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Aston Business School to host information session on government’s flagship programme for SMEs
Businesses can find out how to boost performance, productivity and growth with the national government-backed Help to Grow: Management course The information session will be delivered face-to-face at Aston Business School on 4 April Business leaders will be able to ask questions about the course, which is delivered by leading business schools across the UK. Aston University is set to host an information session on the government’s flagship Help to Grow: Management programme, launched by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak at Aston Business School in August 2021. The 12-week management training programme is 90% funded by the Government and participants can complete it alongside full-time work, giving 30,000 SMEs access to world-class business expertise on everything from financial management to marketing. The information session, in collaboration with NatWest Group, will be delivered face-to-face at Aston Business School on 4 April from 09:30 to 11:00. Businesses will be able to find out how to boost performance, productivity and growth as well as ask questions about the course. Laura Barratt, managing director of The Malted Waffle Company and previous participant of the program, will share her experience of taking part and the benefit it has had on her company. Kate Angel, head of business support operations, Aston Centre for Growth, said: “The information session will provide a great opportunity for business leaders to hear about the value of the course from past participants, network with fellow company leaders and find out how Help to Grow: Management can help drive growth in their organisation.” This event is free and open to all, not just NatWest customers. You can register for the information session here. Find out more about the Help to Grow: Management course here.
Technical training, exposure to multiple industries and an open and inclusive culture help IT Associates innovate across CCG. They are often the quiet contributors to a project, taking a business idea from concept to delivery to allow strategic business endeavours to get off the ground. What they do and how they do it can be mysterious to many, with technical jargon, architectural details and complex processes at play. To succeed in IT requires incredible technical knowledge, a solid understanding of business processes, and innovative mindset with a natural curiosity to understand how multiple industry business systems all work together. Most importantly what’s needed is the desire for continuous learning. The IT department at CCG has enjoyed an incredible period of growth and development over recent years. In the last decade alone, CCG has undergone a major technology transformation, replacing every major business system required to support the different lines of business under the CCG umbrella including CAA Insurance, Orion Travel Insurance, CAA Travel, Membership and Emergency Roadside Services, while also implementing industry-leading innovations like CAA MyPace. We spoke to three tenured Associates to uncover their secret to success working in IT. What drives the culture of a team that often works behind the scenes but is vital to the success of all organizational projects? Lindsay Lamothe Typically, IT Associates have exposure to many business areas, giving them a well-rounded view of the various industries in which CCG operates. At first glance, one might think that this kind of exposure helps drive innovation and growth. But, while this is true for many, Lindsay Lamothe, Senior Business Systems Analyst for CCG’s Roadside Product Management, explains it’s more nuanced. “I think working in multiple lines of business at the organization led me down the path towards IT. I have no formal training in IT but having exposure to the business side of things gave me insights that continue to be valuable now that I work in a business enablement area,” shared Lamothe. “Being exposed to multiple industries while working in IT is a valuable opportunity to grow knowledge, but I think anyone who can learn more about the multiple industries we operate in would be well-positioned to do well in IT.” Lamothe started at CCG as a summer student to pay for university and eventually came on full-time working in auto travel, helping Members with TripTiks. She worked on the frontlines for ten years before shifting into IT and roadside assistance and has now been at the company full-time for 18 years. Her sense of purpose comes through very clearly when you speak to her about the impact of her work. “I am proud to work in IT at CCG because I am passionate about roadside operations. What we do saves lives,” said Lamothe. “If each code fix or enhancement that we work on gets us to the Member even five seconds sooner, that could be a matter of life or death. I know that we are making a difference in people's lives.” Voytek Bialkowski Voytek Bialkowski, just accepted a promotion to a director position in Enterprise Resource Planning. He also started his career at CCG and credits the technical learning opportunities offered for his continued success. Next month he marks the impressive milestone of 15 years with the company. “CCG is unparalleled in the marketplace in terms of professional growth and learning opportunities,” shares Bialkowski. “Our senior leaders have created a true knowledge culture by encouraging and celebrating professional development, certification, and lifelong learning. In my time with the IT department, I have earned four SAP certifications that furthered my technical skillset. I have also leveraged many of the programs available for Associates, such as the Lean Six Sigma White Belt and the Queens mental health certificate.” What truly sets CCG’s IT department apart is the emphasis on technical training that many Associates can receive right out