SWISS QUALITY E D U C AT I O N

Master of Business Offered by Robert Kennedy College

in exclusive partnership with
Administration York St John University
YORK MBA
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Leading Innovation and Change

Coaching Mentoring and Leadership
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Innovation Leadership and Consulting
Leadership and Management
Management Consulting
About
York St John University
York St John is a prestigious civic
university with roots going back to
the 1840s. York Diocesan Training
School, for teacher education,
opened in May 1841 with one pupil
on the register: 16-year-old Edward
Preston Cordukes. 1846 saw the
foundation of the Female Training
School which moved to Ripon in
Yorkshire in 1862. The college in York
was described as St John’s College
from the late 1890s.
By 1904 St John’s was the largest
Diocesan college in the country with
112 students (today it has almost
6,000 students).
After rapid development of its
subject base and student number,
the two institutions merged in 1974
to become the College of Ripon &
York St John. The University has
also had a long and productive
relationship with the University of
Leeds dating back to 1920. In 1999
the College’s Board of Governors
1
About York St John University
decided to relocate all taught
courses to the York campus and by
the end of 2001 all students and
staff had transferred across to York
and a new name was chosen: York St
John University.
In September 2005 York St John
University was officially granted
taught degree awarding powers.
Following this, it received approval
from the Privy Council of the United
Kingdom to become a University and
adopted the full title of York St John
University on the 1st October 2006.
This was followed by the installation
of its first Chancellor, Archbishop
Sentamu, in March 2007.
Today the university is based on an
award-winning campus in the centre
of the ancient city of York where
its students study a broad range of
subjects. It has a highly recognised
reputation for its teaching and
learning, and a wide network of
regional, national, and international
partnerships which now includes
Robert Kennedy College.
2
About
Robert Kennedy College
Robert Kennedy College is a private
educational institution in Zürich,
Switzerland that was founded
in 1998. The College pioneered
Swiss quality online learning; we
offer rigorous but flexible learning
programmes, enhanced by state of
the art online e-learning technology
that has been developed entirely in-
house. The Robert Kennedy College
online Masters level programmes are
in an exclusive partnership with York
St John University, and recognised
worldwide.
Our instructors are graduates
from some of the best universities
worldwide, and with over 7,000
students from 130 different
countries, we are a truly
international establishment.
Our programmes combine Swiss
quality education at a distance
with residencies in England at the
campuses of our exclusive partner,
York St John University. The one-
week residency represents a unique
opportunity for students to combine
their online learning experience with
a traditional classroom environment.
Our students benefit from our
proprietary state of the art online
delivery platform OnlineCampus:
an all-encompassing interactive
and easy-to-use software which
makes studying online a truly
satisfying experience. RKC employs
highly qualified instructors who are
graduates from leading universities
such as the Harvard Business
School, Stanford University, Oxford
University, University of Basel and
Washington University, to name a
few.
By studying at Robert Kennedy
College you are sure that your
qualification will be recognised
anywhere. York St John University
degrees are recognised worldwide.
3
The Programmes
at a Glance
Duration
Minimum 12 months, maximum 3
years.
Delivery Method
Mostly online via OnlineCampus
(an interactive online learning
environment) with intensive class
discussion and collaboration, plus a
one-week compulsory residency. The
residency is held at two locations,
Robert Kennedy College in Zürich
and at York St John University in
York, both taught by the York St John
University faculty.
Places
The number of places per term is
strictly limited to 60.
Terms
Four terms per year (winter, spring,
summer and autumn).
Tuition Fees
13,000 CHF (Swiss Francs).
This fee includes library access,
OnlineCampus access, graduation
fees, and university matriculation
fees. Fees are payable in interest-
free instalments. The fees are
for the entire programme, and
include all the courses as well as
supervision for the final dissertation.
Residency costs, such as airfare and
accommodation, plus a 2,000 CHF
(Swiss Francs) tuition fee for the
residency, and some of the textbooks
that you will need for the course are
not included in these fees.
Accreditation and Recognition
After successfully completing
your studies at Robert Kennedy
College, you will receive a degree
from York St John University which
is duly accredited by the British
Government. York St John University
degrees are recognised worldwide.
4
MBA Leading Innovation and
Change
Introductory
Not-for-credit
Stage 1
Four taught modules plus mandatory
residency (120 credits)
Core
• Leading Innovation and Change
• The Essence of Leadership
• Culture, Leadership and
Innovation in Organisations
• Successful Strategic Thinking
Residential
Mandatory residency week in
Zürich, Switzerland, or York, United
Kingdom.
Stage 2
Individual dissertation (60 credits)
Capstone Project
Supervised dissertation work.
Module Descriptions
Induction
This is the first module of the
programme which gives an
orientation to the course and the
online learning style. It does not
carry credits, and students are
encouraged to go through the
material in this module at their own
pace and get accustomed to the
online medium.
Leading Innovation and Change
The aim of this module is to explore
concepts and theories concerning
how sustainable innovation and
change may be achieved. The
module will include analyses of the
leadership of innovation and change
in different contexts. In addition,
participants will be encouraged
to use their own experience of
leadership, innovation and change to
inform discussion, enquiry, critical
thinking and reflection.
5
MBA Leading Innovation and Change
The Essence of Leadership
The aim of this module is to critically
appraise theories of leadership
and how leaders act to influence
others directly, and also indirectly,
by influencing organisational
systems and structures. The module
will focus on issues of leadership
behaviours and skills required
to achieve sustainable success
and development for groups and
organisations. The module will
include an analysis of the activities
of individuals in leadership roles in
an organisation, or organisations, of
the participant’s choice. Participants
will be encouraged to use their
experience of their own leadership
role to inform discussions, enquiry
and critical thinking.
Culture, Leadership and
Innovation in Organisations
The aim of this module is to study the
cultural context of the organisation
and its impact on performance,
innovation and change. The module
will explore concepts and theories of
national and organisational culture,
concepts from institutional theory
and the relationship between culture
and leadership in organisations. The
impact of culture on how power is
exercised, and on ethical behaviour
in organisations, will be explored.
Successful Strategic Thinking
The aim of the module is to build
awareness and understanding of
strategic thinking and strategic
leadership and their contribution
to sustainable organisational
performance by reviewing relevant
theories, models and concepts.
Participants will develop a critical
appreciation of the complexity
of relationships and tensions
associated with developing and
implementing strategy. They will
be encouraged to use their own
experience to inform discussion,
enquiry, critical thinking and
reflection.
6
MBA Coaching Mentoring and
Leadership
Introductory
Not-for-credit
Stage 1
Four taught modules plus mandatory
residency (120 credits)
Core
• The Essence of Leadership
• Coaching and Mentoring Skills for
Success
• Culture, Leadership and
Innovation in Organisations
• Building Success Through
Coaching and Mentoring
Residential
Mandatory residency week in
Zürich, Switzerland, or York, United
Kingdom.
Stage 2
Individual dissertation (60 credits)
Capstone Project
Supervised dissertation work.
Module Descriptions
Induction
This is the first module of the
programme which gives an
orientation to the course and the
online learning style. It does not
carry credits, and students are
encouraged to go through the
material in this module at their own
pace and get accustomed to the
online medium.
The Essence of Leadership
The aim of this module is to critically
appraise theories of leadership
and how leaders act to influence
others directly, and also indirectly,
by influencing organisational
systems and structures. The module
will focus on issues of leadership
behaviours and skills required
to achieve sustainable success
and development for groups and
organisations. The module will
include an analysis of the activities
of individuals in leadership roles in
an organisation, or organisations, of
7
MBA Coaching Mentoring and Leadership

