School Executive e-bulletin introduction from Stuart Hyde

24 Apr 2026

This week, Stuart Hyde, Deputy Head of School and Head of A&F, introduces the e-bulletin

Hi, 

I hope that everyone has had a great week getting back into the swing of things as students have returned from the Easter break. The upturn in the weather is most welcome, and I hope that you all are able to take advantage of that over the coming weekend. 

This week, I was fortunate to be able to attend the opening session of the Centre for the Analysis of Investment Risk (CAIR) Idea Development Workshop held in Accounting & Finance, while Professor Scott Liao, Editor of the Journal of Contemporary Accounting Research was visiting from the University of Toronto. It was great to hear the various research ideas of ECR colleagues from across the division and the feedback they received, which hopefully enable them to develop their projects further.

I also attended the Town Hall for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught students with Reimi Sivalingam, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and Adam Frost, Director of Postgraduate Taught Studies, to listen to students and answer questions they had about their studies and the School. It was interesting and informative to participate in the discussion, hear the views of the students and be able to contribute to answering a range of questions covering both specific programme concerns as well as big picture issues. In particular, alongside questions about the pros and cons of relative assessment styles, employability and practical elements of courses, and timetabling, the students were interested to hear about Manchester 2035 and how the changes that will come with the Leaps we make may benefit them, and how they may play a role to help shape decision making and increase engagement. 

Earlier this week, you may have seen the news that Professor Jun Du from Aston University has been appointed to succeed Professor Bart van Ark as the Managing Director of The Productivity Institute (TPI) in the summer. Bart has established the TPI as a leading voice in the UK’s productivity landscape and next week marks National Productivity Week, with events taking place at AMBS and across the UK. This will showcase the importance of the Institute and colleagues’ work for the national agenda, and explore how productivity can drive better jobs, stronger businesses, and more prosperous communities across the UK. 

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a number of upcoming events to ensure you put these in your diary. First, an early shout out for Graduation in July. The AMBS graduation ceremonies will held on Friday 17 July, please get this date into your diaries and keep an eye out for registration details nearer the time. Graduation is a unique occasion to celebrate the success of our students and the work that we have put in educating and supporting them during their studies. 

Second, Professor Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research, is hosting an open meeting discussing rankings and their importance for the University on Thursday 30 April at 11am.

Third, Vice-President and Dean, Professor Fiona Devine and the Faculty Executive (FE) will visit the School on Wednesday 6 May at 10.30am to talk about progress and look ahead to the coming year. The meeting will be in-person and also online and you can register here.

Wishing you all a great weekend.

All the best,

Stuart