumni in an effective research on strategic management
association, demonstrably contributing to the achievement of WBS strategic goals and, equally, creating a implications of global terrorism,
lifelong community. will investigate the intricate inter-
All WBS alumni are welcome to apply and we consider your past and potential contribution to be equally relationships between international
important. We particularly welcome applications from alumni who fulfil any of the following criteria: tourism and terrorism.
h Graduated in the 1980s This research builds on research into
emerging trends in international
h Industry background in the Public Sector or Government
strategy and global tourism. Bridgette
h An undergraduate degree from WBS will develop the ‘Think Global,
Act Local’ concept further to examine
If you would like to represent the interests and concerns of WBS alumni and help shape the direction of the
the added dimension of terrorism and
Alumni Relations programme then this is the job for you! For information about application requirements
its impact on strategic management
please read the terms of reference online at w www.wbs.ac.uk/alumni/board.cfm If you would like to speak
practices. The impact of national
to someone about applying, please contact Caroline Hughes on t +44 (0)24 7652 8487
policies on tourist patterns and the
The closing date for applications is Friday 19 November 2004 and successful applicants will then be invited to operational practices of national
join the Board for the term January 2005 – end of 2007. Previous applications will be considered along with new carriers, which operate across borders
ones unless we are advised differently. facing added risks in their operational
activities, will also be examined.
5. hot off
A new publication: Nigel Piercy, Dr Duncan Angwin,
European Integration Professor of MSM, has published
and Industrial Marketing, has a chapter on ‘The
the press Relations: Multi-level
Governance in the
Making is the result of a
collaboration by Paul
published Marketing
Strategy and
Competitive
Positioning, 3rd edition, with
Managing Executive
in Post-Acquisition
Management’ in
Advances in Mergers
Marginson, Professor of co-authors Graham Hooley and Acquisitions vol 3, edited by
Industrial Relations and Director and John Saunders. Cooper, C and Finkelstein, S. In
of the Industrial Relations The third edition focuses on the third book in the Elsevier/JAI
Research Unit (IRRU) and Keith competitive positioning at the Series, leading international scholars
Sisson, Emeritus Professor of heart of marketing strategy and from a range of disciplines explore
Industrial Relations. Published by includes in-depth discussion of the economic, financial, strategic
Palgrave/Macmillan, it provides the processes used in marketing or organisational behaviour aspects
an integrated treatment of to achieve competitive advantage. of M & As.
industrial relations at the EU w www.pearsoned.co.uk w www.elsevier.com/wps/find
community, sector and company
An essential guide ‘Making Up People:
Dr Sally Dibb levels; examines developments
to qualitative Consumption as a
and Dr Lyndon Simkin, of within national systems in the
research methods in Symbolic Vocabulary
WBS’s Marketing & Strategic light of European integration;
organizations, for the Construction
Management Group, have just and analyses their interaction
edited by of Identity’ is the
published a second edition of with the emerging EU framework.
Catharine title of a chapter by
Marketing Briefs: A Revision and w www.palgrave.com
Cassell and Richard Elliott,
Study Guide. Published by Elsevier
IRRU Research Fellow, Gillian Symon, published by Professor of
Butterworth-Heinemann, this
Dr Jane Parker, has Sage, features a chapter on ‘Case Marketing & Consumer Research,
guide provides topical and
recently published study research’ by Jean Hartley, in a new publication Elusive
insightful overviews of key
Women's Groups and WBS Professor of Organisational Consumption: Tracking New
strategic marketing concepts –
Equality in British Analysis. Jean also co-authored Research Perspectives, edited by
everything from buying
Trade Unions. the chapter on ‘Co-research: Karin Ekstrom and Helene
behaviour, CRM, value-based
Published by Edwin Mellen Press, insider/outsider teams for Brembeck, published by Berg.
marketing, one-to-one marketing,
this study shows the centrality of organizational research’ with John Covering virtually every aspect
target marketing, portfolio
women's organising to unionism Benington, Professor of Public of the word 'consumerism', this
analysis, marketing shareholder
and women's experience of Policy Management, and Director book provides a state-of-the-art
value analysis, competitive
unions, and provides insights of the Institute of Governance view of the highly commercialised
advantage and brand value.
