£3m project to benefit leadership and innovation in Sheffield

SHEFFIELD businesses are to benefit from a £3m leadership and executive management programme aimed at promoting innovation during a recession.

The three year Innovation Leaders project is being managed by Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University and the Management School at Sheffield University.

The project is being funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Its main aim is to build regional competitiveness through developing future leaders with SMES to benefit the most.

Professor Mike Smith, pro-vice chancellor for research and knowledge transfer at Sheffield Hallam, said: “With the demand being led by business, the project provides an exciting opportunity for a real step change in the relationship between higher education and industry to benefit the region’s economy and its future development.”

John Cullen, associate dean at the Sheffield University’s Management School, said: “This is a great opportunity for the two universities in Sheffield to build on their complementary skills for the benefit of the region’s organisations.”

As well as developing leadership and management skills, the project will improve participants’ problem solving and job skills.