of school or with little prior knowledge. Bialkowski explains, “CCG has provided me with multiple avenues for technological growth. Working on best-in-class systems and learning their functional and technical components has allowed me to become intimately familiar with SAP’s software suite, Greenfield SAP strategies and methodologies, data quality and data migration, application management, software development and testing lifecycle, as well as SQL and other query languages.” It's clear through the experiences of Lamothe and Bialkowski that learning opportunities and a broad array of opportunities to contribute to different areas of the business are key drivers of the success of CCG’s IT Associates. While hard skills and insights are essential, equally important is the culture of a team and the people that one works with to get things done. John Zhao John Zhao, Manager Quality Assurance in IT App Development & Architecture, shared his take on CCG’s culture and how that plays a role in delivering exceptional service to CCG’s business areas. “Collaboration and mutual respect underpin everything we do in IT. This is a big part of how we continue to learn and support each other,” shares Zhao. “Beyond these two values, we are encouraged to apply innovation to our daily process and products.” Innovation, being care-driven, leading by example, and collaboration are values that define CCG’s corporate culture across departments. Still, it is evident in speaking to Zhao that with tight deadlines and often unexpected challenges, they are especially engrained in the culture and approach of the IT department. Zhao’s experience at CCG aligns with Bialkowski and Lamothe’s, showcasing how fostering and developing technical knowledge internally and maintaining a broad perspective that can connect the dots across multiple industries are standard features of our IT approach. All three Associates underscore how the innovative and best-in-class approach of our IT department starts at the top. From Jay Woo, our CEO, to Apra Sekhon, our Chief Innovation Officer and Kin Lee-Yow, our Chief Information Officer, and their leaders. Together, they set the bar on integrating technology and innovation to ensure everyone aligns on promoting growth and knowledge to drive success for CCG’s IT Associates. As technology and innovation continue to grow, it’s valuable for all Associates to understand how this hardworking group of individuals support the essential work we do at CCG.
Market jitters making you anxious? Our expert might have the remedy to calm your nerves.
So far, 2022 has been, in a word, volatile. With the emergence of omicron, supply chain issues choking the economy, inflation the highest it has been in decades and now the war drums beating in Europe, investors are getting nervous and the markets are showing the strain. As political guru James Carville once said, "It's the economy, stupid!" Following that sage advice, Augusta University’s Wendy Habegger is here to offer expert perspective to journalists looking to figure out just what’s going on with the markets and what investors and the public can expect in the coming months. Q: What's the best advice to give people when the stock market is on such a roller coaster ride? “Frankly put, if one can't stomach when the roller coaster drops, don't get on the ride. If one does not have much tolerance for risk, they should not invest in the stock market. If one is already invested in the stock market and breaking into a cold sweat every time they look at their stocks, then they need to take a cash position, meaning cash out of the stock market. The market does not reward anyone based upon their level of anxiety. What good is making gains on stocks if one will turn around and spend those gains treating their ulcers? I liken it to pro sports athletes who don't retire when they are still healthy. What good is all the money they earned if they are only going to be spending it on medical treatments for the rest of their lives? What kind of quality of life is that?" Q: With the market trending down right now, if people can invest, is this the best time to do so? “Whenever the market trends down, it is always a great time to buy stable companies with solid cash flows and certain commodities. Look for those companies and commodities that always do well regardless of what is happening in the economy. But remember my response to the above question. One should do this if and only if they can tolerate risk.” Q: Should people look at safer places to put their money for the time being, and what would some of those places be? “Again, this depends upon their level of risk tolerance. If they are risk tolerant, they should shift into less risky investments. If they are not risk tolerant, cash out and put it in their savings accounts or CDs.” Q: Does the emergency fund rule of thumb still come in to play, maybe now more than ever? “Yes, but I don't go by the standard rule of thumb for emergency savings – having three to six months of expenses saved. I teach students their goal should be to have 12 months of expenses saved. The three to six months rule is obsolete. We saw this with the recession of 2007-09 and with the pandemic. People need to be able to live without employment longer because there is no definitive time frame for when one will find gainful employment and the government should not be relied upon to support the mass population in the meantime. Also, even when the government does provide assistance, not everyone receives it and some still never recover from the aftermath. “ The economy is front and center for just about every American business, investor and household – and if you’re a reporter looking to know more, then let us help. Wendy Habegger is a respected finance expert available to offer advice on making the right money moves during volatile times. If you’re looking to arrange an interview, simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.
