Henley Alumni Association (UK)
As part of the HBS alumni strategic plan, it was decided to set up a new umbrella alumni organisation to cover the whole of the UK.
Its brief is:
- To support the aims and objectives of Henley Business School (HBS), and help provide social and educational opportunities for the benefit of alumni in the UK;
- To provide the management of Henley Business School with advice concerning the provision of alumni services by the Alumni Office, via the Alumni Council;
- To promote the formation of regional groups and support the activities of the Special Interest Groups;
- To draw up a constitution to be implemented by 31 December 2010;
- To organise the election of a new Board by 1 November 2010, the Board to take office on 1 January 2011.
In May 2011 the board's term of office was extended to 31 December 2011.
In November 2008, Professor Chris Bones, Dean of the Henley Business School, announced the appointment of the first President and Chairman to help oversee the recruitment of the first Board.
David Jefferies, CBE, F.R Eng, CCMI, LLD (Hons) was the first president, and retired in October 2011. A successor will be announced in due course. David attended Henley as a member of GMC 69.
Johann Diaz, BSc, MBA joins the Board as Chairman. Before completing his MBA in 2000, he had already established one of the first online jobs boards (MBAmatch.com) and has since led business, service and operations management teams within such companies as Thorn EMI, Securicor Communications and Transport for London. Johann says his MBA gave him the springboard to launch from a full-time corporate career into one which offers him more flexibility of time and choice.
In accepting the role of Chairman of the association Johann said: 'I am a firm believer in the latent power contained within the global MBA network. Henley, above all, should be able to build and support this network because of its large distance learning community. Having been involved within the various Alumni leadership teams over the past seven years I believe Henley Business School has finally got itself into the best position possible to capitalize on this valuable network, and I am therefore very happy to help get the ball rolling in the UK'.
In March 2009, Philip Gee, (SMP 1992) Bill Guthrie (MBA 2008) and Simon Leigh (MBA 1999) (resigned October 2011) were also appointed by the Dean, and were joined by Terry Greynoth (MBA 1996) who was nominated as their representative by the London & South East Alumni Group (resigned 2010). Paul Coombes (MBA 2008) became the representative in May 2011. The intention is that, as other recognised groups come into existence, they can also nominate Board members.
The UK board has met regularly since the early part of 2009. After the initial acceptance of terms of reference and discussions around overall Henley Business School alumni governance structures, the Board has compiled a list of high priority objectives / tactical improvements which would help in the delivery of future alumni services. These are (in no particular order):
- implement new online booking and payment system
- provide online access to the Alumni contact database
- establish a pool of recommended speakers for SIG and Regional events
- provide an easily accessible online coordinated events calendar
- run two regional events outside of Henley and London
In addition to these, all Board members have committed to liaise with one or more Special Interest Groups with a view to maintaining coordination of activities and interests. Many will also be present at future Graduation ceremonies in order to raise the profile of the UK Alumni community.
Event Reports
Achieving Excellence in Customer Management: Understanding the Perfect Customer Experience - 22 April 2010
The first of a series of events being organised by HAA (UK) for alumni outside London and the SE was held on 22 April. Having braved the traffic chaos caused by the televised Prime Ministerial debates being broadcast from the city, over 30 alumni and guests enjoyed networking over wine and canapés at the Engineer's House, Clifton, Bristol, before hearing Professor Moira Clark talk about "Achieving Excellence in Customer Management: Understanding the Perfect Customer Experience". Her lecture is posted on our website. If you would like to help organise an event in your region, or have suggestions for speakers and venues, please contact Geraldine Tomes, Secretary to the HAA (UK) Board - geraldine.tomes@henley.com
Meeting Reports
- HAAUK Constitution March 2009 (PDF-48 KB)
- HAAUK Guidlines March 2009 (PDF-29 KB)
- HAAUK Meeting Minutes May 2009 (PDF-53 KB)
- HAAUK Agenda September 2009 (PDF-29 KB)
- HAAUK Meeting Minutes September 2009 (PDF-52 KB)
- HAA (UK) Minutes April 2011 (PDF-216KB)
If you have any thoughts, ideas or feedback you would like to offer to the UK Board, please do not hesitate to email the Alumni Services team at alumni@henley.com.