A new business school at Teesside University should help the area’s economy to grow, bosses say.
The £7.5m business school opened last December with an event at which companies were asked how the university could help encourage entrepreneurialism on Teesside.
Now business leaders are being urged to get behind the business school’s efforts to improve productivity and attract and retain talent.
University chancellor Paul Drechsler, a former president of the business group CBI, said: “Since I formally opened the business school in December I’ve been incredibly impressed by the momentum it has built. Pace, ambition and collaboration have been key.
“The university is a key player in this ecosystem and has set out to position the business school as pivotal to the future success, acting as a magnet for talent and a hive of ideas, innovation and inspiration.”
Projects which are already established are LEAP 50, which has been developed in conjunction with the Tees Valley Combined Authority to work with ambitious businesses looking to scale-up. The programme is aiming to support the companies which are best placed to grow the area’s economy.
In addition, the business school if offering a number of options for flexible learning delivered in collaboration with employers. These include an innovative MBA degree apprenticeship which allow aspiring senior leaders to study for a qualification and apply their knowledge in the workplace.
Dr Susan Laing, dean of the business school, said: “The elements which will make this ecosystem a success are the surrounding environment, the participating actors and the culture and attitudes.
“We are therefore delighted that so many key figures from the world of business and industry are already engaging and collaborating with us to help make this vision a reality.
“It was fantastic to welcome them back to the Business School to show them how far we have progressed with this mission since they first learnt about it six months ago.”
