Leadership and Management Development
- Client: A. F. Blakemore and Son Ltd
Birmingham City Business School collaborated with A. F. Blakemore and Son Ltd to develop and launch a two-year postgraduate certificate in Leadership and Management Development during 2009.
Twelve senior company managers are undertaking the University’s new two-year postgraduate certificate, which has been endorsed by Managing Director Peter Blakemore and Group HR Director Stephen Cloves. The course has been initially validated specifically for A. F. Blakemore and Son Ltd and is the first such programme the company has undertaken. It marks the start of A. F. Blakemore and Son Ltd’s development strategy in support of its long-term growth aspirations.
Students will be required to complete four core modules worth 15 points each. The certificate will be awarded on the successful completion of the full 60 points. The course combines electronic delivery via the internet with ‘face-to-face’ workshops. The main assessment is through a company project, which all students work on. They will also feedback their findings to their own senior management teams.
The Client
A.F. Blakemore and Son Ltd is a third-generation, family-run, food-based wholesaling business supplying more than 700 SPAR stores across England and Wales. A.F. Blakemore and Son Ltd operates an ‘own-stores’ division of over 200 SPAR shops. With 5,000 employees and a turnover in excess of £600m, the business is a key player in the worldwide ‘SPAR symbol’ group. Growth has seen its Willenhall HQ and distribution centre, built in the 1980s, extended several times. It also has eight depots across England and Wales and runs highly successful fresh foods and shop-fitting divisions.
Our senior managers are looking forward to this course. It will be of great personal development and professional benefit to them, which is very important to A. F. Blakemore and Son Ltd. As a family firm we’re committed to staff progression and dedicated to showing our people the importance we attach to their development."
Owner and MD, Peter Blakemore.
Results
Professor Christopher Prince, Executive Dean of the University’s Business School, says: “This new course is a good example of the way the University wants to work with companies. We seek to create modules that address specific company needs and believe businesses will reap the rewards of such a bespoke service.”
Benefits
- Senior Management Team up-skilled
- Increased motivation and energy from leaders
- Has helped shape/inform business strategy
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