into the circumstances necessary and Public Management. society we inhabit today.
w www.bh.com/
for women's sustained activism. w www.sagepub.co.uk w www.bergpublishers.com
knowledgemanagement
w www.mellenpress.com
research news
Details of just some of the
recent research contracts
Another workshop is planned in 18
months time when many of the
the cost and availability of
finance to small businesses along
Management group (MSM), with
David W Cravens of Texas
and projects at WBS: same participants will review with comprehensive data on Christian University on
progress. The project is lead business and owner-manager gender research in sales and
As part of a European Social Fund
organised by Anne-Marie, with characteristics. marketing, have discovered
research project being run by
Gill Kirton from Queen Mary that as companies move from
Anne-Marie Greene, Industrial Kevin Mole, Francis Greene and
University of London, and involves transactional selling to
Relations & Organisational David Storey are being
academics, senior managers, and relationship selling, women
Behaviour (IROB), a Diversity sponsored by the Small Business
trade union officials. in first line management roles
in Policy and Practice workshop Service to review business support
in sales seem to be particularly
was held at WBS in April. Members of the Centre for Small services across countries belonging
effective in managing this
The workshop provided an & Medium sized Enterprises to the Organisation for Economic
strategic transition, especially
opportunity for participants from (CSME) met with success in Co-operation and Development
when compared to their male
a broad range of sectors to share recent funding applications. (OECD). The review focuses on
counterparts. The evidence is
experiences, examples of good Stuart Fraser is being funded the choices that policy-makers
that they are just as demanding
nexus: autumn 2004
practice, and practical ways by the Bank of England and other have when designing business
and critical as male managers.
forward and also provided focus leading staff organisations to support programmes.
The differences seem to be in
for the research investigation into carry out a major survey of UK
Recent studies carried out by the ways in which they manage
getting practitioner input into the small business finances. This will
Nigel Piercy and Nikala Lane, their salespeople.
research design. be the first survey in the UK to
Marketing & Strategic
gather detailed information on
05
6. Warwick MPA graduation 2004
by Professor Jean Hartley Academic Director of the Warwick MPA (2000–03)
L aunched in January 2000, the Warwick
MPA was the first public sector MBA of its
kind in the UK, being modelled on similar
also signed up for the programme in
considerable numbers, as have some private
sector managers who work closely with the
h The USA for two weeks, studying US
and global public in Washington DC
and governance and leadership at
degrees at Harvard and elsewhere in the USA, public sector. the Kennedy School of Government
and over the past five years has attracted at Harvard.
The Warwick MPA is designed primarily
considerable attention in both the academic
as a modular programme for busy, working The distinctive teaching and learning
and policy communities, for its innovative
managers, studying as they work. Thirteen approach is based on a carefully balanced mix
curriculum and methods of teaching.
one week modules allow for concentrated of lectures, case studies, project work, small
Several other leading UK universities are now
study on key subjects, with the opportunity group discussions, debates with practitioners,
developing MPA degrees, but Warwick
to put ideas into practice on return to the and enquiry visits. This adds up to an
is still seen to be the path-breaker.
workplace. Nine of the 13 modules are core intellectually stretching and highly
The syllabus is distinctive in combining and compulsory, while electives are to be interactive style of teaching and learning,
analysis of the public policy context with the chosen from a long list which includes a as theory and ideas are tested against practice
development of practical skills and advanced number at Warwick and several international and experience.
capabilities for leadership and strategic options:
This often stretches beyond the confines of
and operational management. It provides
h Brussels to study European public policy the classroom, to include enquiry visits to
an internationally recognised qualification
other organisations. As part of their module
which is portable across different sectors h Cracow, Poland, for a European MPA
on managing people and change, MPA5
(public, private, voluntary and grassroots summer school
(the fifth intake which started in October
community), different levels of government
h South Africa for two weeks studying 2003) took part in an enquiry visit to
(European, national, regional, and local) and
social exclusion and sustainable Onley Prison near Rugby and the University
different services, organisations and
development Hospital (UHCW) in Coventry.
