Micro MBA

Trevor is Chester MBA Director with He is involved in the programme development, teaching, and supervision of Postgraduate Research, Postgraduate Taught, and Undergraduate Students across the faculty. He is part of the International Student Working Group committee, and other key committees within the university. 
 
Gozde is Programme leader and researcher. She focuses on smart tourism and tourism technologies, tourist behaviour and destination marketing. She is also serving as an assistant editor of Journal of Global Business Insights and assistant editor for social media of Journal Hospitality and Tourism Insights.  

Alex is Associate Dean for International in the faculty of Science, business and enterprise and Associate Professor with a strong track record in teaching, research and knowledge exchange.  
 
In this opening session, we introduce the Micro MBA, the sessions and plan and take on board audience questions in preparation for the start of the programme. 

Kurt is Professor of Enterprise and is Executive Dean for the Faculty of Science Business and Enterprise. Over his extensive career he has been responsible for business engagement and commercialisation activities as well as general executive duties. His business engagement portfolio is extensive, having worked with over 5,000 SMEs as part of European Structural Investment Fund initiatives totaling almost £30M.

Session Overview 
In this engaging session, Kurt delves into the critical importance of strategy in the success of organizations, with a special emphasis on its relevance for businesses operating in the dynamic and competitive global marketplace. Recognising that strategy is the backbone of any successful organization, Kurt will guide you through the essentials of strategic planning and business model development, helping you to grasp the core elements that formulate effective strategies.  
Through a review of various strategic models, you will not only learn about the theoretical frameworks that underpin successful strategies but also gain practical insights into how to apply these models in real-world scenarios. This session is designed to empower you with the skills needed to analyse organizations from a strategic perspective, enabling you to craft strategies that are not only robust but also adaptable to the ever-evolving business landscape. 
 This session will equip you with the strategic acumen necessary to navigate and lead in both local and international business environments to drive growth, innovation, and competitive advantage in any industry. This session will be invaluable in your journey toward becoming a visionary business leader. 

Kirstie Simpson is Associate Professor and Dean of Chester Business School. Her research focusses on organisational leadership and character. She started her career in sports development for excluded communities and their access to becoming and staying active. She has extensive external contact with a variety of organisations and is also the Secretary General for the European Observatoire for Sport and Employment. 

Session Overview
The first session focuses on the vital aspects of Organisational Leadership and Character, offering insights that are essential for aspiring leaders. You'll learn to understand organizations just as you would an individual, identifying key strengths and areas for improvement. This knowledge is crucial for driving effective organisational change. Different organizations approach changes and transition in unique ways, with varying degrees of internal and external focus. Kirstie introduces the Bridges framework, which adapts the Myers-Briggs personality test to assess and improve an organisation’s character. By applying this approach, you’ll be equipped to enhance and grow organizations, especially during times of change. You'll also gain valuable insights into overcoming resistance, identifying barriers, and seizing opportunities—skills that are critical for successful leadership and management. This session offers a deep dive into the nuances of organisational leadership and character, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in today’s dynamic business environment. 
 

Julieanna Powell Turner is Professor in Environmental Sustainability, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, and the Director of the Centre for Research into Environmental Science and Technology (CREST). Providing strategic leadership to the University ensuring activities align with the strategic goals of the university. As a Senior Leader in the Faculty, she is responsible for shaping, implementing, and delivering the University's Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy.  She has taught and researched environmental sustainability for over 2 decades and has successfully secured considerable external funding, published in the academic and government press, and seen numerous PhD's through to completion. 

Session Overview
Imagine a world where businesses are not only profitable but also drivers of positive change for people and the planet. This session explores how organisations can balance growth with environmental and social responsibility delving into the principles of Sustainable Operations while remaining competitive in today’s dynamic marketplace. Through industry examples, you’ll see how businesses are integrating sustainability into their day-to-day operations, transforming challenges into opportunities. 
 
