come e b o t g n i r Aspi
the of the Year 2013
university
Sponsored by The National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE)
May bulletin pullout.indd 1
08/04/2013 13:40
Foreword At Anglia Ruskin we are embedding entrepreneurial awareness at all levels. From ensuring that Enterprising modules, workshops and seminars are available for all students to encouraging and supporting staff to engage with businesses through our Centre for Enterprise Development and Research (CEDAR). Most importantly, we ensure that all staff and students have the opportunity to access resources and partnerships that can support them to become our entrepreneurial leaders of the future. Our goal to become the THE Entrepreneurial University of the Year is an opportunity to synthesise the wide range of activities across Anglia Ruskin, and to celebrate the exciting initiatives taking place. It further strengthens our commitment to the agenda and is the natural progression on our journey. I hope all staff and students can embrace this aspiration and support us to move towards achieving this goal.
Professor Lesley Dobree
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic)
2 May bulletin pullout.indd 2
08/04/2013 13:40
Introduction Our aims are to:
The THE Entrepreneurial University of the Year Award, sponsored by the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE), is an award that recognises HE excellence in demonstrating how institutional leadership and a strong entrepreneurial culture can create an environment that nurtures our staff and students to be enterprising and entrepreneurial. This has led to entrepreneurial impact at regional, national and international levels.
n Push boundaries, take risks, and be courageous; nN urture and empower staff and students so that they have the employability skills and knowledge to become entrepreneurs of the future;
By raising awareness amongst staff and highlighting the range of activities and projects that are already under way, we will ensure Anglia Ruskin is recognised as a university of the twenty-first century with an enterprising and entrepreneurial ethos embedded throughout.
n F orm successful partnerships with employers and businesses to drive forward innovation;Â n I nfluence the external environment and contribute to economic growth. The following examples of enterprising practice are just a taster of what we have to offer, and highlight how far-reaching our activities are and their impact on staff and students at all levels.
3 May bulletin pullout.indd 3
08/04/2013 13:40
The Centre for Enterprise Development and Research (CEDAR) Who are we and what do we do?
Enterprise Development – Internal
At CEDAR we blend theory and practice to create knowledge, improve understanding and challenge thinking in the area of enterprise and entrepreneurial management. This is achieved through a core team of academics working in close collaboration with a wider team of about 40 worldclass entrepreneurs. Our aim is to be recognised as a world-class university enterprise centre, or as Peter Taylor, CEO and joint founder of TTP and Chair of CEDAR, puts it: ‘In 10 years time we want a $1bn Cambridge company to say “We did it the CEDAR way.”
CEDAR is helping drive the university student enterprise agenda through initiatives like The Big Pitch (www.thebigptich.co.uk) – our annual business planning competition with total prize money of £30k plus one year’s business mentoring; The Little Pitch (www.thelittlepitch.co.uk) – an ideas-generation competition to win £140 for submitting a business idea in 140 characters or fewer; and student mentoring through the StartupLab. CEDAR entrepreneurs currently mentor 34 student start-up business ideas. To support this work, CEDAR is creating student enterprise officers, thereby placing enterprise and entrepreneurship at the heart of our student community.
Pedagogy
The CEDAR Enterprise Fellowship Scheme has received £87,500 from a private benefactor that has been used to support eight new start-ups in the Cambridge region coupled with mentoring, financial and legal support.
The BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management Degree, in its fifth year, is a highly innovative undergraduate course that combines theory with practice, by embedding the experiences of enterprising people in the design, development and delivery of the degree programme. The degree engages students to develop a mindset for dealing with unpredictability and uncertainty, as they improve their enterprising and entrepreneurial skills with learning by doing projects. Students gain hands-on experience with world-class entrepreneurs from a wide range of businesses; from fast growing start-ups to global corporates, offering the chance to work on real-world commercial challenges.