countries. Voluntary sector managers have
7. profile
Jean Hartley (left)
Jean Hartley is Professor of Organisational
Analysis at Warwick Business School. She is
an ESRC Advanced Institute of Management
Research (AIM) Public Service Fellow, and also
Lead Fellow for the group of 12 Public Service
Fellows across the UK. Her research for AIM is
examining innovation and improvement in
public services. At Warwick she has helped to
develop research and teaching on public policy
and management working both in the LGC
and IGPM. She is the Research Director for the
evaluation of inter-organisational learning and
service improvement through the Beacon
Council Scheme in local government. She
undertakes research on political leadership in
public services, using the Warwick Political
Leadership Questionnaire.
The 50 students were split into small in June. The first week was spent in environment. Many examples of this are
sub-groups, who each interviewed staff from Johannesburg studying Economic & Social documented in the dissertations which form
the top of the organisation to the front-line, Exclusion, with lectures by staff at the School the final part of the course work.
in order to examine particular challenges of Public and Development Management at
In the following articles, three of our MPA
of organisational and cultural change. Witwatersrand University, meetings with
graduates give an insight into the challenges
The questions had been suggested by the senior South African government officials,
they face in their particular sector and how
Governor of the prison and the Chair and and visits to Soweto and other parts of the
lessons learned on the MPA have been put
Chief Executive of the hospital as change city. The second week on Sustainable
into practice.
issues which they currently had to address. Development was spent in the Western Cape,
On the following day, the MPA groups with lectures and case studies by staff at the
reported back to the senior management Sustainablity Institute at Stellenbosch
teams of both organisations on their findings, University, practical project work, and two
and discussed the change strategies. The MPA nights staying (in pairs) with families in two
participants and the prison and hospital of the townships, to provide opportunities for
management teams found this opportunity to more direct engagement with questions
test the application of academic theory and of social exclusion and sustainable
frameworks to practice to be valuable in development, through conversations
sharing and comparing knowledge about how with people experiencing these challenges
nexus: autumn 2004
to lead and manage change in complex first hand.
organisations.
A further link between theory and practice
Another example of this approach was the takes place when participants apply MPA
two week elective module in South Africa knowledge and skills in their work
07
8. applying lessons
by Andrew Wood
I
Director of EDM, Countryside Agency
joined the first cohort of the need for organisations (irrespective of public body responsible for ensuring
Warwick MPA in January 2000 and their sector) to give something back to that public money is spent
graduated in July 2003. I derived a huge the community. economically, efficiently, and effectively
amount of enjoyment from these three in the areas of local government,
Many of the modules helped by giving
years: benefiting from the uniformly housing, health, criminal justice and the
practical support with day-to-day
high standard of the teaching, the fire and rescue services. In June 2004,
management issues (Financial &
amazing quality of some of the visiting I moved to the Countryside Agency as
Resource Management, for example) or
speakers and the friendship (and Director for Evaluating, Disseminating
by providing explicit articulation to
network building potential) of my fellow and Mainstreaming (EDM). The
previously tacit knowledge – in other
students. But, of course, the real point of Countryside Agency is funded by the
words, validating what I thought I
participating in the programme (apart Department for Environment, Food
already knew (Managing People &
from getting the badge!) was to take and Rural Affairs (Defra) and works to
Change). But the sum total of the
something useful back to the day job. improve the quality of the countryside
programme and, in particular, modules
and the quality of life for all who use it.