Photo Credit: Sandy Nicholson / FUZE Reps Longing for your next adventure? Look no further because CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) has unveiled a new set of luxurious travel packages designed for travellers who are ready to embark on an iconic Canadian adventure. As part of each package, travellers will be flying on a CAA chartered jet with all business class seating, offered in partnership with Air Canada. They will be joined only by those travelling on a Premier Collection tour. Itineraries are curated with affordable luxury in mind. “Our research has shown us that Canadians are looking to experience travel in a more intimate setting and at this time, are still looking to stay closer to home,” said Susan Postma, Regional Manager, CAA. “By coupling the best of Canadian culture, food and heritage, with the safety and luxury of travelling on a CAA chartered plane, we are confident that these packages will give travellers a delightful option to start exploring again.” Travellers will rediscover the nation’s greatest sights, sounds and smells on one of five journeys showcasing Canada’s unforgettable wonders and hidden gems. “For many of us, travelling again for the first time is a momentous occasion and we wanted to make that extra special by cultivating a premium experience with the utmost attention to health and safety,” said Postma. “Each destination encourages travellers to immerse themselves in every moment and create lasting memories.” Packages feature everything from stargazing to whale watching; enjoying a pancake brunch on a maple farm to World Famous “Digby Scallops” in Nova Scotia; witnessing the highest tides in the world in New Brunswick to taking in Quebec’s most breathtaking waterfall and many more unique experiences in between. “We are very pleased that CAA is recognizing our superior customer service in choosing Air Canada for its unique, luxury travel packages. Our private charter service, Air Canada Jetz, is specially designed for ultra-premium customers, such as pro athletes, celebrities and music stars, ensuring CAA’s explorers will travel in extraordinary style wherever their adventure takes them,” said Eric Bordeleau, senior director, Network Scheduling and Charters at Air Canada. Tours and dates include: Glorious Lakes and Glaciers: Banff, Jasper and Beyond (August 13-20, 2022) – 8 Days Savour Quebec: A Culinary Journey Through Quebec City, Charlevoix and Montreal (August 15 – 24, 2022) – 10 Days Rich and Enticing Quebec: Explore the Spectacular Gaspé Peninsula (August 15 – 24, 2022) – 10 Days Magical Maritimes: Acadian Culture, Delicious Flavours and Historic Charms (September 10-19, 2022) – 10 Days Platinum Journey - Mountains and Memories: Wonders of the West and Rocky Mountaineer (September 13-21, 2022) – 9 Days CAA Travel has over 50 years of experience in helping members plan and book unforgettable travel excursions around the world. CAA’s new Premier Tours Collection packages are part of CAA’s Extraordinary Explorations collection and range in price starting at $6,300 CDN. Extraordinary Explorations is CAA’s collection of unique travel adventures designed for adventurous travellers looking to embark on a luxe vacation for an affordable price. Experience one-of-a-kind destinations, intriguing itineraries and exceptional excursions. Available as escorted and hosted packages, every exploration is guaranteed to create lasting memories. The 2022 Premier Collection packages can be purchased at all CAA stores or by phone at 1-844-202-8045. Click here for more information.
