STUDENT PROFILES THE KENT MBA - University of Kent

30
Kent Business School The Kent MBA
Kayleigh Nicholson
Personal statement
MBA programme: Part time
Entry year: 2011
Country of Origin: England
Most recent employer:
Office of the Kent Police and
Crime Commissioner
Position Held:
Programme Manager for
Transition, Policy Officer
Industry:
Policing / Public Sector Policy
Kent Business School email:
Personal email:
Kayleigh.Nicholson@commissio
ner.kent.pnn.police.uk
Kayleigh graduated from the University of Warwick in 2007 with a 1st
Class degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). She
spent a year working for an Insurance Company before embarking
upon a career in public policy. She joined Kent County Council on
the Kent Graduate Programme in 2008 and spent time working in a
number of positions across the County Council including the school’s
advisory service (Advisory Service Kent), the Corporate Policy Unit
and working directly to the Corporate Management Team. Kayleigh
left the Kent Graduate Programme for a permanent role in Corporate
Policy, undertaking a series of organisational reviews and making
recommendations to politicians regarding a menu of policy choices.
In August 2010 she took up her current position at Kent Police
Authority, managing the Performance portfolio, and providing highlevel
strategic advice to Police Authority Members. In November
2012 Kent Police Authority was replaced by the Kent Police and
Crime Commissioner and was responsible for managing the
transition process.
During her time working for Kent County Council (KCC), Kent Police
Authority (KPA) and the Office of the Kent Police and Crime
Commissioner (OKPCC) she worked closely with senior executives
and political Members. This has provided valuable insight into the
management of political organisations, and an understanding of the
different dynamic this brings to a business.
Three key achievements
- Project-managing a £3.5million project to deliver One to One
Tuition to pupils in Kent schools who are falling behind national
expectations.
- Developing proposals for Chief Officers and Cabinet Members on
how to improve pay and reward that led to revisions to Kent County
Council’s performance related pay system.
“I see the MBA as an
excellent platform for
achieving future
promotions to senior
executive positions, and
believe it will give me the
additional skills and
expertise required to be
a successful leader.”
- Programme managing the transition from Kent Police Authority to
the Office of the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner.
Professional interests
Performance Management, Change Management, Project
Management, Strategy, Policy Development, Economics
Career aspirations
To become a Strategic Manager with the ability to influence the
development of public policy at the highest levels. To lead a
successful team of people and to continue to work in a sector that I
find personally and professionally rewarding.