to thewind? Caution - University of Edinburgh Business School

school newsschool newsElectronicsleader joinsboardDavid Milne, Co-founder ofWolfson Microelectronics,has been appointed to theSchool’s Advisory Board.He joins a board of 11highly experienced industrypractitioners whose role isto provide independent,external and commerciallyorientated strategic adviceto the School.David Milne is one ofScotland’s most successfulentrepreneurs. Heco-founded WolfsonMicroelectronics in 1984 atthe University of Edinburgh.A year later, he and hiscolleague Jim Reid spun itout to run the company asan independent microchipsdesign house. David servedas the Chief Executive Officerand Managing Director untilMarch 2007. He now servesas a non-executive director.In 1985, he was awardedthe OBE for services toindustry. He has been amember of the Court of theUniversity of Edinburghsince 1998, and wasawarded an honorarydegree of Doctor of Scienceby the University in 2008.The award recognised hiscontribution to thedevelopment of electronicsand electrical engineering inScotland and his ties withthe University.For further informationabout the Advisory Board,visit www.advisoryboard.man.ed.ac.ukLEFT: DavidMilne speakingat a recententrepreneurshipevent. Photo:Photo ExpressBetter focus for futureEdinburgh has retained its position in the latestFinancial Times ranking of the world’s top full-timeMBA programmes for the ninth consecutive year –one of only eight UK schools to have done so.In the rankings, published in January, theprogramme was placed 92nd in the world, 28th inEurope and 17th in the UK.Unfortunately, this represented a considerable dropcompared with our 2008 position. Almost all of the UKschools dropped in the rankings this year, but our dropwas one of the most severe. This is obviously adisappointment to us all – to staff, students and toalumni – and we must, and we will, correct it.The ranking methodology uses information from twomain sources. Firstly, a survey completed by the Schoolcovers issues such as composition of faculty, researchoutput and gender mix. Secondly, surveys arecompleted by full-time MBA alumni from three, fourand five years ago, covering factors such as currentsalary, change in salary after completing the MBA andratings of a number of features.A total of 20 measures are combined to producescores for each school, which in turn generate therankings. The measures are weighted differentially;salary-related indicators contribute 40 per cent of theoverall score. The alumni surveys are also weighted – thesurvey from three years ago is weighted as 50 per cent,and those from four and five years ago 25 per cent each.There have already been a number of developments tothe programme since the period covered by the FinancialTimes survey (2003-05) which should make a differenceto future rankings. These changes include a greater focuson employability, for example via the career andpersonal development programme which has beendeveloped even further over the years, and theintroduction of the Graduate Management AdmissionTest (GMAT) for the 2008 entry. These changes are yetIsobel Sharp CBE, former President of The Institute of CharteredAccountants of Scotland, was appointed a visiting professor ofthe School in August.A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Isobel is atechnical partner at Deloitte London LLP, where she specialises infinancial reporting, company law and corporate governancematters. Her role at the University will involve teachingundergraduates and postgraduates and advising on researchprojects. Her track record in major research projects goes backmore than two decades when she played a major role in theseminal publication, ‘Making Corporate Reports Valuable’.Isobel is currently a member of the International Advisoryto feed into the rankings, and because of the way themethodology works, it will take some time. In October2008, we commenced a major review of the MBA whichBrad MacKay, one of our new hires, is leading.We are very aware of the significance of rankings toour current students and alumni. A drop in ourposition in this important ranking is unwelcome to usall, but is only one among many measures thatinfluence the reputation of a School and its graduates.Top accountant becomes visiting professorPanel on Accounting by Non-PubliclyAccountable Entities (NPAEs) and amember of the European Joint Groupon NPAEs and SMEs.Isobel said: ‘I have many happymemories of the University as astudent, so to come back and beallowed to contribute as a visitingprofessor is both a thrill and an honour. Financial reporting andcorporate governance are subjects that have always beenimportant and will continue to be so – I am keen to pass on myexperience of these areas to the next generation.’We are working on many measures to ensure that thisis a transitory dip – these include the rebranding of theSchool, a new building in 2010, the introduction ofGMAT and the comprehensive review of theprogramme, to name just a few.WANT TO KNOW MORE?If you have any comments on the above, please contactNick Oliver, Head of School, on nick.oliver@ed.ac.ukWelcoming Isobel’s appointment, Nick Oliver, Head ofthe School, commented: ‘The quality of a business schoolis heavily driven by the quality of its connections withthe corporate world. We are delighted to appoint someoneof Isobel’s professional stature as one of the School’svisiting professors.’DATE FOR YOUR DIARY...Isobel Sharp will be presenting at the School on theevening of Monday 26 October on the topic of therecession and how it has tested the system.Further details will be posted ontowww.alumninet.man.ed.ac.uk once available.Photo: Robert BradyNew horizonsfor fellowsOver the past three months, the School hasbeen hosting a British Council CheveningFellowship programme on Finance andInvestment in a Low Carbon Economy.The 14 Chevening fellows are drawn fromten different countries, including Canada,China, Australia, Kazakhstan, India and Brazil.The international nature of the programmeis a key part of its success, as highlighted byHeidi VanGenderen from the USA whocommented: ‘The international aspect of theFellowship has truly opened whole newhorizons for me. We have been well cared forby the Business School and the School ofGeoSciences, and Edinburgh is a delight.’Awarded in December 2008, BenHosaka (Class of 2008) was the winner ofthe Grant Management Business Plancompetition, securing the £3,000 cashprize for his new business, Petit Japon.Having been brought up in the part ofJapan that manufactures kimonos, Benhas always had a love of the traditionalJapanese dress. His business planinvolved the purchase of vintagekimonos and recycling the material intoThis comprehensive programme consists ofa combination of dedicated lectures, site visitsto a diverse group of energy and financeorganisations and two weeks of placements,as well as attending lectures on theEdinburgh MBA and the MSc in CarbonManagement. This is the first Cheveningprogramme that the School has delivered andit is hoped that its successful delivery willlead to new programmes in the future.Martin Squire from Australia said: ‘TheUniversity of Edinburgh has created a positivelearning environment coupled with expertlecturers, interesting site visits and great ITsupport. I’m really enjoying the focus of thecourse and the opportunity to interact andengage with other students, fellows andexperts. The experience and knowledge that Iam gaining will be an asset to climate changepolicy and application in Australia.’Business plan’s a winnerPhoto: Jonathan LittlejohnPhoto: Jonathan LittlejohnLEFT: On the road tosuccess – BenHosaka (left) isawarded his prize byPeter Grant, GrantManagementhandbags and other fashionaccessories. Ben is already trading withsome success, under the name of PetitJapon (www.petitjapon.com), which wasestablished last year.While studying for his MBA, Benwas also involved in a couple of otherinitiatives, including contributing toan exhibition of Japanese art at PerthMuseum and Art Gallery entitled‘A glimpse of the floating world’.6 | aluminate | april 2009www.alumninet.man.ed.ac.ukwww.alumninet.man.ed.ac.uk april 2009 | aluminate | 7