Aston University partners with HSBC UK to support black and ethnic minority student entrepreneurs
HSBC UK launched new student incubator programme in March 2022 Aston University is one of five universities in the country collaborating with HSBC on the pilot programme The programme will support BAME students to bring their business ideas to life. Aston University is partnering with HSBC UK on a new pilot student incubator programme to support black and ethnic minority students to start new businesses. It is one of five universities in the country working in collaboration with HSBC UK to pilot a competitive enterprise programme that will target aspiring entrepreneurs from under-represented and low-income backgrounds to bring their business ideas to reality. The programme will support students of black and minority ethnic backgrounds from Aston University, University of Bedfordshire, De Montfort University, University of East London and Kingston University to bring their commercial aspirations to life. The programme is now live, with successful candidates from each university embarking in March on a 12-week bespoke course run by Start Up Discovery School. The programme will culminate with a finals day to be held in HSBC UK’s Birmingham head office in June. The successful candidates will receive one to one HSBC UK mentoring from commercial banking relationship directors, alongside guidance from the Start Up Discovery School, access to HSBC UK customer webinars and some modest financial support to enable them to bring their commercial ambitions to fruition. It is hoped that the pilot will provide a model for other banks and financial institutions to emulate in collaboration with universities as a way to nurture talent, encourage innovation, and offer support to aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds across the UK. Kemi Badenoch MP, Minister of State for Equalities, said: "We’re pleased to see HSBC act on the Commission’s recommendation by launching their Student Incubator Programme to collaborate with a number of universities across the UK. “The programme is designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds to bring their commercial ideas to life and help entrants to attain the business skills they need to aid their long-term success. “We want programmes like this to encourage more people from ethnic minority backgrounds to flourish and to build the next generation of entrepreneurs.” Peter McIntyre, head of small business banking, HSBC UK said: “We are delighted to support new aspiring entrepreneurs and look forward to seeing their creative ideas at the pitch day at our HSBC UK head office in Birmingham. “We are committed to ensuring that access to finance is fair and open to all entrepreneurs and are delighted to be able to further enable these students to start their businesses and to nurture their entrepreneurial talent.” Paula Whitehouse, associate dean for enterprise in the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, said: “Aston Business School is delighted to join HSBC in the development of this major initiative to support the entrepreneurial aspirations of black and ethnic minority students. “The HSBC Student Incubator Programme will provide all-important national networking and expert support to help our leading student entrepreneurs with their new ventures. “We were delighted to be invited by HSBC to help shape this exciting initiative which will support Aston University’s mission to promote inclusive growth in our region and give our innovative students a unique opportunity.” Gosbert Chagula, co-founder of Start Up Discovery School, said: “The early support that entrepreneurs receive, particularly in the early stages, really does have a disproportionate impact on their long-term success prospects. “This impact is even more pronounced when concerning ethnic minority students who typically may not benefit from deep social and professional networks or early funding from family and friends. “This programme is designed to both nurture and grow participants whilst ensuring they are connected to wide ecosystem of support from both across HSBC and beyond.”
Podcast: Women in business - why it’s a strength, not a weakness
Self-confidence is the key when it comes to overcoming barriers in the male-dominated boardroom Unlock the value of mentoring and the ‘coaching culture’ to get the best out of yourself and your business Successful female business leader launched company while doing an MBA at Aston University and caring for her baby. Budding female entrepreneurs should ignore the “voice on the shoulder” undermining their confidence and fulfil their dream of starting their own business. That is the advice given by a professor at Aston University and a successful female business leader in a podcast created to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March. Helen Higson, professor of higher education learning and management at Aston Business School, spoke about the challenges facing women in the latest episode of the ‘Aston means business' podcast series, presented by journalist Steve Dyson. Daniella Genas, who launched her consultancy company She’s The Boss International while studying for her MBA at Aston Business School, was also interviewed on the podcast. Professor Higson, who was awarded an OBE in 2011 for services to higher education, said she had three main tips for women seeking to start