The session will also discuss the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global blueprint for addressing the world’s most pressing issues, including poverty, climate change, and inequality. You’ll discover how industries are aligning their strategies with key SDGs like clean energy, climate action, and responsible production, ensuring long-term success while contributing to global well-being. Sustainability is no longer a choice, but a business imperative. It is crucial for leaders to integrate sustainability into decision-making, positioning your organisations for success in a world increasingly defined by environmental and social demands. 

David is Associate Professor and Head of the Accounting and Finance Division within the Faculty of Science, Business and Enterprise (SBE). His leadership has made his division one of the most vibrant and visible within the University community. With two decades of teaching experience in higher education, he has made significant contributions in learning and teaching through programme development, quality assurance and postgraduate research delivery.

Session Overview 
David explores the finance industry covering key topics such as global financial markets, investment strategies, risk management, and emerging trends in fintech. Special attention will be given to the role of organisations economic approaches in a turbulent global financial ecosystem, along with practical advice on navigating international finance. 

With over 15 years of experience in supply chain management consulting, Ceri is passionate about enhancing supply chain capabilities, optimising operations, and fostering high-performance organisations. As a company Partner and the learning and development lead at SC Excellence Ltd, she applies strategic mindset and deep supply chain expertise to deliver tailored learning solutions across various industries. She has a strong record in designing and implementing engaging training and development programs, facilitating leadership workshops, and conducting thorough training needs assessments. Additionally, Ceri develops digital content to support staff development and continuous improvement programs, backed by a solid academic background and professional certifications. 

Session Overview 
This engaging session will provide a unique blend of practical insights and strategic approaches to optimising operations and building high-performance learning organisations. Participants will explore key supply chain challenges, learn about innovative solutions, and gain an understanding of how digital tools and training platforms can drive efficiency and continuous improvement. This session promises to equip you with valuable knowledge to understand the critical role of optimising the supply chain through cultural change and people development. 

Morven is Professor of Sustainability and Marketing Ethics in the Faculty of Science Business and Enterprise. Building on a career in the agri-food industry, her extensive experience in academia has involved responsibility for sustainability research centres, teaching and learning, accreditation for responsible management education and doctoral research. Her areas of academic research revolve around the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health & Well Being) and 12 (Responsible Production & Consumption) and her publications, texts and blogs can be accessed here. 

Session Overview
In this session, Morven aims to discuss the relevance and breadth of Marketing as a discipline and its importance to the success of organisations. Through a review of various Marketing theories and models, you will not only learn about the theoretical frameworks that underpin both B2B and Consumer Behaviour strategies but through insights from her own research, gain practical insights into how to apply these models in real-world business and management scenarios. This session will also touch upon the innovative uptake of research methodologies as a Marketing tool to secure valuable marketplace insights that enable businesses to adapt to current trends, innovate products/services and secure a competitive advantage in the marketplace. 

Alex Fenton is Associate Dean for International and Associate Professor of the faculty of Science, Business & Enterprise at the University of Chester. He is the author of several popular books and journal papers on digital transformation, digital marketing and online culture which includes Strategic Digital Transformation – A Results Driven approach with Routledge. Having run commercial digital development organisations for 10 years, Alex blends digital industry practise with theoretical insights. He has won numerous digital industry and teaching awards and regularly publishes practical digital transformation research in some of the world’s top publications and journals.  

Session Overview
This session delves into the exciting realm of strategic digital transformation, focusing on building organisations that are both people-focused and data-driven. You'll explore the impact of cutting-edge technologies like AI, VR, and Blockchain, and how they can be applied in real-world business scenarios. We will cover the critical aspects of digital maturity and the development of data-driven strategies within organisations that understand and prioritise people. In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, digital transformation is not just an option but a necessity for staying competitive and survival. By understanding different levels of digital maturity, you'll gain the insights needed to identify opportunities for innovation, change and business improvement. 
 
This session is an invitation to embark on a transformative journey towards digital excellence, where the fusion of digital innovation, data, and human-centric approaches will shape the future of business. This session offers the tools and knowledge to lead the way in the digital age, positioning you at the forefront of business innovation.