University aims for top marks in management

The Duke of York (centre), chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, with vice-chancellor Prof Bob Cryan and Anne Francke, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute were presented with their framed certificates awards at a ceremony at St Paul’s Hall. Afterwards, they were congratulated by Prince Andrew, who said that the university represented a “pinnacle” of teamwork.

Ann Francke, chief executive of the CMI, praised the university’s decision to seek chartered status for all of its leaders and told how the benefits would cascade throughout the institution, especially as managers would have to ensure that they maintained their levels of capability.

“I have no doubt that the University of Huddersfield will become one of the best-managed teams in the country,” she said.

The university’s senior team includes seven who have been appointed CMI Companions – the invitation-only network for successful business leaders. This is more than any other organisation. One of the appointees is the university’s vice-chancellor Prof Bob Cryan.

He expressed his pride in the project to secure 100% chartered status and explained the thinking behind it – that all managers should pose themselves the question “what gives me the right to manage?”

Prof Cryan said: “The right qualifications are key to it and at the University of Huddersfield, we are poised to have the best-qualified management team in the HE sector.

“A strength of the CMI process is that it includes annual reviews if chartered status is to be maintained. This ensures we must all keep our practice up-to-date.

“As a result, the benchmark for managerial excellence at the University of Huddersfield is constantly being raised.”

Chartered Manager is the highest accreditation in the field of management, and is currently held by more than 6,500 professional managers working across all industries and sectors.

According to CMI research, chartered managers add an average of £391,000 of value to their employers. Managers can achieve chartered status through a number of routes, including taking CMI-backed qualifications, taking a chartered manager degree apprenticeship or demonstrating professional experience. HUDDERSFIELD-BASED public relations and communications consultant has secured a duo of new clients.

Alex Mason, of Holmfirth-based alexdmasonPR, has been appointed to deliver strategic PR and communications activity for Rastrick High School and Sixth Form and Brighouse-based card payment firm Yorkshire Payments.

Alex said: “I’m delighted to be working alongside both these new clients and look forward to supporting them in taking their communications activity to the next level.

“The staff and students at Rastrick High School have some fantastic stories to tell and I’m confident my PR experience in the education sector will help the school to achieve the recognition it deserves.

“Similarly, I am very much looking forward to supporting Yorkshire Payments and working with such a fast-growing, forward-thinking company that is passionate about strengthening our region’s economy through the creation of jobs and involvement with regional charities and sports organisations.”

Alex spent since years in brand management for Arcadia Group and worked as a senior PR account manager for a West Yorkshire agency before launching alexdmasonPR in 2017. Phil Clarke (centre), of Eaton Smith, presents the award to Richard King (second right), of Smith Brothers, with (from left) Steven Leigh, of the Mid Yorkshie Chamber of Commerce; Annie Bradley, of the Department for International Trade; and Peter Sargent, of Charlesworth Group