Not all of this learning has been directly such as Strategy, Leadership & Values,
In this position I will oversee the
transferable – I have sometimes been Systems Thinking & Learning and
evaluation of all the socio-economic
surprised by the cross-fertilisation of Designing & Managing Networks &
work which is due to transfer from the
ideas that has occurred. For example, Organisations, have changed the whole
Agency. I am also leading the process
it is perhaps obvious that much of the way I approach any job and stood my
of dissemination and managing the
material in the Operations Management problem-solving strategy on its head.
transference of functions and staff to
& Service Delivery module would help They have given me a range of tools to
receiving organisations from the
me in delivering audit services to a range manage my working life (soft-systems
Countryside Agency as set out in Defra’s
of public sector bodies; but maybe less analysis, for example) and a whole new
Rural Strategy announced in July 2004.
obvious that learning about queue language to describe and illustrate what
management through visiting a bowling I am trying to do. No-one from Cohort 1 While the focus of these jobs has been
alley in Leamington should help me to will ever forget the concept of ‘frog respectively, operational delivery, policy
theorise about the application of choice boiling’ I’m sure, although it does development and programme evaluation
in public services. Equally, Corporate sometimes take a little explaining for and dissemination; all three have
Citizenship not only helped develop my the uninitiated! included significant elements of change
understanding of sustainable management. I have therefore drawn
I started the MPA as Director of District
development but was also a profound on a wide range of the skills and theories
Audit Wales and was subsequently
influence on my thinking about strategic taught on the MPA.
promoted to Head of Policy for the
regulation, with its ideas of triple
Audit Commission, an independent
bottom-line accounting and of the
9. meeting the
challenge
w hat is it that is providing the
challenge for managers in local government
at the moment? From my experience in the
borough of Stockport, it is not the task of
managing the budget or streamlining services
by Jane Scullion, Assistant Chief Executive, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
government became clearer and the possibility
of ‘joined up’ government became visible. I
also gained an invaluable network of friends
across the public sector that go on providing
me with information and support. These are
‘creating public value’ when working
alongside politicians. Much of management
literature does not address the unique
challenges and choices facing public sector
managers working in a political environment.
so much as leading, driving and managing the people you can call upon for help when
One of the outcomes of completing the
change within the political context of public you are tackling a particularly intractable
Warwick MPA, for me, is a renewed sense of
services. problem, or just when you want some advice
the importance of ensuring that public sector
on the next job.
Working in an organisation with 12,000 managers are equipped to do the best possible
employees and a budget of £285 million, not The course expanded my horizons in a job. I have begun coaching and mentoring
to mention a demanding and articulate number of different ways. There was the younger managers who are at an earlier stage
population of just under 300,000 people, exposure to a wider European and of their careers, and the results are rewarding.
means that every day fresh problems and international perspective on government
challenges arise. One of my tasks as Assistant through travel to Brussels and the United
Chief Executive is about ensuring that the States. In both cases the cultural experience
organisation keeps its focus on longer-term matched the academic experience:
goals as well as the day to day tasks. memorable and thought provoking.
This means ensuring timely feedback on
I also benefited from the wide
performance as well as running a robust
variety of speakers with very
system of internal challenge designed to
different and sometimes
stimulate improvement.
extremely challenging views.
Whilst I was participating in the very first I personally appreciated the
Masters in Public Administration (MPA) I intellectual rigour which was
moved from being an operational manager given to the examination of
to my current strategic role. public sector practice.
My job gives me a role in influencing and My dissertation project
shaping policy, and involves working closely considered the impact of the
with local councillors on a daily basis. The changes to decision-making
MPA certainly helped prepare me to take on arrangements in local
new responsibilities and gave me the government, just as the new
confidence to strike out in a new direction. approaches to governance
were being implemented for
Working alongside colleagues from health and
the first time. I gained a
Jane Scullion
central government on the MPA broadened
nexus: autumn 2004
great deal from the work of
and deepened my understanding of the whole
Mark Moore and in
of the public sector. Suddenly the world
particular his concept of
beyond the narrow confines of local
09
10. putting theory into practice
by Chief Superintendent Irwin Turbitt
profile
Irwin graduated in July 2004 and was the
Drumcree
recipient of an Outstanding MPA Citizen
award. He is currently on secondment
from PSNI to the Police Standards Unit
in the Home Office where he leads on
national projects which aim to improve
D
police performance in a number of
critical areas.
