Recorded live at Ulster University’s new Belfast campus, in this episode Wendy Austin explores how Degree Apprenticeships are being used by local employers within the services sectors to attract, engage and upskill talent. Featuring Andy McKibbin (Partner, Deloitte), Rory McFadden (Senior Analyst, Deloitte), Darren Burrows (Founder and CEO, Funds-Axis), Stacey Irvine-Herald (Senior HR Business Partner, Danske Bank) and Clark Barnes (Project Analyst, Danske Bank ..read more

In this episode, Wendy Austin sits down with Justin Urquhart Stewart, Co-Founder of Seven Investment Management and Business Commentator, Professor Gillian Armstrong, Associate Dean, Development and Partnerships (Domestic), Ulster University Business School and Kevin Kelly, Co-Owner of the Management and Leadership Network to explore leadership trends and what this means for managers and leaders in Northern Ireland. This episode was recorded live at Ulster University's new Belfast campus ahead of the Management and Leadership Network's 20th Anniversary Gala ..read more

What is the future for a sustainable higher education? In this episode recorded live at the new Academy Restaurant (Ulster University), Wendy Austin speaks to Stephen Spinelli, President of Babson College, Tina Mc Kenzie, Chair, FSB, Roger Pollen, Head of External Affairs NI, FSB and Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean at the Ulster University Business School to discuss the future of higher education and the value of strategic partnerships in this new era ..read more

From bridging higher level skills gaps to improving organisational productivity, Degree Apprenticeships provide valuable opportunities to recruit new talent and upskill in key sectors of the economy. In this episode, host Wendy Austin speaks to Deborah Stevenson, People and Operations Director at PwC UK, Judith Wylie, Senior Lecturer at Ulster University Business School, Dermot Dempster, Managing Director, Clonallon Laboratories LTD and former apprentice, Johnny Mooney, Consultant, Deloitte to help demystify the world of degree-level apprenticeships for young people and businesses ..read more

In the first episode of series two, Wendy Austin is joined by Diane Dodds, Minister for the Economy, John Healy (OBE), Vice President & Managing Director, Allstate NI and Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean at Ulster University Business School to discuss how increased investment in skills development and research and innovation will help power Northern Ireland's rebuilding agenda ..read more

The pandemic has challenged businesses across all sectors to think differently and create new value in imaginative ways. In this episode, Wendy Austin speaks to Natalie Nixon, President Creative Strategist at Figure8 Thinking and Author of the Creativity Leap and Dr Michael Brennan, Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management at UUBS about how creativity can pave the way for innovation and open up a new world of possibilities for businesses ..read more

Wendy Austin is joined by Ian Yeoman, Tourism Futurologist and Visiting Professor of Ulster University Business School, Marianne Hood, Chair of Institute of Hospitality NI and Una McMahon-Beattie, Head of Department for Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ulster University Business School to discuss the future of hospitality and tourism in light of COVID-19, the main challenges facing the industry and key trends that will help drive the sector forward.  ..read more

From spotting gaps in our skills and knowledge to reinventing our careers entirely, the pandemic has prompted many of us to hit the pause button and reflect on our futures. Host Wendy Austin is joined by a number of remarkable UUBS alumni who have done amazing things following their time at UU. We hear about their interesting career journeys, personal successes and why postgraduate study is the ideal building block to help you maximise your career potential.   ..read more

It's no secret that small-medium sized businesses form the backbone of the Northern Ireland economy, with family-run enterprises making up seventy-four percent of businesses across the region and contributing significantly to employment opportunities and the welfare of local communities. Wendy Austin is joined by Ian Smyth, Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Ulster University Business School, Darren McDowell, Senior Partner at Harbinson Mulholland and Paul Black, Chief Executive at Alpha Group, to discuss how SMEs, in particular family-owned firms, have fared over the last year and how b ..read more

Even during a global pandemic, businesses are still innovating and demonstrating their entrepreneurial spirit. In this episode, Wendy Austin speaks to Dr Kristel Miller, Senior Lecturer at Ulster University Business School, Ciaran Doherty, General Manager of Huhtamaki Foodservice UK and Gareth Irvine, founder of Copeland Gin Distillery, who share real-life experiences of pivoting business models and repurposing operations in an effort to survive.  ..read more