PSLT e-bulletin introduction from Stuart Wells

08 May 2026

This week, Stuart Wells, Managing Director of Executive Education introduces the e-bulletin

Hi all,

I hope you are enjoying the sunny weather this week.

I’m pleased to say that Executive Education is continuing to make strong progress. Over recent weeks, teams have delivered a broad portfolio of customised, apprenticeship and open programmes for a mix of UK and international organisations, including Morrisons, Bentley, the National Trust, NHS and China Europe International Business School. Client feedback has been very strong throughout and to quote our commissioner from Morrisons, “The programme absolutely lived up to everything we hoped it would be! I actually feel a bit sad it’s over”.

Demand for Executive Education programmes remains strong, with continued growth in open programme participation. Recent examples include new international bookings from Mobile Money Limited (Ghana) and the National Pensions Commission (Nigeria), alongside repeat engagement from existing clients such as OmniBSCI Bank and Seddon Construction.

We have also received confirmation from NHS England of the award of an Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Masters cohort, with a specific focus on primary care which is delivered by the Health Management Group. This will be accredited by the University of Manchester rather than the University of Birmingham. This is an important and positive development for the School, further strengthening Manchester’s position in senior healthcare leadership education and reinforcing our relationship with national NHS partners. I would like to extend a huge thank you to the team who worked on this for their persistence and hard work in securing this accreditation; it represents a significant collective effort and is very much appreciated.

We have received confirmation that the partnership proposal developed with colleagues in Unit M for BNY has been approved by the senior team in New York. This represents a significant contract for Executive Education: a five‑year partnership valued at £1m, positioning us as a long‑term learning and development partner for BNY’s Manchester operation. The partnership will include delivery of a bespoke Digital Transformation Professional Development Programme, alongside a suite of open programmes for colleagues across the Manchester office.

A significant academic milestone has been achieved with Senate approval of a new 30‑credit postgraduate award. This new award strengthens the School’s flexible postgraduate offer and responds directly to demand for shorter, credit‑bearing programmes that support lifelong learning, skills development and professional progression. It creates clearer pathways between Executive Education and postgraduate study, aligning well with the University’s Manchester 2035 ambitions.

Internationally, our South East Asia Centre has secured an important platform for growth through accreditation to deliver short courses under Singapore’s national SkillsFuture framework. This positions the University as the first overseas provider within this system and provides a strong foundation for expanding Executive Education activity in South East Asia. An initial programme been approved, with work ongoing to broaden academic engagement and build a sustainable pipeline of provision in the region.

These achievements are underpinned by strong collaboration across academic and Professional Services colleagues. I’m delighted to say that our Instructional Design team has recently received University‑level recognition through the PS and Cultural Institutions Distinguished Achievement Award, in recognition of their leadership and delivery of the Canvas project. This project was undertaken in addition to the core work of the team and was completed on time and within budget, in a quiet and efficient manner that is a credit to the way the team operates. Well done to everyone in the team for their great work.

I hope you all have a good weekend. Many people in the School will know that I am a Stockport County supporter and this weekend we are competing in the League 1 play-offs. We are playing Stevenage, which is 178 miles from my house! As it’s my daughter’s 16th birthday, I have promised I’ll take her and my son, so fingers crossed we get a good result, or it will be a long drive back!

Stuart