Jean Chen, Professor of Accounting and Finance, and a leading international expert in corporate governance, started work as the Interim Head of the University of Southampton Management School on 1 May. She joined from the University of Surrey and will lead the transition of the Management School to the new Business School. 

Jean’s ultimate goal is to support the University in developing a world-leading Business School.

“Establishing a more prominent research-led profile, leveraging our connections with other faculties and enterprise, will be the key to winning greater recognition for the Business School. The achievements of our academic staff in research and within the wider business community need to be better known” says Jean. Another challenge is to achieve a better balance between research and teaching. Capturing a significant share of the regional executive education market and realising the potential to offer executive education with international collaborations will also be a key activity within the School,” she explains.

Jean’s own research interests centre on corporate governance and financial management and she has over 112 publications in world-leading journals, books and book chapters. She has substantial management and internationalisation experience within higher education, including roles as Head of Accounting and Finance and Associate Dean. Jean was also the Chief Executive Officer leading the University of Surrey’s overseas arm – the Surrey International Institute (SII) –  prior to joining Southampton. 

With Jean on board, supported by the Interim Deputy Head of the Business School, Martin Broad, work is ramping up in preparation for a ‘soft launch’ on 1 October. This is when the change of name, from Southampton Management School to Southampton Business School will be formally announced. Adam Wheeler says: “This will be an important moment as it clearly signals our intention to create a much larger and stronger Business School over the coming years; one that is distinctive through its interdisciplinary approach and is integrated into the major world-class strengths of the University.”

With the Connectivity campaign helping us to tell the world about our groundbreaking work in a bold new way, we are also looking internally to ensure we are aware of all the best stories within our University.

In just a few clicks on this new easy-to-use portal, you can let the Communications and Marketing department know that you have a story for them to tell. So if you have won an award, secured new funding, or made a new discovery then visit our portal and let’s connect. The press team, our social media experts, our publication editors – or one of our other story tellers – will be in touch to help spread the news about your achievements.

We want to know about your news and it’s so easy to tell us your stories:

Either pick up the phone to the relevant person found in this database or fill in an easy online form with the basics of your story and we will help you to share your story.

Throughout this edition of e-Voice, we highlight the University’s brilliant and distinctive connectivity. Our ability to connect for world-changing impact sets us apart and will be at the heart of an awareness raising campaign launching later this month which aims to showcase the world-leading work happening here. Keep an eye out for connectivity stories across campus and the UK over the next few months.

Connectivity often begins with a simple conversation between colleagues that sparks a new idea. So this month, we are asking you to sign up to participate in a conversation about how we grow our University while maintaining quality in what we do (choose between 16 June, 1 July and 7 July). And as part of a continuing dialogue about how you feel about your working life at the University, you are invited to share your views, through the 2014 Staff Survey.

Along with news and events which highlight our connectivity, in this edition we introduce you to Dr Julia Wolny, who describes in her own words what connectivity means to her work at the University. And, you can also watch our new video, narrated by Southampton alumnus, Radio One DJ Chris Stark, showcasing our diverse city.