Enterprise Development – International International development work is central to CEDAR. Through the threeyear ANTREMAN, CEDAR academics and entrepreneurs have worked with the Romanian Academy of Economic Studies to create a new School in Entrepreneurship. Using the BA (Hons) as a template, 123 new businesses will be created by October 2013. ‘Growth Beyond Borders’ is a five-year project starting 1 June to promote entrepreneurship within South Africa. Funded by ABSA, CEDAR will collaborate with Stellenbosch University, a Venture Capital and training company to develop international trading capacity for 30 entrepreneurs. A strong research element ensures that academic learning underpins the tangible benefits to the entrepreneurs. The programme will then be rolled out across Sub-Saharan Africa to 2017.
Final year BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management students at a charity auction organised for Help for Heroes as part of the programme which raised £9,800.
Research Research is a key part of the activities of CEDAR as a University Centre and part of the academic enterprise community. We currently support four bursary PhD students working in: Entrepreneurial cognition and the impact on organisational growth; the applicability of mainstream opportunity theory to social entrepreneurship; systemic barriers to international entrepreneurship in South Africa; and performance measurement systems in international SMEs. Over the past five years, CEDAR has undertaken a number of research projects at a regional, national and international level, the outcomes of which have been converted by its staff in conference papers, journal articles and books.
P rof Lester Lloyd-Reason with Judi Sandrock of MEDO and two students from the BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management course in South Africa as part of a UK Trade and Investment-funded project to promote entrepreneurship in South Africa.
4 May bulletin pullout.indd 4
08/04/2013 13:40
CAse studies Glazing Vision Our Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Team has a prestigious track record of achieving significant results with ambitious, forward-thinking companies. Every project is bespoke and driven by strategic business aims, from designing new products to improving existing ones; introducing systems and technology to enhancing processes. One outcome is common: leaving the organisation self-sufficient to build on the programme’s success.
key targets. We have established a calculation method that works for the core products, identified the suitable calculation methodology to use, and trained staff in all aspects of thermal modelling. Jeremy Dunn, Technical Director, Glazing Vision, Norfolk said: “We wanted to save external costs, but the benefits go wider than that. By establishing an industry standard, we’ll offer an even better service to our customers and better inform architects, generating further business and cementing our market-leading position.”
The KTP Team, led by Simon Daly (pictured above), worked closely with Glazing Vision, manufacturers of innovative glass roof-lights, on three transformative knowledge transfer projects. The first project won an entrepreneurial award. The company’s third project with us is to derive a single way to calculate thermal performance across its range. In a very short time span, we have hit
Dr Sathish Nammi (left) and Jeremy Dunn, Technical Director of Glazing Vision.
Working with Ridgeons (Degrees at Work) Ridgeons is a family owned business with deep roots in East Anglia. Founded in 1911, Ridgeons has grown steadily to become one of the UK’s largest independent builders’ merchants with 26 locations across the East of England. It remains a forward-thinking family business with strong values.
company. The course was delivered through a blend of work-based and campus-based learning.
Ridgeons inspires loyalty – many members of staff join the company from school without having formal higher-level education. However, Ridgeons operates in an increasingly complex and competitive environment, and needed to equip managers with the skills required to adapt and thrive. Rather than bring in new talent, Ridgeons is committed to developing its own people.
Despite the fact that the vast majority of learners had no previous experience of higher education, and were working full time while also studying, the 15 learners graduated from the Foundation Degree in October 2012 with flying colours. During the course, learners have worked on projects that directly support Fran Liston, who, since Ridgeons’ business needs.
Degrees at Work worked with Ridgeons to develop a fast-track Foundation Degree, FdA Management (Work Based), which would enable staff to build key management skills, identifying areas that were particularly important to the
“Everyone on the course is now looking at their job and the company in a different light, which is exactly what we wanted.” Chris Greaves, HR Director.
completing the course, has been promoted to Showroom Manager at Ridgeons.
VERU VERU is our Vision and Eye Research Unit. Acting as a focus for research and development in this area, VERU brings together leading authorities in the field, where expertise and resource can be focused directly on some of the pressing challenges. By working closely with the optical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as key NHS partners, VERU is in a unique position to understand the needs of patients, service providers and private sector companies.
“The valuable research conducted with Anglia Ruskin University assisted UltraVision greatly in designing a successful, life-changing contact lens for thousands of patients.” Anna Smith, Marketing Executive, UltraVision, Bedfordshire.
