Sixty years of world-class education, research and impact

Sixty years of world-leading education, research, and impact was celebrated as our Business School held an anniversary reception at the UK Parliament – an event that also launched our new MBA alumni network, and a new report exploring how research and development can unlock regional growth and close the productivity gap.

‘At the heart of the North East’s future prosperity’

Sam Rushworth, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bishop Auckland and co-host of the event, told an audience of parliamentarians, alumni, and staff that the Business School was distinctive for its combination of academic excellence and commitment to achieving ‘real-world impact’.

The School is at the heart of North East England’s future prosperity, he said, and vital to regional growth.

Dr Rushworth said the School was a truly world-class institution – driving growth, shaping leaders, and shaping the economic fabric of North East England and beyond. He praised the School for bringing global opportunities to local people, including through executive education, and said it was a privilege to be part of marking the ‘incredible milestone’ of the 60^th anniversary.

‘Such enrichment’

Lord (James) Timpson, a successful business leader, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, and a Durham graduate, also addressed the event. The Geography graduate joked he wished he had studied Business at Durham, and praised the Business School for bringing ‘such enrichment’ to Durham City, through attracting postgraduate students who remain in the city year-round.

Professor Kieran Fernandes, our Business School Executive Dean and co-host of the event, acknowledged 60 years of world-class education, cutting-edge research, and impact to support growth and effective policy. He spoke about the Business School’s history, from being launched in support of the then-Government’s Industrial Strategy, and its current work, including excellence in space research and place among the world’s one per cent of elite business schools to enjoy triple accreditation – from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Association of MBAs (AMBA), and Equis. 

‘Instrumental in my career’

Finally, Victoria Russell-Smallwood, a Business School graduate who has held senior positions at BT, Vodafone, and now Amazon Web Services, spoke of how studying for an MBA had been instrumental in helping her drive success in customer innovation, employee engagement, and operational excellence; and equipped her with adaptability and confidence.

The MBA alumni network will offer MBA graduates the opportunity to connect and support one another as they continue their careers.

The event also saw the launch of ‘Innovation in the North’, a new report from the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and our Business School, that maps the North of England’s innovation ecosystem and calls on the UK Government to back a £6 billion-a-year boost to innovation in the region.

Find out more

• Explore our world-leading Business School.
• Read more about Professor Kieran Fernandes.
• Find out more about the Innovation in the North report.
• For more information, please contact Lucian Hudson, Executive Director, Communications and External Relations, or Mark Tallentire, Deputy Head of Communications and Engagement (External), via: communications.team@durham.ac.uk.