the participant’s choice. Participants impact of culture on how power is

will be encouraged to use their
experience of their own leadership
role to inform discussions, enquiry
and critical thinking.
Coaching and Mentoring Skills for
Success
This module will focus on supporting
students as they develop the
coaching and mentoring skills
that are instrumental in building
sustainable success for individuals
and groups. It will have a strong
underpinning of theory and practical
application which will be supported
through peer to peer learning.
exercised, and on ethical behaviour
in organisations, will be explored.
Building Success Through
Coaching and Mentoring
This module will focus on evaluating
the application of a range of
coaching and mentoring skills and
frameworks to improve performance
and success for individuals and
organisations.

Culture, Leadership and

Innovation in Organisations
The aim of this module is to study the
cultural context of the organisation
and its impact on performance,
innovation and change. The module
will explore concepts and theories of
national and organisational culture,
concepts from institutional theory
and the relationship between culture
and leadership in organisations. The

8
MBA Entrepreneurship and
Innovation
Introductory
Not-for-credit
Stage 1
Four taught modules plus mandatory
residency (120 credits)
Core
• Leading Innovation and Change
• Entrepreneurship and Society
• Culture, Leadership and
Innovation in Organisations
• Successful Strategic Thinking
Residential
Mandatory residency week in
Zürich, Switzerland, or York, United
Kingdom.
Stage 2
Individual dissertation (60 credits)
Capstone Project
Supervised dissertation work.
Module Descriptions
Induction
This is the first module of the
programme which gives an
orientation to the course and the
online learning style. It does not
carry credits, and students are
encouraged to go through the
material in this module at their own
pace and get accustomed to the
online medium.
Leading Innovation and Change
The aim of this module is to explore
concepts and theories concerning
how sustainable innovation and
change may be achieved. The
module will include analyses of the
leadership of innovation and change
in different contexts. In addition,
participants will be encouraged
to use their own experience of
leadership, innovation and change to
inform discussion, enquiry, critical
thinking and reflection.
9
MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Entrepreneurship and Society
Entrepreneurship and Society seeks
to expose students to the challenges,
contexts and implications of
entrepreneurship in society. The
module is based around 5 seemingly
simple questions pertaining to
a wide range of entrepreneurial
phenomena:
1. Who is the entrepreneur?
2. What is entrepreneurship?
3. Where does entrepreneurship
take place?
4. Why study entrepreneurship as a
social phenomenon?
5. How has entrepreneurship
become a social ideology
(entrepreneurialism)?
By unpacking these questions
through a series of examples,
cases and formative assessments,
the module will give a sense
of the challenges inherent in
starting up and running a new
enterprise. Students will also
develop a critical understanding
of contemporary discourses
surrounding ‘entrepreneurs’ and
‘entrepreneurship’ as they are found
in a range of national cultures and
organizational contexts.
Culture, Leadership and
Innovation in Organisations
The aim of this module is to study the
cultural context of the organisation
and its impact on performance,
innovation and change. The module
will explore concepts and theories of
national and organisational culture,
concepts from institutional theory
and the relationship between culture
and leadership in organisations. The
impact of culture on how power is
exercised, and on ethical behaviour
in organisations, will be explored.
10
MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Successful Strategic Thinking

The aim of the module is to build
awareness and understanding of
strategic thinking and strategic
leadership and their contribution
to sustainable organisational
performance by reviewing relevant
theories, models and concepts.
Participants will develop a critical
appreciation of the complexity
of relationships and tensions
associated with developing and
implementing strategy. They will
be encouraged to use their own
experience to inform discussion,
enquiry, critical thinking and
reflection.exercised, and on ethical
behaviour in organisations, will be
explored.

11
MBA Innovation Leadership and
Consulting
Introductory
Not-for-credit
Stage 1
Four taught modules plus mandatory
residency (120 credits)
Core
• Leading Innovation and Change
• Building and Leading High
Performing Teams
• Mastering Strategic Consulting
• Building Success Through
Coaching and Mentoring
Residential
Mandatory residency week in
Zürich, Switzerland, or York, United
Kingdom.
Stage 2
Individual dissertation (60 credits)
Capstone Project
Supervised dissertation work.
Module Descriptions
Induction
This is the first module of the
programme which gives an
orientation to the course and the
online learning style. It does not
carry credits, and students are
encouraged to go through the
material in this module at their own
pace and get accustomed to the
online medium.
Leading Innovation and Change
The aim of this module is to explore
concepts and theories concerning
how sustainable innovation and
change may be achieved. The
module will include analyses of the
leadership of innovation and change
in different contexts. In addition,
participants will be encouraged
to use their own experience of
leadership, innovation and change to
inform discussion, enquiry, critical
thinking and reflection.
12
MBA Innovation Leadership and Consulting
Building and Leading High
Performing Teams
The aim of this module is to
appraise critically theories of teams,
teamworking and how leadership
may be exercised in teams. The
module will focus on issues of how
effective and creative teams can
be developed and maintained in
organisations, to achieve a high
level of performance. Consideration
will be given to enduring teams,
such as strategic senior leadership
teams, as well as temporary teams
– such as project teams – and also
teams that cross departmental
and organisational boundaries,
and virtual teams. The module
will include an analysis of a team
or teams in an organisation, or
organisations, of the participant’s
choice. Participants will be
encouraged to use their own
experience of team membership
to inform their enquiry and critical
thinking.
Mastering Strategic Consulting
The aim of the module is to build
awareness and understanding of
the main theoretical and empirical
frameworks associated with
management consultancy in order to
develop an understanding of the key
characteristics of the consultancy
industry, its market, and the
distinguishing features of successful
consultancy projects. Participants
will develop a critical appreciation
of the complexity of relationships
and tensions associated with
developing and implementing
successful consultancy projects.
The module will also consider the
role of management consulting
and consultants in contemporary
business and society. Participants
will also be encouraged to use their
own experience to inform discussion,
enquiry, critical thinking and
reflection.
13
MBA Innovation Leadership and Consulting
Successful Strategic Thinking
The aim of the module is to build
awareness and understanding of
strategic thinking and strategic
leadership and their contribution
to sustainable organisational
performance by reviewing relevant
theories, models and concepts.
Participants will develop a critical
appreciation of the complexity
of relationships and tensions
associated with developing and
implementing strategy. They will
be encouraged to use their own
experience to inform discussion,
enquiry, critical thinking and
reflection.exercised, and on ethical
behaviour in organisations, will be
explored.
14
MBA Leadership and
Management
Introductory Module Descriptions
Not-for-credit Induction
This is the first module of the
Stage 1 programme which gives an
Four taught modules plus mandatory orientation to the course and the
residency (120 credits) online learning style. It does not
carry credits, and students are
Core encouraged to go through the
material in this module at their own
• The Essence of Leadership
pace and get accustomed to the
• Building and Leading High
online medium.
Performing Teams
• Coaching and Mentoring Skills for
Success
The Essence of Leadership
• Successful Strategic Thinking The aim of this module is to critically
appraise theories of leadership
Residential and how leaders act to influence
others directly, and also indirectly,
Mandatory residency week in
by influencing organisational
Zürich, Switzerland, or York, United
systems and structures. The module
Kingdom.
will focus on issues of leadership
behaviours and skills required
Stage 2 to achieve sustainable success
Individual dissertation (60 credits) and development for groups and
organisations. The module will
Capstone Project include an analysis of the activities
Supervised dissertation work. of individuals in leadership roles in
an organisation, or organisations, of

15
MBA Leadership and Management

the participant’s choice. Participants experience of team membership

will be encouraged to use their to inform their enquiry and critical
experience of their own leadership thinking.
role to inform discussions, enquiry
and critical thinking. Coaching and Mentoring Skills for
Success
Building and Leading High This module will focus on supporting
Performing Teams students as they develop the
The aim of this module is to coaching and mentoring skills
appraise critically theories of teams, that are instrumental in building
teamworking and how leadership sustainable success for individuals
may be exercised in teams. The and groups. It will have a strong
module will focus on issues of how underpinning of theory and practical
effective and creative teams can application which will be supported
be developed and maintained in through peer to peer learning.
organisations, to achieve a high
level of performance. Consideration
will be given to enduring teams,
such as strategic senior leadership
teams, as well as temporary teams
– such as project teams – and also
teams that cross departmental
and organisational boundaries,
and virtual teams. The module
will include an analysis of a team
or teams in an organisation, or
organisations, of the participant’s
choice. Participants will be
encouraged to use their own

16
MBA Leadership and Management

Successful Strategic Thinking

The aim of the module is to build
awareness and understanding of
strategic thinking and strategic
leadership and their contribution
to sustainable organisational
performance by reviewing relevant
theories, models and concepts.
Participants will develop a critical
appreciation of the complexity
of relationships and tensions
associated with developing and
implementing strategy. They will
be encouraged to use their own
experience to inform discussion,
enquiry, critical thinking and
reflection.

17
MBA Management Consulting
Introductory
Not-for-credit
Stage 1
Four taught modules plus mandatory
residency (120 credits)
Core
• Mastering Strategic Consulting
• Culture, Leadership and Innova-
tion in Organisations
• High Impact Management
Consulting
• Successful Strategic Thinking
Residential
Mandatory residency week in
Zürich, Switzerland, or York, United
Kingdom.
Stage 2
Individual dissertation (60 credits)
Capstone Project
Supervised dissertation work.
Module Descriptions
Induction
This is the first module of the
programme which gives an
orientation to the course and the
online learning style. It does not
carry credits, and students are
encouraged to go through the
material in this module at their own
pace and get accustomed to the
online medium.
Mastering Strategic Consulting
The aim of the module is to build
awareness and understanding of
the main theoretical and empirical
frameworks associated with
management consultancy in order to
develop an understanding of the key
characteristics of the consultancy
industry, its market, and the
distinguishing features of successful
consultancy projects. Participants
will develop a critical appreciation
of the complexity of relationships
and tensions associated with
developing and implementing
18
MBA Management Consulting
successful consultancy projects.
The module will also consider the
role of management consulting
and consultants in contemporary
business and society. Participants
will also be encouraged to use their
own experience to inform discussion,
enquiry, critical thinking and
reflection.
Culture, Leadership and
Innovation in Organisations
The aim of this module is to study the
cultural context of the organisation
and its impact on performance,
innovation and change. The module
will explore concepts and theories of
national and organisational culture,
concepts from institutional theory
and the relationship between culture
and leadership in organisations. The
impact of culture on how power is
exercised, and on ethical behaviour
in organisations, will be explored.
High Impact Management
Consulting
The aim of the module is to build
awareness and understanding of
how consultancy can make a real
difference within organisational
through the appropriate use of
techniques and strategies that
combine corporate strategy with
consultancy. The module will
examine the nature of consultancy
and what that means to different
stakeholders and how competing
influences can be accommodated.
Participants will develop a critical
appreciation of the complexity
of developing and implementing
consultancy strategy that has both
uniqueness and resilience. The
process of evaluation and review and
implementation of strategy revision
will also be explored. Participants
will be encouraged to use their own
experience to inform discussion,
enquiry, critical thinking and
reflection.
19
MBA Management Consulting

Successful Strategic Thinking

The aim of the module is to build
awareness and understanding of
strategic thinking and strategic
leadership and their contribution
to sustainable organisational
performance by reviewing relevant
theories, models and concepts.
Participants will develop a critical
appreciation of the complexity
of relationships and tensions
associated with developing and
implementing strategy. They will
be encouraged to use their own
experience to inform discussion,
enquiry, critical thinking and
reflection.

20
Core Course Team
Dr. iur. David Costa
Dean
David Costa is Dean of Faculty
and one of the founders of Robert
Kennedy College. In his capacity as
Dean, Dr. Costa oversees the faculty
review process of the college, as
well as several of the academic
programmes.

Dr. Costa holds a Dr. iur. (Doctor

Iuris, Doctor of Law) degree from
the University of Basel, Switzerland
where he researched the law and
regulations related to synthetic
investment products, an LL.M in U.S.
law from the School of Law of the
Washington University in St. Louis,
Missouri and an LL.M in International
Trade Law from the School of Law
of the University of Northumbria at
Newcastle. Edinburgh, and a PhD in Strategy,
Programme and Project Management
Dean Costa also holds a BA in from the École Supérieure de
Business Studies from the University Commerce de Lille (with a thesis
of Derby, an MBA in eCommerce on index-based commodity
from Queen Margaret University in investments).

22
Course Core Team
Dr. Costa lectures in the area
of Investment Law, Contracts
Law, Negotiations and Money
Management, and is a frequent guest
on business television channels such
as CNBC Europe and Bloomberg
Television.
His research on risk-adjusted
portfolios of stocks and commodities
has been used for the creation of a
Swiss publicly traded investment
certificate issued by Commerzbank
AG, Germany’s second largest bank.
He is the author of The Portable
Private Banker and The Art of
Banking.
Dr Brendan Paddison,
FHEA, BA (Hons), PhD
Head of Programme,
York St John University
Brendan is a Senior Lecturer
in Business and Management
at York St John University, teaching
on both the undergraduate and
postgraduate programmes.
Brendan teaches across a range
of Business and Management
subject areas, including IT, tourism,
project management, business
politics and career and professional
development.
Brendan recently completed his PhD
titled Governance and Community
Advocacy in Tourism Development:
An International Comparison
awarded by the University of
Leeds. His main research interests
include tourism, urban geography,
destination governance, public policy
and public sector management.
Brendan is a committee member on
the Minster Quarter, appointed in
2008, and a member of the Visit York
Visitor Economy steering group.
Brendan is the York Business School
academic lead for the placement
year degree programmes and also
leads the Heritage and Arts Visitor
Research Collaborative (HAVRC)
23
Course Core Team
research group. As a University
Liaison Representative within York
Business School, Brendan works
closely with our collaborative
partners at home and overseas.
Previously, Brendan worked for
an international language school
teaching English as a foreign
language. He has also lectured at
partner universities in Rotterdam,
Seville and Vietnam.
Dr Radu Negoescu, MSc,
PhD
Programme Leader,
Robert Kennedy College
Dr Radu Negoescu has an
MSc in Computer Science
and a Postgraduate Diploma
in Management Studies from the
Polytechnic University of Bucharest.
He has worked in the software
and services industry in Romania,
and later joined RKC as their Chief
Software Architect.
After a short intermezzo during
which he quenched his life-long
thirst to study law at the University
of Neuchâtel, Radu went back to his
original field of study and obtained
his PhD in Computer Science
from the Ecole polytechnique
fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
in 2011. His research involved
using probabilistic models for the
modelling and understanding of
online communities in social media,
with a focus on human behaviour in
photo sharing environments. He has
been back at RKC since June 2011 as
the Programme Leader for the MA in
Leading Innovation and Change, as
well as tutoring and looking at new
ways in which technology can make
students’ study life easier and more
enjoyable and rewarding.
24
Course Core Team
Dr George Boak, MSc,
MA, PhD
Senior Lecturer, Managers”. He is an Associate of the
York St John University
George has worked on
aspects of individual and
organisational development
for over 30 years, with managers
and professionals from the UK
health service, local government,
and from a wide range of private
sector companies, large and small.
He is particularly interested in
leadership, leadership development,
and how change and innovation
can be brought about in complex
organisations. He is a core member
of the University’s executive MA in
Leading Innovation and Change. As
well as working part-time for the
University, he also runs his own
company providing training, coaching
and consultancy, which he has
done for 20 years. He is the author
of “A Complete Guide to Learning
Contracts” and co-author, with David
Thompson, of “Mental Models for
Institute of Employment Studies.
Irene Chu, FHEA, MBA
Senior Lecturer,
York St John University
Irene is a Senior Lecturer
in Management. She has
worked for more than 10
years in the public and
private sectors in Taiwan and
her areas of expertise including
marketing, tourism promotion
and event services. After gaining
her MBA degree in Durham, she
developed her teaching experience
in the further education sector. Her
specialist areas cover sustainability,
corporate social responsibility, the
business environment and business
ethics. She is currently studying for
a PhD at Durham Business School
25
Course Core Team

and is interested in the contrast in

culture between the East and the
West, especially the role of business
in different societies, based on
concepts of the contemporary moral
and political philosopher Alasdair
MacIntyre.

Irene teaches both undergraduate

and postgraduate programmes
across a range of subject areas
in business management such
as organization, competition and
environment, sustainable business,
operational management and
information systems, and leadership
and management.

David Costa and Stefano Costa

Nasdaq, New York, USA.

26
Programme Tutors
Professor David Duffill
Deputy Dean, Robert
Kennedy College
MA Engineering Science
(Pembroke College, Oxford
University), MBA (Harvard
Business School), Harkness
Fellow (1975-1977).
With his Oxford MA and his Harvard
MBA Prof. David Duffill had been a
professional consultant for almost
20 years when in 1997 the company
in which he was a partner was
sold to Renaissance Solutions of
the USA. Two years later, he and
three colleagues left Renaissance
to start TCI Consulting, a “virtual”
consultancy specializing in helping
clients by providing strategy inputs
and business intelligence for their
strategic planning process.
While Prof. Duffill’s main recent
industrial focus has been in
the healthcare, automotive and
construction materials markets, his
experience covers a broad range of
industrial and service organisations.
A substantial part of his current
consulting activity is in competitive
intelligence, including helping clients
to benchmark their cost position
against key competitors.
David Thompson MA, PG
Dips HRM and BPS, Henley
Professional Certificate in
Coaching
David spent twelve years as
a consulting academic in
higher education designing
and delivering learning programmes
for public and private organisations.
He was MBA Programme Director
and external examiner for a number
of programmes at Master’s level,
including the York St John MALIC
programme. His MA is based on
27
Programme Tutors
research into how adult students
learn in non-traditional programmes.
Since 2001 David has run his
own consulting business which
advises organisations on a range of
development initiatives, of which a
few examples are: the creation of
a corporate university as a culture
change agent in a multinational
company based in Russia; top
team development in companies in
the US, Italy, Sweden, Poland and
France; business expansion through
innovation; managing culture
changes which result from business
growth; intercultural partnership
development; and family business
succession. In addition to a number
of research articles and learning
materials published over the years,
David is co-author, with George Boak,
of Mental Models for Managers.
Dr Alistair Benson
MSc, MBA, PhD
Academic Director
Alistair Benson turned to
Business Studies after
15 years of research in
the medical field. After
completing his MBA, he devoted
himself to higher-education
teaching and postgraduate research
supervision at both Master and
Doctoral levels, activities in which he
has been deeply involved for the past
35 years. One of his major teaching
areas of interest is leadership in
organisations.
In his position as Academic Director
at Robert Kennedy College, his
responsibilities involve developing,
monitoring and assessing current
teaching practice, and reviewing
the relevant materials and delivery
channels.
28
Programme Tutors

Emeritus Professor
Gabriel Jacobs
Member of the Board
of Academic Governors
and Research Coordinator,
Robert Kennedy College
BA (University of London),
Ph.D. (University of Wales) Before
retiring from his Chair of Business
Information Technology at Swansea
University, Professor Jacobs’s
primary teaching interests were in
multimedia applications, business
telematics and computer-assisted
learning. In 1993, he helped found
the Association for Learning
Technology and for nine years was
Editor then Executive Editor of its
journal, ALT-J. Before that, he was
Joint Editor of the journal Interactive
Multimedia.
Professor Jacobs has directed
several major European-funded
projects related to small businesses,
multimedia and e-learning. He has
researched and published very
extensively in the areas of IT and
general business management.

29
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