A particular example is the work that they have done (in collaboration with the Department of Vision and Hearing Sciences), with UltraVision CLPL, which is a specialist designer and manufacturer of corrective contact lenses,supplying hospitals and eye-care professionals worldwide.
“ Our research helped establish protocols to evaluate the new lens against its peers in a clinical trial setting,” adds Professor Shahina Pardhan, Director of Anglia Ruskin University’s Vision & Eye Research Unit.
“We wanted to develop the use of Silicone Hydrogel in a new design, and approached Anglia Ruskin University to provide clinical expertise and facilities to support us,” says John Clamp, the company’s Chief Operating Officer. “The outcome from the project has been extremely positive. In fact, the findings have driven several new product designs which have gone on to benefit the company and its clients.” UltraVision received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation for one of these designs.
P rofessor Shahina Pardhan, Director of VERU (right) said: “Our research helped to establish protocols to evaluate the new lens against its peers in a clinical trials setting.”
5 May bulletin pullout.indd 5
08/04/2013 13:40
The Big Pitch winner 2012
MedBic The Anglia Ruskin University Medical Business Innovation Centre (MedBIC) is an exciting partnership with Essex County Council and Chelmsford City Council. The Centre will drive the creation of a significant number of new jobs and start-up businesses, and create a supportive and active sector network of businesses across Greater Essex and beyond. The £6-million hub will open in spring 2014, and is expected to be home to up to 78 businesses and create 120 jobs in its first three years of operation. Through the wider activities associated with the Centre, at least a further 220 businesses will be assisted in terms of the development and growth. The Anglia Ruskin University MedBIC will house a suite of engineering research laboratories, 1,000m2 of office and meeting space, business support services, and a student enterprise incubation space called the StartupLab. Professor Michael Thorne, our Vice Chancellor said: “Our aim is that the Anglia Ruskin University MedBIC, combined with the Anglia Ruskin MedTech Campus, will help Essex become a world-renowned centre of excellence for innovation, specialising in near-market developments in the medical technology sector.”
L aszlo Csiba, The Original Truffle Company.
The Big Pitch is now in its third year. It is our own Business Planning Competition where students upload a one-minute video of their business idea and invite the public to vote. Following the voting, the videos are scrutinised by our specialist judges and 25 selected to take part in round two, where the students are supported and skilled in the art of putting together a business plan, and groomed to present in the final to a number of ‘dragons’.
Anglia Ruskin Clinical Trials Unit
This year’s winner had not been announced by the time this issue went to press. However, this is what last year’s winner had to say: ‘I would strongly encourage anybody who has a bright business idea to enter The Big Pitch – it is the perfect place to start and you have nothing to lose but plenty to gain. You will have all the support you need to start up your own business from members of staff and specialist practitioners to mentor you. It is a great practical experience and an invaluable addition to your academic studies, it’s great for your own personal development too. You will improve on your time-management skills, plan effectively, work as a team and much more.’
The Anglia Ruskin Clinical Trials Unit (ARCTU) was launch in May last year. Unique amongst university-led units, ARCTU is a cooperative of the Postgraduate Medical Institute (PMI) and NHS Trusts in Essex and Hertfordshire. Working with commercial sponsors and aspiring researchers, ARCTU will bring academic rigour, at a commercial standard, to scientifically important health research. James Hampton-Till, Director, ARCTU explains: “In the past, commercial research companies have intentionally overlooked our region in the absence of a central coordinating presence. ARCTU will provide that single point of contact.”
Since winning the £15,000 first prize, Laszlo Csiba has bought a van and some equipment so that he can present his company at local food fairs. The Market in Cambridge regularly sees produce from The Original Truffle Company, where Laszlo and his team aim to get customer feedback and, of course, make money. They are now concentrating on developing their marketing strategy including their branding and web design. The future is exciting for The Original Truffle Company team, who aim to grow truffles locally, and to complete their dream to open their own restaurant.