their own businesses. She said: “Be yourself, be authentic, don’t try to mimic anyone else, and don’t let that voice on the shoulder chipping away at your confidence win out. “Where this lack of confidence comes from, I do not know, but self-doubt can really get in the way, so have a conversation with your lack of self-confidence by saying ‘shut up you, I will show you’.” The second piece of advice was to “challenge yourself kindly, be very kind to yourself, and don’t beat yourself up”, while the third was to grasp the “power of mentoring and coaching”, with Professor Higson herself having trained as an executive coach during lockdown. She added: “Coaching culture is fashionable now but it’s actually only trying to help people to take responsibility for maximising their own performance.” Daniella Genas, who also completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme at Aston Business School, has similar advice for women looking to emulate her success. She explained that the first issue was for women to “see your difference as a strength, not as a weakness”. She said: “If more women embraced their femininity, their knowledge and competence, and stop allowing the fact that they are women to make them second guess themselves, we’d be able to get so much further.” Ms Genas said women entrepreneurs should also focus on key systems when building businesses so they are not heavily reliant on the owner. She said: “If you do need to step away to have a child, you are [then] not put in a position where you have to sell your business”. That is particularly relevant to Ms Genas as she was forced to sell her first business, Aspire For You, which she set up in 2006, after becoming pregnant with her first child. However, that decision led her to study rather than go on maternity leave, starting with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme and then the MBA at Aston Business School, while caring for her baby. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme, she recalled, “really changed my mindset”. She said: “I found there were businesses double, triple, quadruple the size that I had that were facing the exact same challenges and problems.” Daniella, who obtained a distinction with her MBA, said completing the programmes gave her the confidence to say ‘I am as good as anybody else and probably better in many areas’. She added: “The idea that I may be seen as less than because I am a woman kind of left my brain.” Her company, which helps female-run businesses grow but in a sustainable way, recently became She’s The Boss International after taking on clients in the US and St Maarten. It is a far cry, she says, from being told by teachers at her comprehensive school that she should set her sights a bit lower, even asking her ‘have you considered being a cleaner?’. Professor Higson said Daniella’s story demonstrated the value of education and energy. “You shouldn’t see anything as a barrier,” she said. “I am quite small, 5ft 2in, and one woman leader said to me: ‘You’re going to find it very difficult to be a female leader because you are so small.’ I replied ‘I may be small but I make up for it with my energy.’ It’s about your impact rather than what you look like.” Episode 7 in series 4 of ‘Aston Means Business’ podcast can be found HERE.
Podcast: Russia expert discusses fears of Putin's 'madness' over Ukraine
Speculation that isolation caused by Covid-19 pandemic could have affected his state of mind Closest advisers said to fear for their lives if they speak out against him Potential scenarios considered include a ‘heart attack-style’ assassination of dictator by senior military and secret services. Two years spent isolating during the coronavirus pandemic have led to a debate that Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone ‘bonkers’, resulting in the invasion of Ukraine. There is now even speculation that only a “heart attack-style” assassination of the dictator by his senior military and secret services could prevent Putin from seeking to expand his borders even further. These themes were discussed by Dr Elisabeth Schimpfössl, a senior lecturer in sociology and policy at Aston University, and author of the award-winning book Rich Russians: From Oligarchs to Bourgeoisie. Dr Schimpfössl, speaking about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine as part of the 'Society matters' podcast series, presented by journalist Steve Dyson, explained there were two reasons why Putin had decided to invade its neighbour. She considered two potential reasons behind the invasion: “The first is he has always had ambitions to incorporate eastern Ukraine and, particularly, keep NATO at bay and not have it anywhere so close to Russia’s own borders. The second thought is whether Putin might have simply lost it, in a clinical sense.” Dr Schimpfössl said Putin had been “extremely isolated” during the pandemic, with very few people allowed to see him in his “bunker”. She added: “It might well be, as bizarre as it sounds and unimaginable as it might be, that he is losing it and courting advice from people who have such fear of him that they would say what he wanted to hear.” While such madness is currently pure speculation, Dr Schimpfössl explained how people close to him would potentially “fear for their lives” if they contradicted him or alerted him to what a “crazy idea” war was. She said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose daughter lives in New York, had wanted to retire “years ago” but Putin would not let him. And she mentioned claims that the former head of Russia’s foreign secret service died from an apparent heart attack after he “pretty much messed up” the poisoning of double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2018. She said: “It’s pretty obvious that similar fears were deep in the bones of all the closest entourage of Putin. They all know pretty well how the system works.” Dr Schimpfössl described reports on how opposition activists and investigative journalists “suddenly, suspiciously, jump off their balcony to their death. And they threaten people that if they don’t jump then their family will suffer”. She suggested that Russia’s billionaire oligarchs could have taken measures if they had seen what was coming. However, the European Union had now added oligarchs onto the sanctions list for the first time after being deeming them “Putin’s cronies” instead of business leaders. Dr Schimpfössl said: “Until Friday, Putin’s plan was to succeed within maybe a week and sanctions would have become effective in weeks, or months from now. Now things have changed and the EU sanctions have gone a big step further on.” She said it will be a “catastrophe” for Russia’s oligarchs now they are subject to sanctions. The only thing that could “save their skin”, she added, is if they create an image of being “anti-war, anti-Putin”. But would this help stop Putin? “Not if he’s completely gone bonkers, then nothing will stop him,” Dr Schimpfössl again speculated. “It makes him extremely dangerous in terms of his announcement of using nuclear weapons. It would be the maddest possible thing to do, but there is no guarantee anymore.” The only thing that could stop him, she hypothesised, was if Putin suffered the similar fate of a “sudden heart attack” following a “silent coup” by Russia’s top military and secret services, although it is pure conjecture that any such actions are being planned. Opinion polls in Russia suggest that only 40 per cent of the population support the action against Ukraine, compared to 80 per cent over the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Dr Schimpfössl said she hoped negotiations between Russia and Ukraine would lead to an agreement, but added: “We know from history when an aggressor sees itself being on the losing end, or things not go according to plan, they often lash out at the very last moment. Any escalation of the conflict could easily and very quickly get very cruel and barbaric.” Episode 1 in series 3 of the ‘Society matters’ podcast and all previous episodes can be found HERE.
EY Government and Public Sector Cyber Security team and the Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) Centre at Aston University won £180,000 in funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Experts will work with the UK Government to find appropriate opportunities for investment in cyber security The research will map blind spots within the UK’s regional security innovation systems. Cyber security experts at Aston University will work with the Government to support its national cyber security strategy by mapping blind spots in the UK’s regional cyber security systems. The Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) Centre at Aston University will work with EY Cyber Security Consulting on the £180,000 project for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to research and map the UK cyber security ecosystem. The project will consider the current environment, conditions and interventions that exist to influence or affect companies providing cyber security products, services or solutions to support and contribute to the development and growth of cyber security businesses in the UK. The aims of this research are to provide the DCMS with robust evidence of a region-by-region picture of where public, private, academic and industry support mechanisms are in place and to identify service and geographical gaps in their provision. It comes after the CSI Centre helped launch the UK government’s National Cyber Strategy 2022 in Birmingham at a special event last December, for which Aston University professor of cybersecurity management, Vladlena Benson, was an instrumental member of the organising committee. The current project will enable the strategy implementation to support the UK Government’s ambition to grow innovation and academic research in cyber. Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy, lecturer in cyber security management at the CSI Centre at Aston Business School, says: “From the datasets collected that includes different cyber security businesses, incubators, accelerators, clusters, academic centres of excellence and other different mechanisms from across the UK, analysis will be conducted to provide a region-by-region basis of practices involved. “The mapping of the cyber security landscape will also enable the enhancement of skills and diversity across the cyber security sector. “The diversity in cyber security market lags other digital sectors, with the cyber workforce consisting of only 15% females, 16% ethnic minority backgrounds and 9% neurodivergent. The results of this project will be an important contribution for the government to foster the growth of a sustainable, innovative, and internationally competitive cyber and information security sector.”
