AMBS Dean’s Talk – Innovating for Sustainable Growth [Showcase Session]

Ken McPhail is currently Head of Alliance Manchester Business School.  He was previously Deputy Head and Director of Research. Prior to this, Ken was Vice Dean for Social Responsibility within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Manchester. As Vice Dean, Ken oversaw the strategic development and implementation of the Universities distinctive social responsibility agenda across 5 schools, 36 disciplines, 18,000 students and 1,800 academic and support staff. In addition, Ken also sat on the University’s Social Responsibility Governance Group, chaired by the Vice Chancellor and Principle.

As Vice Dean for Social Responsibility, Ken was involved in delivering a new strategic relationship between the University and Greater Manchester City Council with a co-funded Economic Advisor to the new City Mayor. He was involved in the New Strategic Inclusive Growth Unit partnership with Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Prize winning “Policy @ Manchester” platform for turning research into impact. He initiated the New Ethical Grand Challenges program, and facilitated the Sustainably Challenge delivered to 5000 new students in Welcome Week 2016.

Prior to joining the University of Manchester, Ken McPhail was the Head of School at La Trobe University Melbourne. Ken was responsible for managing a complex departmental structure with staff across five campuses and played an active role in delivering the biggest change management process in the history of the school. Ken was also the Chair of the Business School’s newly establish 2017 Committee tasked with blue-sky thinking around delivering the universities strategic vision and beyond.

Preceding his role at La Trobe University Melbourne, Ken was the Director of Undergraduate Studies and The Scottish Centre for Professional Ethics at the University of Glasgow. His role involved the management of some major changes in undergraduate provision across Glasgow University. Ken was also part of a team that secured grant funding of £50,000 to establish a Scottish forum for Professional Ethics.

Ken’s roles have involved liaising with key professional bodies, professional service firms and other institutions, including The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland; The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Scotland; the BBC; The Scottish Science Centre, The Royal Academy of Edinburgh, The General Medical Council, the Law Society, The Association of Certified Chartered Accountants.

Ken’s work is focused on various aspects of accounting ethics and corporate accountability.  He has a PhD from the University of Dundee and a MA (Honours) degree in Accountancy & Computer Science from the Heriot-Watt University.

Sherry is the founding director of the University of Manchester Worldwide China Centre in Shanghai. She manages China Centre’s business strategies, alumni relations and partnerships in the region. Sherry is standing committee member of Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association and vice president of SORSA UoM association. Sherry was appointed as an envoy to Manchester China Forum in 2013 and awarded ‘women leadership award’ and other influential awards in the field of education at municipal and national levels in recent years. She holds Masters’ degree in Contemporary literature in London as well as MBA degree from the University of Manchester. She was executive committee member of the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai and currently serves as vice chair of the Education Focus Group. She published a few books such as overseas Chinese corporate reputation and Preparing for multiple challenges on the Belt and Road.

As the head of BritCham Shanghai, Stuart’s ambition is to drive the continued support and growth of the chamber in line with the members’ needs and evolving business and political environment both in China and at home.  Examples of these activities include Government to business round tables, regional East China activities and leading the chamber flagship events including the new British Day, the annual ESG Summit & Awards and the British Business Awards.

Stuart brings to his position over 20 years of UK & international leadership experience covering trade & investment, operations, & project-based experience in world-leading hospitality corporations, as an entrepreneur and in Government.  Prior to taking on this role, Stuart was head of Agriculture, food & drink, trade and investment for the UK Department for International Trade.  His China journey started in 2010, moving to Dubai to join the Shangri-la, Pudong as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage during the World Expo followed by several years as an entrepreneur, starting and operating the Tap House bar & restaurant group.

Stuart holds a Degree in International marketing and communications from Staffordshire University in England and is an active member of many community groups including Heart 2 Heart and lives in Shanghai with his wife Emily, daughter Lilli & two dogs.

Founder of Zero Waste Beauty, SAFONE brand

Former head of sBU Asia at AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry (ICI business for beauty and personal care raw materials and formulation applications)

Sephora Accelerate 2020 cohort

Lecture speaker at Shanghai New York University, University of Manchester,
Asia Europe Business School, Donghua University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics