.

Dr Mike Kennard

Dr Mike Kennard

MBA Course Director/Teaching Fellow

Economics and Strategy Group

Profile

I joined Aston Business School in September 2010 as MBA Course Director. My responsibilities include maintaining the high quality of the programme, and teaching in the areas of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategy.

I started my career in 1995 with Rolls-Royce plc where I worked for 11 years in various technology management positions. In 2006 I was awarded a scholarship to study for an MBA at Nottingham University Business School, where I graduated with distinction.

After my MBA I joined the University of Nottingham, first as a Business Development Executive and then as an Innovation Fellow. This role involved a 12 month consulting engagement with the healthcare and beauty retailer Alliance Boots. On completion of this project I joined Aston University in my current position.

Qualifications

  • BEng with First Class Honours in Materials Science & Technology, University of Birmingham, 1992

  • PhD in Aerospace Engineering, University of Birmingham, 1997

  • MBA with Distinction, University of Nottingham, 2007 

Employment

  • 2010 – onwards: MBA Course Director, Aston Business School, Aston University.

  • 2007 – 2010: Business Development Executive and Innovation Fellow, University of Nottingham.

  • 1995 – 2006: Various technology development management positions with Rolls-Royce plc.

Teaching

  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MBA)

  • Strategy (MSc and BSc)

  • Executive Education

Research Interests

  • Innovation strategy and practice

  • Organisational barriers to innovation

  • Consulting and knowledge transfer

Membership of Professional Bodies

  • Member Institute of Engineering & Technology (MIET)

  • Chartered Engineer (CEng)