Visiting Professors at Ulster University Business School

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Ulster University Business School are delighted to appoint a number of high-profile visiting professors who perform a variety of activities with the aim of enriching student experience, developing curriculum and contributing to the research activities of the School. Visiting professors are attached to Departments within the School and contribute their knowledge, expertise in a variety of different ways depending on their own strengths and expertise.

The webpage provides information on our Visiting Professoriate and gives some examples of the key role that they play in the life and development of Ulster University Business School.

Prof Mark Durkin on the value of UUBS Visiting Professor Network.

Our visiting professors

Dr Timothy S. Mescon

President Emeritus - Columbus State University, Executive-in-Residence - Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University

Ken Addley OBE

Faculty Research Champion, Faculty of Occupational Medicine

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Ken Addley OBE

Expertise

Lead the development of a five-year research strategy for the Faculty which will identifies key research questions; Collaborate with other bodies to promote research in the area of employee health, wellbeing and engagement Encourage and support the occupational health community in Ireland to undertake high quality original research; Provide a focus for researchers in the field of occupational health practice; Assist the OH community in Ireland in the development of appropriate audit activities. Fellow of Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Ireland Fellow of Faculty Occupational Medicine, UK Fellow Royal College of Physicians, Ireland

Role at Ulster University

I have a close engagement with senior lecturer Dr Robert Kerr in the Ulster Business School and also as part of the wider research and publication work we have carried out.

Most recently a jointly authored chapter on mental health issues at work in an internationally published book on occupational health practice.

I have given guest presentations on the benefits of employee wellbeing and employee engagement to Master’s students at the UU as well as a research seminar delivered in Dublin jointly with a lecturer from UU to specialist trainees of the Royal College of Physicians.

I have been an active participant in the Northern Ireland Wellbeing Longitudinal Study [Stormont Study] established in 2011, to investigate the impact of social and occupational factors on employee engagement, wellbeing and performance over a two year period.

A multi-disciplinary research team including academics from University of Ulster [Ulster Business School] Loughborough University [School of Business & Economics] and Nottingham University [Inst of Work, Health & Organisations].

There have been over 15 Publications and conference proceedings in the field of employee wellbeing and engagement to date from this collaboration.

Research Excellence Framework 2014: Advancing HR practice through employee wellbeing strategies - I have been associated with this Impact Case Study which contributed to the University of Ulster Business and Management Unit of Assessment (UoA) having 98% of its research recognised as international in terms of originality, significance and rigour in the REF 2014.

Grainne Allen

Director of Food Innovation, McDonalds UK&I

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Grainne Allen

Professor Allen plays a considerable role on the BSc Hons Consumer Management and Food Innovation programme and helps to provide work based projects for students to work on with high profile companies.

She has helped to develop new modules on courses using her industry expertise and has also guided final year students when considering employment opportunities in the food industry.

Simon Bridge

Author and researcher, Board member on several third sector (community or arts) organisations.

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Simon Bridge

I provide expert guest lectures on enterprise (for UU and several other HE establishments) – and discussions with interested staff. In this I try to provide a fresh perspective (and therefore an opportunity for UU leadership?) and my particular current focus is on the need to reassess some of the assumptions we have made (and which underpin some of our enterprise policy) but which appear on closer inspection to be questionable at best. Therefore correcting these could provide useful new insights.

Robert Fitzpatrick

Chief Executive, The Odyssey Trust Company Ltd

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Robert Fitzpatrick

Provide expert guest lectures in performance management and organisational change.

Provide mentoring for undergraduate students on business studies courses.

Committed to representing the opportunity to promote study abroad across all of the NCAA colleges through our contacts with the commissioners and athletic directors of the participating colleges.

Anthony Harbison

Director of Access to Justice, Department of Justice Director of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service

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Anthony Harbison

Expertise

A professional Accountant and from Global President of ACCA and Chair of the CCAB Prof. Harbinson is a leading advocate for the development of ethics standards in the finance and accounting as well as the combatting of organised crime. He has also held a number of senior policy roles within Whitehall and the NI Civil Service.