rumcree Parish Church is set in the conversation that afternoon, and Warwick, calls Creating Public Value;
beautiful rolling countryside two miles I decided to apply to the programme. another bit of theory I learnt about on
outside Portadown in County Armagh The hook had been the part of the the course. A key difference between
in Northern Ireland. conversation when John expressed his public value created in the public sector
enthusiasm for seeing theory used to and private value created in the private
It would be unremarkable, except as a
improve practice which in turn would sector is the absence of a single agreed
mildly interesting tourist attraction,
lead to improved theory. This was just unit of measure for public value.
were it not for the fact that the word
the sort of education I was after, the
‘Drumcree’ has become internationally So while private value is measured in
sort that would help me perform more
known and associated with trouble, pounds, euros or dollars how can
effectively in my professional life.
disorder and religious conflict. public value be measured? As yet,
So here was such an opportunity; could there is no simple answer to that but
I found myself responsible for the
the theory of adaptive leadership, with regard to ‘Drumcree’, no violence,
operational policing of this event when
developed by Ron Heifetz at Harvard no disorder, no damage to property
I was appointed as the District
and taught by John on module one of and no injuries to people represent
Commander of Craigavon district of
the MPA, be used to improve the worthwhile measures.
the Police Service of Northern Ireland
situation at Drumcree? The short and
(PSNI) in December 2001. So that completes one side of John
reassuring answer was a resounding
Benington’s cycle, of theory
I commenced my study of the MPA at ‘Yes’. The longer and much more
improving practice which in turn
WBS in October 2000 and while complicated answer formed part of my
improves the theory, but what about its
helping police the Holy Cross School final dissertation.
completion? Well I now help to teach
dispute in North Belfast in the autumn
Over the course of almost two and a adaptive leadership on the MPA and in
of 2001, I began to think about how
half years, ‘Drumcree’ changed from leadership masterclasses run by
to apply some of my learning from the
being a situation dreaded by many in Warwick’s Institute of Governance and
course to my operational work in
Northern Ireland, especially in the Public Management (IGPM), helping
Northern Ireland.
PSNI, to a situation where it is now explain, through a case study of
I first met Professor John Benington, over two years since the last stone was ‘Drumcree’, how I used the theory in
the MPA’s first academic director in the thrown or the last police officer or practice. This seems to me what world
summer of 2000 at an open day at WBS citizen injured. This is what Professor class graduate education should be
for the MPA course and as a result of Mark Moore, who teaches at Harvard about.
11. WBS goes public by Professor John Benington
Professor of Public Policy and Management
WBS is set to become the leading 15 years research on these issues The new structure will include:
Crouching Tiger,
business school in the UK and within WBS. Existing research
Europe to take an equal interest in centres will remain in operation
Research Hidden Dragon?
H Local Government Centre We are delighted to welcome
the private, public and third but the Warwick Institute of
(LGC) together with the Local Colin Crouch as Professor of
sectors by taking a bold and Governance and Public
Authorities Research Governance and Public
exciting initiative to strengthen its Management (IGPM) is expanding
Consortium Management, and as the first
commitment to research and to become the umbrella for all
H Centre for Management chairman of the expanded
teaching in public policy and WBS research and teaching on
Under Regulation (CMUR) Warwick Institute of Governance
management and governance of governance, public policy and
H Economic and Social and Public Management (IGPM).
the inter-relationships between management.
Research Council (ESRC) He was Professor of Sociology at
state, market and civil society. One of our key strengths at WBS
Oxford University from 1985–95,
Centre for Skills, Knowledge
is translating theory into practice. and since then has been Head of
An outstanding European scholar, and Organisational
Therefore Professor Robin the Department of Political and
Professor Colin Crouch, has Performance (SKOPE)
Wensley will be forming a new Social Sciences at the European
been appointed to a new chair in H Warwick University Health
teaching group on Public University Institute in Florence.
Governance and Public Services Partnership
Management and Policy with a He is an internationally acclaimed
Management to lead this new H IGPM’s programme of
core of around eight teaching economic sociologist with a
initiative. We are not starting research and development on
staff, working closely with the special interest in governance of
from a blank sheet of course, but Public Leadership and on
nearest counties. the market, state and civil society.
building on a foundation of over Health Services Management, He will lead WBS’s research and
together with the Warwick teaching on governance, public
University Health Services policy and management, and will
Partnership and the NHSU. strengthen our European and
H ESRC/AIM research on cross-national comparative work
Warwick hosts innovation and improvement
in public services
on these themes.