This has already had a positive impact and, in August 2012, ARCTU was officially recognised as the 17th UK Quintiles Partner Site. Quintiles is the world’s largest Contract Research Organisation delivering commercial clinical research across 60 countries. James Brooke, Quintile’s Director WEA Prime Site Management Integrated Site Services, has said that ARCTU holds a “unique position within the partner network due to the foresight and vision of the participant members through Anglia Ruskin University”. ARCTU is the first partnership of its kind. Ruth Jackson, Director of the PMI, said: “It has always been our intention to deliver high-quality research that is centred on the patient, their care and experience. Clinical trials are the delivery mechanism for this translational research agenda.” The work of the Unit will not be limited to a particular speciality or methodology. Instead, ARCTU will deliver mixed-methods research along the care pathway from ill-health prevention and primary care, mental health and community services to acute hospital and specialist tertiary care.
6 May bulletin pullout.indd 6
08/04/2013 13:40
stuDent servIces student services, employability Service – focus on enterprise and entrepreneurship The Employability Service, as part of the THE Leadership and Management Awards (THELMA) winning Student Services department, organised the 2012 StartUp Britain bus tour to visit Anglia Ruskin University in October 2012. The aim of the campaign was to inspire and support young people who are interested in starting their own business. As part of the tour, the Employability Service, in conjunction with the Entrepreneurship Enterprise Support Programme and Research Development and Commercial Services (RDCS), invited business advisors and successful entrepreneurs from the local area to participate in the event. Around 20 local business owners, managers and advisers were available on the day to discuss the practicalities of setting up a business and to relate their own experiences. Students were also able to get information on start-up loans and take away a pack of useful information. This was also a great opportunity for them to practice their networking skills and forge new contacts.
supporting student engagement Traditionally, enterprise and entrepreneurship education has been available through business schools. However, as current students might not be in a position to undertake their chosen career at the end of their study, increasingly they will need the skills, knowledge and understanding to become more enterprising and even consider setting up their own business, being totally entrepreneurial.
In addition to the tour bus, talks were organised by Sarah Janes, Faculty Employability Adviser, on “The Benefits of Effective Networking” which was delivered by Siobanne Costello of Women in Business Networking (WIBN) and Richard Tack of Breakfast for Business (BB) networking group, and “Helping your business succeed” delivered by Lisa Burdett of CKLG Accountants.
Therefore, to encourage students from across all Faculties to engage with the enterprise and entrepreneurial agenda, we are setting up the Anglia Ruskin ‘Startup’ Hub based around the other Startup@anglia activities already offered and undertaken by our students and staff. Gary Packham, Deputy Dean of Lord Ashcroft International Business School, has been driving this initiative with support from Research, Development & Commercial Services and the Students’ Union.
The Employability Service focuses on providing opportunities for our students to engage with employers and to improve their employability skills. The service has dedicated Faculty Employability Advisers whose role is to forge links with employers and to support students to make the transition into employment, self-employment or to start their own business. The Service also has a temporary employment agency, The Employment Bureau, which offers students the opportunity to earn while they learn, and a team of Qualified Careers Advisers who are able to provide guidance on career decision-making.
Using the Startup@anglia umbrella and the two StatupLabs in Cambridge and Chelmsford as a physical focus for activities, we will recruit Student Enterprise Officers (one per Faculty) in Cambridge, Chelmsford and Peterborough. Our Student Enterprise Officers will be true ambassadors on the ground, equipped with the latest iPads and customised hoodies, they will be trained in the necessary communication skills to enthuse and encourage others to become tomorrow’s leaders.
Student Services
7 May bulletin pullout.indd 7
08/04/2013 13:40
the JourneY contInues... It is not difficult to cite many examples of the enterprising and entrepreneurial activities that go on at Anglia Ruskin; the stories related here are just a taster. However, we must continue to progress with new and challenging initiatives in order to support the ambitions of our corporate plan 2012/14. Many of you have sent in information about the enterprising activities you are undertaking, either individually or as a team, and we will showcase these in the future as we continue to highlight our enterprising and entrepreneurial achievements in forthcoming issues of Bulletin. Our journey towards becoming the THE Entrepreneurial University of the Year has only just begun. We welcome everyone to contribute towards our goal, and with your help we will succeed. For more information on THE Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2013, please contact Marcia Baldry. Email: marcia.baldry@anglia.ac.uk
e m o c e b o t Aspiring
the of the Year 2013
May bulletin pullout.indd 8
university
08/04/2013 13:40