Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:02:12 +0000

Former international businesswoman Dr Sarah Dixon is determined to enhance the global reputation of Bradford’s renowned business school even further when she takes the reins.

Her appointment as the next dean of the Bradford University School of Management will mean a return to the city where she studied languages at Bradford university between 1971 and 1975.

Dr Dixon, currently head of MSc programmes at the University of Bath, will succeed Prof Arthur Francis, who retires in September.

She is a former international strategist with oil giant Shell spending 23 years in a variety of roles including strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions and management posts in Austria and Russia Dr Dixon said she was committed to lifting the School of Management’s ranking in international business school league tables.

She said: “The School has an excellent reputation and I will build on this and try and improve its ranking through ensuring that our programmes are second to none.

“I also want to enhance the experience of all students, from undergraduates to those taking their Masters. Students are much more demanding these days and having excellent facilities is essential. I’m delighted that the new extension at the School will helps us achieve this.”

Getting businesses more closely involved with the School of Management will also be high on her ‘to do’ list. She said: “We are operating in an increasingly-challenging environment with Government funding cuts and international competition. My intention is to encourage innovation across all areas of activity and increase our co-operation with business, public and third sector organisations.”

Retiring dean Prof Arthur Francis said Dr Dixon’s academic and corporate experience was what modern business schools required.

He said: “Sarah Dixon has that rare mix of first-rate business experience with a successful transition into academia. Her career represents exactly what many bodies espouse but so few have actually achieved.

“We’re certain it will continue to strengthen our business relationships as well as encourage business people to look at developing academic careers.”

Professor Mark Cleary, vice-chancellor at the University of Bradford, said: “Sarah’s appointment is unusual in that she has not followed the traditional academic route for becoming a dean. This will be a great strength for the School and for implementing the business engagement strategy led by Arthur Francis.

“We owe a great debt of gratitude to Arthur for his leadership in strengthening the School of Management’s position in the UK’s top league.”

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Bradford Bulls is pleased to announce the promotion of Ryan Duckett to Chief Executive with immediate effect.

Duckett (33) joined the Bulls at the inception of Super League and summer rugby in 1996 after graduating with a first class honours degree in Management from Leeds University and a year working in the States with an Atlanta-based marketing and publishing company. Duckett started his Bulls career in marketing and has since held management roles in almost every area of Bradford Bulls' business, becoming Director of Operations in 2005 and combining this role with that of General Manager since 2006.

Commenting on his appointed Duckett said:

"I am honoured to be entrusted with this role at such a great Club. With the fantastic youth structure we now have in place, our new state-of-art training centre on the campus of Tong High School and our pending stadium development it is a really exciting time for the Club. I look forward to working with Chairman Peter Hood and the Board and staff to drive the Club and the business forward towards and beyond the next round of Super League licenses."

Mr Duckett played 3 seasons with the Bulls Reserves / Academy team including a Grand Final against Wigan in a team including current Bulls stars Jamie Langley and Paul Sykes. He is now in his second stint as a wing/full-back with National One rugby union club Otley and has also had seasons with Wakefield and Cleckheaton.