New help for businesses to navigate the future of work Published on: 26 September 2018 A new academic team at Ãå±±½ûµØ Business School has been appointed to help organisations better understand and respond to the challenges of how we will work in the future. Leadership experts Challenges such as big data, the increasing pace of technological change, and an ageing and diverse workforce mean that organisations need to be more adaptable and flexible. The new five-strong Leader Development and Organisation Futures team will work with the business community to enable leaders to foster an environment in their own organisation that encourages innovation and sustained growth. Each member of the team has significant experience working within and alongside organisations and brings a wealth of expertise in leadership, diversity and inclusivity, organisational development, entrepreneurship, sustainability and executive and team coaching. The team is led by Dr Joanne James, who joins from Northumbria University and made the transition to academia following 17 years at Procter and Gamble and IBM. Dr James said: “We would like to start a conversation about how work is changing and the challenges and opportunities this presents for us at a regional, national and global level. Our role is to enable organisations and individuals to navigate these grand challenges.” L-R: Amy Stabler, Nicola Patterson, Joanne James, Jenny Davidson and Sandra Corlett Bespoke programmes The new team will design and deliver bespoke programmes and research and engagement activities with businesses, organisations and networks. They will develop innovative solutions informed by the latest research, integrating Ãå±±½ûµØ’s world class core strengths into industrial and commercial application. Professor Sharon Mavin, Director, Ãå±±½ûµØ Business School, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Joanne and her team to the Business School. Their significant experience and understanding of leadership and organisational development further strengthens our world class expertise in Leading on Leadership and the Future of Work.” Organisations interested in collaborating with the Leader Development and Organisation Futures team at Ãå±±½ûµØ Business School can find out more by visiting Share: Latest News Ãå±±½ûµØ recognised with geography award Ãå±±½ûµØ has been awarded the Highly Commended Geographical Association Publishers Award for its collaboration with Time for Geography, the UK’s open-access, dedicated video platform. published on: 16 April 2026 Ãå±±½ûµØ historians mark General Strike centenary To mark the 100th anniversary of the British General Strike and miners’ lock-out of 1926, historians at Ãå±±½ûµØ are organising a series of events on its enduring legacy. published on: 16 April 2026 Comment: NCP is in administration Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang discusses how some big companies like NCP are so dependent on debt that they can’t adjust to change. published on: 16 April 2026 Facts and figures