University News Last updated 26 October
Marking her appointment as a Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University (BCU), OurCoop CEO Debbie Robinson met with university leaders, academics and colleagues to explore how collaboration between business and academia can drive innovation, advance sustainability and tackle global challenges.
During her visit to BCU’s City Centre Campus, Debbie met with Professor David Mba, BCU’s Vice-Chancellor, Anita Bhalla OBE, Chair of BCU’s Board of Governors, and Professor Hanifa Shah OBE, BCU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Enterprise, Engagement and STEAM.
She also visited STEAMhouse to learn more about the University’s approach to sustainability, its work supporting innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship, and its promotion of ethical AI.
A staff focus group gave Debbie the opportunity to share her perspective on some of the challenges facing businesses today, while hearing about a diverse range of projects being developed across BCU. These included work on responsible healthcare adoption in Pakistan, youth farming in Malawi, and critical care initiatives in Zambia and Malawi.
With more than 45 years’ experience across the UK retail sector, Debbie has held senior leadership roles at SPAR UK, The Co-operative Group, Marks & Spencer and WH Smith. She is also President of Euro Coop and a Board member of the British Retail Consortium.
A passionate advocate of co-operative ethics and values, she received an honorary doctorate from BCU in recognition of her contribution to business.
“It's been great to spend time with Professor Hanifa, colleagues and students at BCU, and to meet Vice-Chancellor Professor David Mba and Anita Bhalla, Chair of the Board of Governors,” said Robinson.
“Visiting STEAMhouse was a particular highlight, and I was struck by the breadth of innovation and ideas being developed across the University.
“I was especially interested to hear how colleagues are taking work developed here in the UK and applying it through projects in Africa and Asia. This really resonated with me, having seen through OurCoop’s own Our Malawi Partnership how knowledge, collaboration and ideas can be put into practice to support communities and create lasting impact.
“It was fascinating to hear about the different ways BCU is doing this, too, and the real-world challenges these projects are helping to address.
“Meeting the students was another highlight. Their energy, enthusiasm and curiosity were infectious, and I’m looking forward to spending more time with them and learning from their perspectives as I take on my role as a Visiting Professor.”
Professor Shah MBE said: “Debbie brings an exceptional breadth of leadership experience spanning retail, co-operation and responsible business, alongside a strong commitment to sustainability, inclusion and community impact.
“Her appointment as a Visiting Professor gives BCU an exciting opportunity to connect that experience with our academic expertise and the innovative work taking place here.
“We look forward to Debbie challenging our thinking, sharing her insight with our students and colleagues, and helping us build new connections between research, enterprise and industry.
“Her experience of leading significant transformation in the co-operative sector will be particularly valuable as we explore how responsible innovation can help address some of the complex challenges facing businesses and communities locally and globally.”
Pictured (from left): Professor David Mba, Debbie Robinson, Anita Bhalla OBE and Professor Hanifa Sha OBE.