A new WBS teaching group
Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP Teaching
H Warwick MPA
on Public Policy and Management
is being formed in October 2004,
IGPM hosted Tessa Jowell, development of culture, and will bring together the
(the public sector MBA)
Secretary of State for Culture, media and sport in the UK. Warwick MPA (with 50
H Postgraduate Diploma in
Media and Sport, at Warwick We organised a small working participants per year), the
Local Government
for two days in August. She seminar of academics, Postgraduate Diploma in Local
used this as ‘sabbatical time’ policymakers and practitioners Management, Public Finance
Government Management (with
to think through with us to act as a catalyst for her and Public Leadership and
150 fast track graduate entrants in
how theories of public value thinking, and then helped to Management
three cohorts of 50 per year) and
and the public realm might draft some ideas on this theme
Close working relationships are a range of public leadership
contribute to a strategic for publication.
also being established with the programmes under the umbrella
framework for the
NHSU and research groups in of the IGPM. Professor Robin
other parts of the University of Wensley is standing down from
Warwick Social Science Faculty: his role as deputy dean of the
Business School, in order to
H ESRC Centre for the Study of concentrate on this public
Globalisation and management role within WBS.
Regionalisation (CSGR) Robin will lead this teaching
H Institute of Employment group as well as fulfilling his new
Research (IER) part-time role as National Director
H Institute of Education (IoE) for the ESRC’s Advanced Institute
H Institute of Health (IoH) of Management Research (AIM).
nexus: autumn 2004
AIM is an ESRC initiative to
contribute to the quality of
Tessa Jowell (centre), Secretary of State for Culture, Media and management research
Sport, with John Benington to her left and Dame Yve Buckland in the UK.
to her right, together with other members of the IGPM
continued overleaf
11
12. continued from page 11
cancer nursing online
CancerNursing.org is an didn't provide the training This feedback from a nurse in
innovative online learning online. Six months later, New Zealand is typical: ‘The
Alumni Association launch
website developed by Ray CancerNursing.org launched cancer of the oesophagus course
of Public Sector Network Irving and Stuart with its first course authored is absolutely amazing and most
To complement the above Sutherland, e-learning by Mark and a team from the convenient to be able to do over
developments, Warwick Business consultants at WBS, providing Northern Oesophago-Gastric the internet. The information
School’s Alumni Association is free courses in cancer care to Cancer Unit, one of the UK's learned will be of benefit when
helping to launch a new special nurses across the world. leading treatment centres.’ looking after any cancer patient
interest group – the public sector Launched last year, the site and I urge anyone who has
The site continues to expand,
network. Open to all WBS alumni as currently has over 4,000 learners an interest in cancer nursing to
‘Ten new courses are currently
well as current students on the from over 70 different countries. do this course.’
under development and we've
Warwick MPA or PDLGM. This will
Ray explains, ‘My brother is a got authoring and peer-reviewing Ray and Stuart have now
start on Tuesday 26 October with a
cancer nurse specialist whose role groups spread around the world. established a registered charity,
lecture by Professor Colin Crouch at
is to raise awareness of For example, we’ve got a team Nurse Learning, to raise money
5pm followed by drinks and a social
oesophageal cancer amongst developing a course in endoscopy to cover the cost of current and
event at 7pm.
nurses. When he told me staff who are from the UK, New future projects.
Crisp thinking about the shortages make it difficult Zealand, Australia, and the US,’
w www.nurselearning.org
to get nurses off the wards confirms Stuart.
National Health Service for training, I asked why he
Sir Nigel Crisp, chief executive of the
NHS, held an ‘audience’ with
members of the Warwick University
Health Service Partnership and the
Warwick MPA, at the new University
hospital in Coventry in June 2004.
