news 9


New director leads the way on student experience


Respected academic, business management consultant and author Dr Michael Nieto has joined Southampton Solent University as director of the new School of Business, Law and Communications


At the forefront of his vision is a determination to give students the best possible start to their careers and to engage with the local business community to ensure the university delivers employability skills for the future.


“I want to see students maximise their potential so they leave us as really self- confident graduates who are highly satisfied with their university experience, and go out to get good jobs and tell everyone about the contribution the university has made to their career,” said Dr Nieto.


Well-known for his expertise in higher education and human resources management, Dr Nieto has recently reviewed the postgraduate and undergraduate programmes in the business and management faculty at Regent's University, London.


With a doctorate in leadership, he also has a strong track record as a professional senior manager and consultant for a number of well- known organisations, including Virgin, Rank Xerox, Omega Watches and IBM.


Much of his work has focused on business performance, improvement and development and, as he explains, he believes his skills will add real value to the university.


“I received a very warm welcome at Southampton Solent University,” he said. “Ultimately, this is about the people experience being at the centre of everything we do. The focus is very much on our students


'Helping colleagues to work together and share good practice and skills will deliver better student experiences ...'


and how they learn, their experiences and the real world application of their courses.


“And, in order for the university to thrive in the higher education environment, we need to be a high-quality provider who gives students what they want, which is value, employability and excellence.”


Dr Nieto joined the university in early June and his new role sees him head up the newly-combined School of Business, Law and Communications, which officially launches on August 1. He believes the change will bring major benefits for both the university itself and, most importantly, for the students.


“It enables us to progress the great work done so far and create new opportunities for staff and students,” he continued.


“Helping colleagues to work together and share good practice and skills will deliver better student experiences and, by taking a more business-focused approach, we will be able to create an open door for the kind of knowledge and skills gathered, giving our students an essential professional advantage when applying for jobs.


“Although it is early days, the response from everyone has been very positive. It's all about


getting people around the table, coming up with energising ideas and considering how we can improve what is already a very good student-centred experience.


“I know a lot of time and effort has gone into creating the vibrant programmes currently available and all staff should be very proud of their achievements. This new approach is a great opportunity to build on that work and create a bright future for the school.”


An academic fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Dr Nieto is also a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and says the university's existing CMI accreditation is “fantastic”.


Having published three books on management and human resources, Dr Nieto has also worked for a number of different universities and been responsible for overseeing graduate and postgraduate partnerships across Europe.


He is passionate about building strong links with businesses, not just in and around Southampton, but also further afield.


“I am looking forward to sharing our successes and working more closely with the business community here in Southampton and across the southern region, as well as up to the Thames Valley and beyond,” he concluded.


“I see this university as a spoke in the hub of a really engaged business community and as having a very engaged student-focused environment, providing great employability and commercial experience.


“The new school gives us a great opportunity to provide high-quality new graduates for employers and I want to get out and about and find out what businesses are looking for from future employees.


It's about consulting


and involving them so we can make sure we do everything we can to deliver what they are looking for.”


023-8201-3000 news@solent.ac.uk www.solent.ac.uk


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH COAST – JULY/AUGUST 2016


businessmag.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52