Aston University appoints new Vice-Chancellor
Aston University is delighted to announce that Professor Aleks Subic has been appointed as its next Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive. He succeeds Professor Alec Cameron, who stepped down after five years in December 2021. He will take up the post in August 2022, until which time Saskia Loer Hansen will continue in her role as Interim Vice-Chancellor. Dame Yve Buckland, Pro-Chancellor of Aston University, said “I am absolutely delighted at Professor Aleks Subic’s appointment. He joins the University at an exciting time and his wide experience of leadership across both academia and industry makes him a perfect fit for Aston University’s needs and ambitions.” Professor Subic said “I feel privileged at being given the opportunity to lead Aston University at this time. The University is renowned for its commitment to graduate employability, translational research and its engagement with business. “I look forward to continuing the momentum built up by Professor Alec Cameron and Saskia Loer Hansen, and I am ambitious to see Aston University continue to build on its reputation for high quality teaching, research and business engagement locally, nationally and internationally.” Saskia Loer Hansen, Interim Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, said “I should like to congratulate Professor Subic warmly on his appointment. His credentials as a leader, both in industry and in higher education, equip him for guiding Aston University to even greater success. “I am sure he will work rigorously to build on our achievements, promote the University worldwide and further strengthen our reputation as a leading university for business and enterprise.” Professor Subic is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (STEM) and Vice President (Digital Innovation) at RMIT University, where he is responsible for leading the STEM College and Digital Innovation portfolio in Australia and globally. Prior to this appointment he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) at Swinburne University of Technology, responsible for research, graduate studies, engagement and partnerships, advancement, innovation, enterprise, and commercialisation, leading the research transformation of the university towards top 2% in the world. Before that, he was the Executive Dean of Engineering at RMIT University, one of the largest engineering faculties in Australia, ranked in top 1% in the world and renowned for industry-partnered education and research. Concurrent with his academic appointments, Professor Subic has held notable appointments on the Australian Prime Minister's Industry 4.0 Taskforce and the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council Leaders Group (Australian Industry Group). Previously he was the Director and Deputy Chair of the Australian Association of Aviation and Aerospace Industries, Director of Oceania Cybersecurity Centre Governing Board, Director of the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia Board, Director of National Imaging Facility Governing Board, Director of Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Governing Board, and Director of the Victorian Centre for New Energy Technologies Governing Board. He has served on a number of national and international research committees and expert panels, including as Chair of the European Research Council Expert Panel for Physical Sciences and Engineering, Technology Group of the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils, Forbes Technology Council, Defence Materials Technology Centre, Editor and Associate Editor of international scholarly journals.
Will voters 'hit' or 'hold' on allowing legal gambling in Georgia?
Could we see horse racing and other forms of gambling come to Georgia in the near future? The Georgia state legislature is looking at the possibility of legalizing gambling on horse racing and the decision could land in the hands of the voters. Proponents say there is potential for a billion dollars in economic benefits, from job creation to a boost in revenues. Marsha Loda is an associate professor at Augusta University’s Hull College of Business. She said if approved, it will likely take more than horse racing for a track to survive. Loda cites Kentucky as an example of what tracks are doing there. “A lot of people think of Kentucky as the mecca of horse racing, but they don’t realize it might not exist without historical horse racing machines," said Loda. "HHRs are slot-like machines that let players wager on past horse races by a random number generator.” Many tracks nationwide have also expanded into casino and sports betting. While this isn’t what Georgia is looking to do initially, it’s not far off to think it could be on the horizon, with horse racing being the first step. Loda, who previously served as marketing director at Harrah’s Cherokee Resort in North Carolina, knows if casino gambling is approved in the future, most of those people who visit need to come from out of town. “You need to be able to import your people who are going to bet. That means you’re importing revenue. Otherwise you’re taking what’s already spent in your community and just slicing it up and giving it to different places. You’re not growing the pie at all,” said Loda. She has also seen the benefits of legalized betting, citing the added jobs a casino would offer. One aspect of gambling that has exploded is sports betting. More than two dozen states have legalized sports betting. Loda thinks if sports betting was on a ballot and went in front of the public for a vote, it would stand a better chance of passing. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see Georgia pass sports betting. I think sports betting has been very well accepted. I think they would come much closer to getting more voters to approve it if it were sports betting than if it’s horse racing or casino gambling.” This is an important topic with many angles to cover, and if you are a reporter looking to know more, then let our experts help. Loda is a leading marketing expert helping businesses in the hospitality industry bounce back from crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and also has had extensive experience in the gambling industry. She is available to speak with media regarding the idea of gambling coming to Georgia. Simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.