The event was jointly chaired by
noticeboard
Dame Yve Buckland, programme
director for the Partnership and Oliver Bonser (MBA 2001–02), Colin Chew (MBA 1999–00) has Zhen Yang (MBA 1995–96) has
Bryan Stoten, chair of the Coventry has been appointed Channel recently launched his own launched a company called Vix
and Warwickshire University Marketing Manager – Retail at business, Precise Property Search Media Technology Ltd, based in
Hospitals Trust, and one of the Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Services. Please check out Beijing, to provide consulting
Baker, one of the world’s largest W www.preciseproperty.co.uk and enabling services to
founding members.
commercial property firms. for details. international companies wishing
The Warwick University Health to enter China.
Carolyn Dawson (MA Manos Nikolakis (MBA
Service Partnership draws upon the W www.vixmedia.com
Organisation Studies 2000–03) has 2001–02) has joined Societé BiC,
University’s research and expertise in
accepted a tailor-made graduate based in Athens, as Area Account Dave Cassidy (BSc Management
public policy and management, scheme with GSI Lumonics as a Manager (EEMEA), responsible Sciences 1993) has been promoted
linked to the work of WBS, Warwick Supply Chain Analyst. for business development in the to Vice President of the Turner
Medical School, Warwick Institute of Middle East and South Asia Consulting Group, based in the
John Hynes (EMBA 1994–97)
Health, the Local Government Centre, regions. US, with responsibility for
has joined Rolls-Royce as Logistics
the English Regions Network and the development of new business
Director. John was formerly
NHSU. with the US Federal government.
General Manager at Land Rover.
(Benjamin) Changqing Ye
NHSU is the new (MBA 1998–9) was recently made
‘corporate university’
Stop press
a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers
in China/Hong Kong. He will
for the NHS continue to specialise in advising
Warwick recently bid successfully on cross-border mergers and
WBS merchandise will be available online through the alumni
to be NHSU’s principal national acquisitions.
page of the web site in autumn 2004... please look out for it.
academic partner and HQ.
Once you’ve had a good look and made a purchase from the
current product range, do let us know if there are other items
that you would like us to stock.
13. executive education
WBS Executive Programmes work In 2003 Coventry City Council Lasting 18 months, the One of the success factors of
in partnership with a number of took the decision to launch an programme helps participants this programme is its use of
high profile organisations from in-house, management understand how to manage a work related assignments for
both the public and private development initiative and they public organisation more each of the modules and a final
sectors. We provide tailored chose WBS as their partner. effectively. Eight three-day project which brings together
management development With three cohorts of 30 workshops consider core learning from the whole
programmes which target specific delegates, the programme draws topics of Finance, Operations Diploma programme, culminating
organisational needs. Depending senior executives from all parts Management, Marketing, in recommendations and
upon the scope of the project our of the Council. Together we Performance Management, proposals to address identified
programmes can run from one created a tailored version of the HR and Strategic Thinking and organisational issues.
or two days (short course) to an Warwick Diploma in Applied Practice. Delegates investigate and
Other partners for WBS
18 month accredited diploma. Management. This provides develop how their managerial
Executive programmes include:
pragmatic teaching and learning style and personal effectiveness
TNT, HSBC, Peugeot, Royal Bank
as well as balancing theoretical impacts their work environment.
of Scotland, Severn-Trent Water,
concepts with down-to-earth,
Jones Lang Lasalle.
real-life application directly
influencing the workplace.
nexus: autumn 2004
13
14. DoCoMo’s success at WBS
In April, WBS welcomed Mr Kouji Ohboshi Returning to Tokyo, he thanked Warwick
to campus to outline his vision of the for welcoming him and remarked…
international mobile communications market
and to share DoCoMo’s success story. NTT
‘The students’ comments
DoCoMo is Japan’s leading mobile on my lecture were sharp
communications operator, with one of
and the occasion was very
the largest subscriber bases of any mobile
phone company in the world. Corporate enlightening and exciting
Advisor, Mr Ohboshi chose WBS from the for me. This experience
leading European business schools to mirror
a presentation he had given at Harvard
reaffirmed my belief that
University. Warwick Business School
Mr Ohboshi presented to an audience of will continue to produce
students, staff, alumni and friends on Mobile outstanding leaders
Kouji Ohboshi
futures: the creation of economic demand by
mobile communications and social reformation
in various fields towards
by ubiquitous network. the future.’
toasting success
The elegant Regency surroundings of the After dinner, the Vice-Chancellor,
Grade I listed Institute of Directors’ David VandeLinde addressed the gathering,
headquarters in Pall Mall set the scene for with his thoughts on the development of
the second WBS Annual Dinner on 13 May. the University and the role of WBS.