Role at Ulster University

Prof. Harbinson contributes to the dissemination of various research and professional education related activities in the Business School. He has supported the dissemination of research in the area of gender equality issues and is a module coordinator on the university’s MPA course. Prof Harbinson has also organised and hosted several events for students and staff in Stormont.

Professor Julie Hastings

Marketing Director, Hastings Hotels

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Professor Julie Hastings

Prof. Hastings contributes to specialist teaching on undergraduate and postgraduate courses, using her expertise from the hotel / hospitality industry. She provides a Hastings Hotels’ Award for Excellence in Irish Hospitality for Business School students and has also been a keynote speaker at events organised by the Department of Hospitality and Tourism. Prof Hastings promotes placements and graduate opportunities for students within Hastings Hotels and has also provided input into modules and courses to ensure they remain industry relevant.

Jackie Henry

Senior Partner, Deloitte NI

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Jackie Henry

Expertise

Jackie is the Deloitte U.K. Consulting People & Purpose Lead and the Deloitte Northern Ireland Office Senior Partner, where she has over 30 years experience. As the Consulting People & Purpose Lead, Jackie leads on the Consulting definition of Purpose. She champions the People agenda at the strategic level, including talent models, performance systems, attraction campaigns, learning programmes and listening programmes. She is a stand out role model for our people, regularly engaging internally and externally with key influencers and encouraging other leaders (at all levels) to do the same. Outside of Deloitte, Jackie was awarded an MBE for her services to the Northern Ireland economy. Additionally, Jackie is Chair of Skills Strategy Advisory Group and is an Honorary Fellow of Belfast Metropolitan College.

Role at Ulster University

Prof. Henry has worked with the Business School to develop an apprenticeship BSc Business Technology programme in conjunction with Deloitte.

Prof Henry works with the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics to ensure an employer-led curriculum and supports students on the BSc Accounting and BSc Finance and Investment courses.

Mike Johnston MBE

Derek Kennedy

Business Transformation Director, Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland

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Derek Kennedy

Expertise

Member of the Northern Ireland Strategic Investment Board

Role at Ulster University

Prof. Kennedy contributes guest lectures on the MSc Business Improvement and MBA courses, using his extensive knowledge of business transformation. He also supports students through learning sets.

Alain Kerloc'h

Restauranteur, Ox

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Alain Kerloc'h

Sharing industry experience of working in the restaurant trade with students.

Professor Lester Manley

Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Manleys Branding House, trailblazer BBQ

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Professor Lester Manley

Prof Manley presents guest lectures on marketing modules lending his experience and expertise to students. He also helps students to form into business venture teams in order to complete assignments for the Business Venture module.

Ian McConnell

Partner, PWC

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Ian McConnell

Expertise

Ian has a wide range of experience of forensic services. He has led a diverse range of investigations in relation to fraud, financial crime, regulatory compliance, financial and procurement irregularities, breaches of corporate governance and conflicts of interest. He also has an established track record of supporting law enforcement agencies in their efforts to tackle fraud and organised crime within criminal, civil recovery and tax investigations, providing specialist forensic accounting inputs, including asset tracing and asset confiscation support. Ian regularly acts as an expert accountant on financial aspects of commercial and transaction disputes, professional indemnity and personal injury claims.

Role at Ulster University

Prof McConnell has worked with the Business School to develop courses in the forensic accounting specialist area and also advises on course development to ensure they are professionally relevant. He works with students to develop employability skills and has arranged for students to visit the PWC offices and has shared his industry insights with them.

Fergal McCormack

Managing Director, PKF-FPM

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Fergal McCormack

Expertise

President of Chartered Accountants Ireland

Role at Ulster University

Prof McCormack works with Ulster University Business School on a high profile annual lecture event at which a high profile business person is interviewed to pass on his/her wisdom to an assembled audience.

Professor Niall McKenna

Restauranteur, James Street South

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Professor Niall McKenna

Prof. McKenna provides support and guidance to culinary students in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management and Academy restaurant.

