Who got that job?

John Vaughan, Director, Edge Hill Business School, Edge Hill University.

Job advertised in The Times Higher , March 16, 2007

There is a buzz at Edge Hill University that makes John Vaughan confident that he made the right move when he agreed to become director of the institution's new Business School.

"One of the main things that impressed me was the look and feel of the campus and the huge excitement you get whenever there is a period of growth," he said.

Edge Hill Business School, a new venture formed out of the business and computing departments, is undergoing expansion and investment. It will move into a new £8 million building in September 2008.

Over the next year, Mr Vaughan intends to redevelop undergraduate courses, creating new study routes for students that take them closer to business. He will also develop a postgraduate portfolio, offering masters courses to appeal to an international market.

But for Mr Vaughan, the area of greatest interest is in developing research programmes.

"As a relatively small school, we are never going to compete with Manchester or London. Instead, we want to be known for certain things. For us, there is a niche in working with the not-for-profit sector, voluntary services, health and public policy. With this focus on social enterprise, you can cross a number of boundaries, and we plan to capitalise on it," he said.

Mr Vaughan plans to strengthen links with local industry, allowing business leaders to share insights with students learning about leadership. In return, he hopes Edge Hill students will get to work on case studies and put value back into the local community.

"We want to make the learning and teaching of business a strength of the school," Mr Vaughan said.