Howard Thomas then proposed the toast
Champagne was served as WBS faculty, staff,
to the continued success of the School.
alumni, students and guests gathered in the
George Cox, Director General of the IoD
Waterloo Room, followed by dinner under the
charted the progress of the Institute and
magnificent crystal chandeliers in the Nash
led a lively question and answer session.
Room, surrounded by portraits of the great
Alumna Hedda Bird (DLMBA 1991–98) of
and the good. Conversation sparkled as old
3C Associates confirmed, ‘I very much enjoyed
classmates exchanged news and current
the dinner, with good company and good food
students mixed with alumni from across the
George Cox
but perhaps most importantly, a real sense of
years, going right back to the 70’s.
the WBS community. It seems the School goes
from strength to strength.’
WBS annual dinner
15. fund for academic excellence
Since the last edition of Nexus and the launch of the Fund for
Academic Excellence we have totalled over £30,000 in pledges and gifts.
One alumna who is giving to the Fund is Julie Jones, who
graduated in 1981 with a BSc in Management Studies.
The Fund for Academic Excellence helps in
Currently a postgraduate student at the University of three main ways: enrolling and teaching the
Portsmouth, Julie explains why, ‘I feel privileged to have
attended Warwick Business School and experienced the very best students, recruiting and retaining the
rigours and delights of a world class education. Both my
sister and I were on full grants and fees were paid by the
best academic staff, and helping to develop
state, so funding was not an issue. If we were applying today, and maintain the highest quality facilities.
I suspect university, and more so Warwick, would have been
out of our reach.’
We are not looking to the few – we are
‘It is easy to imagine talented students missing out for lack of calling on all WBS alumni to consider giving
funds or support and the institutions miss out too because
such students have so much to contribute. Lifelong learning
to the School. With your help our vision
and education for all is great, but academic excellence is can be ensured – to become the best
essential for those with the talent. We may feel taxes should
cover everything but only complain when they are raised. university-based business school in Europe,
Recognising that I am one of the lucky ones, the various advancing business knowledge and
alumni funds help others achieve their potential but they
still have lots of work to do. It’s so easy not to bother, but creating the leaders of tomorrow.
really, I enjoy window shopping and know that second
bottle of wine leads to a hangover. Giving helps me save If you would like further
myself!’ details about the Fund,
please contact Ben Plummer,
‘The support of Warwick Business School’s alumni and
Head of Development.
friends is critical to our success,’ confirms Dean Howard
T +44 (0)24 7652 4188 or
Thomas. ‘I would like to thank all those alumni who have
e ben.plummer@wbs.ac.uk
already given to the Fund for Academic Excellence, both
through one-off gifts and through supporting the School
Julie Jones
on a regular basis.’
graduation double Howard and Geoffrey Jackson
When alumnus Howard Jackson Howard is now based in the States, Howard’s father Geoffrey Jackson,
graduated with an MBA from WBS where he has built a successful CBE, JP, is now retired and lives
in 1983, his father Geoffrey career as Principal for Step 3 in Coventry. He was a member
Jackson attended his graduation Consulting, a company offering of the Foundation Committee
ceremony. Over 20 years later, help and services in turnarounds when the Coventry Chamber of
when Geoffrey graduated in July for manufacturing and Commerce proposed the founding
with a BA in History after six years distribution organisations. He and of the University of Warwick in
of part-time study, it was Howard’s his daughter Arianna flew over to the 1960s.
nexus: autumn 2004
turn to be a proud guest at his join in the celebrations.
father’s graduation.
15