He also opens his restaurant for students to visit and discuss the business aspects of running a successful culinary operation.

Professor Niall McKeown

Founder and CEO, Ionology

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Professor Niall McKeown

Prof. McKeown is one of Northern Ireland's leading digital thinkers. He has contributed to curriculum and development and also the delivery of modules. Along with Ulster University Business School's Executive Dean, Prof Mark Durkin, Niall has co-authored a book on digital business strategy.

Gordon Milligan

Deputy Chief Executive, Translink

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Gordon Milligan

Expertise

Chair Of IOD, Chair Business in the Community Workplace Leadership Team - Responsibility for Human Resources, Legal Services, Information Technology, Business Improvement, Corporate Safety and Internal Communications - Member Ministerial Roundtable on Employee Relations in Northern Ireland - Chartered Fellow of CIPD - Fellow IOD

Role at Ulster University

Lecture at MBA & Post Graduate Programmes

David Taylor

Founder of Naked Leader, Naked Leader

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David Taylor

Expertise

David works with top leaders around the world, including the CEOs from Ford, Veolia and NHS Blood and Transplant. Over 300,000 people have attended a David Taylor event, across over 50 countries. He has written books and blogs on the subject of leadership. Author of 5 best-selling books in over 30 languages - The Business Ambassador for The Princes Trust - Adviser to China’s first eco village – The Hua Tao project

Role at Ulster University

David has supported the Faculty’s Executive Team and contributes his expertise in the classroom to masters students in the Business School.

Professor Paul Wickens

Chief Executive, Dept. of Finance – Enterprise Shared Services

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Professor Paul Wickens

Expertise

Paul is the Chief Executive of Enterprise Shared Services and CIO for the Northern Ireland Civil Service. He is a Deputy Secretary and sits on the Board of the Department of Finance. ESS employs around 750 staff and provides shared services to over 25,000 users for ICT, Digital Transformation, HR, Finance, Pensions and Property Management and has won a number of significant awards. These include a EFQM 3* Award; a Top 100 placing in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For Awards; and Shared Services & Outsourcing Network (SSON) European Award for Excellence in Transformation. Paul is responsible for Digital Transformation, ICT and Cyber Strategies and he chairs the Northern Ireland Cyber Leadership Board. His career spans over 30 years in the ICT (private and public) sector – in UK and internationally. Member of British Computer Society

Role at Ulster University

Paul occasionally lectures on MSc and MBA courses and has provided guidance to a PhD student in the area of shared services. He has also guided course development to ensure graduates are getting the most relevant experience and expertise for key public sector jobs. His particular areas of expertise are Innovation, Leadership, Change Management and Shared Services.

Lee Jolliffe

Graham Gudgin

Honorary Research Associate, Centre for Business Research Judge Business Scholl,  University of Cambridge

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Graham Gudgin

Expertise

Economic Forecasting and Economic Policy Analysis. Chief Economic Advisor. Policy Exchange London.

Role at Ulster University

Supporting the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre in the area of economic forecasting.

Ian Yeoman

Associate Professor of Tourism Futures, Te Herenga Waka —Victoria University of Wellington

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Ian Yeoman

Expertise

Dr Yeoman is co-editor of the Journal of Tourism Futures and co-editor of Channelview’s Tourism Futures series. Author and editor of over twenty books, including forthcoming titles Science Fiction, Disruption (with Prof Una McMahon-Beattie) and Tourism and Global Scenarios for World Tourism. Outside the future, Ian is New Zealand’s number one Sunderland AFC fan. Visiting Professor – European Tourism Futures Institute.

Role at Ulster University

Ian works with the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management contributing his expertise on tourism futures, food tourism, climate change, artificial intelligence, digital behaviour and consumer trends.

Jennifer McKeever

Managing Director, Airporter NI

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Jennifer McKeever

Founding director of Airporter, connecting passengers between Derry/Londonderry and the Belfast Airports, and strategically involved in improving connectivity for Northern Ireland and the North West. President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce 2018. CBI (NI) Joint Business Council.

