As new Assistant Dean (Business Engagement) in Teesside University Business School, Sue will be working to develop foundations already forged to create links with the business community across the region.
She joins Teesside University from Lancaster University Management School in Lancashire, where she worked for around 11 years. Prior to that Sue worked in the private sector as a research manager.
Her role at Teesside University will focus on developing business engagement, with Sue’s interests in leadership development and small businesses.
She said: 'My work at Lancaster involved leading the knowledge exchange work, focusing on enterprise activities. My role mainly involved developing leadership for small businesses.
'This work had a real economic impact which led to it becoming Government backed and eventually rolled-out in a £10 million programme across the North West, training other universities and private training companies to run those activities.
'The programme was also rolled-out across a wider area and continues to run across London and the South West. It created a positive impact on businesses across the UK and it’s the kind of thing I would want to look at developing here.'
Originally from Kent, Sue studied at Southampton, then Lancaster. She added: 'My career route was through the commercial sector, working with a lot of small businesses and blue chip companies. Lancaster University started to focus more on business and I made the move into academia.'
Sue added: 'While at Lancaster I also completed a part-time PhD looking at how small businesses learn leadership. My real interest is looking to academic theory in practice and how I can inform practice and make a difference to regional business.
'Before coming to Teesside I knew of the area’s industrial heritage and history and one of the things which attracted me to Teesside University was how it prides itself on its business engagement activities.
'I saw my initial move into higher education as an ideal bridge between academia and real world practice and I see universities as having a responsibility to the region they are located. Teesside University is in the ideal area for this to take place.'
Sue added: 'Higher education as a sector has changed and is changing and I want to ensure we’re continuing to be responsive to these changes. I will drive the business engagement agenda within the Business School, developing and building on the success and growing it to have further impact.
'I’ll also be looking at ways we can further utilise the Darlington campus, which is a great facility for corporate activity. I’m also looking to develop different activities to meet the needs of business, from short courses to accredited programmes.' She added: 'Since arriving at Teesside University I’ve received a really warm welcome, which has been very positive and really helped me to settle in. It’s a really positive environment, which I’m sure will help me to make my job easier and help to make things happen.'