Role at Ulster University

To champion entrepreneurship and to encourage a start-up ecosystem with Ulster University and the business community.

Neil Gibson

Chief Economist, EY Ireland

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Neil Gibson

Expertise

Helping EY’s clients to understand and maximise opportunities from the changing economic landscape. Neil produces the firm’s all-island economic forecasts and is a regular media commentator. Member of the Northern Ireland Minister for the Economy’s Economic Advisory Group. Member of the Belfast Growth Commission.

Role at Ulster University

Supporting the work of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre team in their policy work and forecasting. Guest lecturing across a range of programmes on macro-economics, economic policy and the labour market.

Stephen Kelly

CEO, Manufacturing NI

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Stephen Kelly

Expertise

As CEO Stephen represents the interests of the sector to Governments in NI, UK, the EU and the US in areas which impacts on Northern Ireland’s position as a location to create, invest, grow and sustain a manufacturing business to create wealth and work. He at the forefront of NI’s business community’s actions on Brexit and response to and building from Covid. He was a member of the UK Government’s Board of Trade, UK National President of Junior Chamber and the BBC’s Broadcasting Council and is currently on the Board of a local arts based social enterprise.

Role at Ulster University

Stephen believes the relationship between business and academia has never been more important as we rebuild our economy and reach our economic ambitions. He provides a greater understanding about the needs of business both from a research and a teaching perspective, makes connections and ensure that the best thinking from UUBS is shared with our exporters and employers.

Tina McKenzie

CEO, Staffline Recruitment Ireland

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Tina McKenzie

After graduating from Ulster University and a stint with NIACRO and the Probation Board, Tina went on to pursue a successful international recruitment career, giving her over 25 years’ experience in the Recruitment and Employment Services sector, working with some of the world’s largest blue chip companies.

After returning to Northern Ireland 2013, she established Staffline Recruitment as a start-up throughout Ireland; taking the company from a standing start to a turnover of £150 million within 5 years.

This unprecedented success led to a stream of awards including the UTV Fast Business Growth Award in 2015, IOD’s Director of the Year Award in 2017 and UTV Business Eye’s Business Personality of the Year Award in 2018 and the Belfast Telegraph Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.

Tina has also volunteered much of her time to various organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses. Throughout recent years, Tina has emerged as a powerful voice for business, taking on a pivotal lobbying role on behalf of business amid ongoing Brexit negotiations and championing business needs throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tina is also serving as the Honorary Consul to Finland in Northern Ireland, responsible for promoting the economic and social connections between Finland and Britain, as well as providing consular support to Finnish citizens living in Northern Ireland. Other affiliations and roles include; UK Board member Federation of Small Businesses UK; Deputy Chair FSB UK Policy & Advocacy; and Vice President of Consular Association of Northern Ireland.

Role at Ulster University

A visiting professor at Ulster University Business School, Department of Management, Leadership and Marketing, taking on an ambassadorial role promoting aspects of the University’s activities to wider public, including delivering guest lecturers, providing critical input to the Department’s Executive Education portfolio and working closely with colleagues in the delivery of the H2GM programme.

John Stapleton

Entrepreneur, Investor, Non-Executive Director

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John Stapleton

Expertise

John is an investor & Non-Executive Director, providing value-added business growth advice, guidance and mentoring to business owners. John is a business thought leader and delivers keynotes on a range of entrepreneurial, management & motivational leadership topics: www.johnstapleton.eu In 1987 John co-founded The New Covent Garden Soup Co Ltd pioneering the fresh soup category in the UK – successfully exiting in 1998. John then brought the fresh soup concept to the US – co-founding Glencoe Foods in 1998. In 2005, John co-founded Little Dish, which supplies healthy, natural and convenient meals and snacks to children over one year old – successfully exiting in 2017.

Role at Ulster University

Bringing industry even closer to the School, supporting students' understanding of the Food & Beverage industry at large and supporting the faculty to drive even more relevance in its course offering.

Visiting Professors at Ulster University Business School

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