University of Suffolk Business Solutions Centre

28/10/2026

What would you ask a room full of HR professionals?

How are they measuring the impact of leadership development?
How are they tackling employee engagement?
How are they developing future leaders?
How are they navigating workforce change?

These are the kinds of conversations we'll be exploring at the inaugural HR Impact Network on 4 November.

This isn't your traditional event resulting in presentation fatigue, it's a forum for HR and people professionals to share experiences, challenge thinking and learn from one another.

Included within the agenda you'll hear from (and discuss with) Cathie Donaldson and Dr Keith Hotchkiss about:
Leadership Development Impact - research insights and case study
The Great Workplace Lie: Why most employee engagement strategies fail

🗓️ 4 November
📍 University of Suffolk
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hr-impact-network-tickets-2003052699545

21/10/2026

Who do you turn to when you need an honest conversation about the challenges you’re facing in HR?

The HR Impact Network has been developed to create a trusted space where people can openly discuss the challenges they're facing, learn from one another and gain practical insights they can take back into their organisations.

On 4 November, University of Suffolk hosting professionals within HR from across Suffolk for a morning of discussion, shared learning and networking.

We'll hear insights from:
💡 Cathie Donaldson - MBA Founder of Leadership Impact, on leadership development research and evidence-based practice
💡 Dr Keith Hotchkiss on why many employee engagement strategies fail.

But this isn’t intended to be a morning of presentations.
Discussion is built throughout the sessions to:
🌟 Share experience and best practice
🌟 Discuss leadership development, workforce challenges and employee engagement
🌟 Exchange ideas and build connections with professionals from diffent sectors and organisation.
➡️ But most importantly attendees will help to shape future discussions, themes, research and expert contributions across the network.

Join the discussion:
4 November
The Atrium, University of Suffolk
Reserve a free space: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hr-impact-network-tickets-2003052699545?aff=oddtdtcreator

13/10/2026

🎙️ "The Great Workplace Lie"...

It's one of the thought-provoking topics we'll be exploring at the launch of the HR Impact Network.

If you're an HR, People, Learning & Development or Organisational Development professional, this event is for you and here topics including:

💡 How do we measure leadership impact?
💡 Why do engagement programmes fail?
💡 How do we prepare leaders for a changing workforce?

Join the conversation on 4 November from 8:30am at the University of Suffolk and connect with peers who are navigating the same challenges.

🎟️ Free event
🔗 Register for your free place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hr-impact-network-tickets-2003052699545

23/09/2026

🎉𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬!

Today, apprentices from our Level 4 Associate Project Manager, Level 6 Project Manager and Level 6 Environmental Health Practitioner programmes joined us for Academic Induction.

The day was about much more than timetables and systems. Students met their course teams, discovered the support available across the University of Suffolk, and got to know one another through an Ipswich Waterfront historical trivia challenge.

A key message throughout the day was to make the most of every opportunity, build strong professional networks and remember that the people you meet throughout your apprenticeship can help shape your future career.

We're excited to see what this year's apprentices achieve and are delighted to welcome them to the University of Suffolk community.

23/09/2026

Apprenticeships aren't just for school leavers. They're for career builders too. 💙

After building successful careers at the University of Suffolk , three members of our Apprenticeship team are taking the next step in their professional development through apprenticeships.

📚 Gemma has started a Chartered Manager apprenticeship at West Suffolk College, while Ellen and Vivian have begun Associate Project Manager apprenticeships here at the University of Suffolk.

All three are already experienced professionals, but they share a desire to keep learning, develop new skills and create even more opportunities for their future careers.

Their journeys are a great reminder that apprenticeships can help people at any stage of their career. With levy funding available, employers can invest in their workforce, helping staff gain valuable qualifications while continuing to contribute to the business.

At the University of Suffolk, we're proud to invest in our people and support their ambitions, because when our staff grow, so does our organisation.

22/09/2026

🎉 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤!

What could your apprenticeship journey look like in a year's time?

For Dyllon Burdge, studying the Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship (Level 4) with the University of Suffolk has meant developing new skills, gaining valuable experience with Sizewell C, working towards a degree, and growing in confidence along the way.

💬"Through the support that this apprenticeship has given me and the development already in like six months, it's definitely pushing me towards the career I want to do."

As a new academic year begins, Dyllon's story shows just how much can happen when you combine learning with hands-on industry experience.

Good luck to all of our new apprentices as they begin their own journey.

You can view this video and many more about apprenticeships on our University of Suffolk Business Solutions Centre YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPiDeGYtheY

17/09/2026

If you're a business leader looking to turn AI potential into practical action, the AI Leadership: Strategy and Opportunity apprenticeship unit from the University of Suffolk offers a focused, high-impact way to get started.

Apprenticeship units offer flexible, targeted professional development without the commitment of a full apprenticeship

Why choose this course?
- From the 28 October: 1 day a week for 5 weeks
- Levy funded: £750 with apprenticeship levy funding available
- Practical and actionable: Learn through real-world case studies, industry guest speakers, expert-led sessions and interactive workshops
- Immediate impact: Gain the tools and confidence to identify AI opportunities, manage risks and build a strategy aligned to your organisation's goals.

Whether you're exploring AI for the first time or shaping organisational adoption, this course is designed to help you lead with confidence and make informed decisions.

11/09/2026

Have your say on nature in Suffolk.

Through a Student Impact Project, a University of Suffolk student has partnered with Suffolk Wildlife Trust to deliver valuable research into how people in the region connect with nature and care for local wildlife.

Do you have a few minutes to complete The Great Suffolk Nature Survey and help Suffolk Wildlife Trust and your feedback will contribute to an annual benchmark study?

To take the survey visit: https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/form/nature-connection-survey

Every response makes a difference, both for Suffolk's wildlife and for a student gaining hands-on experience tackling a real-world challenge for a local charity.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust is Suffolk’s nature charity – the only organisation dedicated to safeguarding Suffolk’s wildlife and countryside.

04/09/2026

🎙️ "𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥."

In this episode of the University of Suffolk Business Solutions Podcast, Amy Barr, Skills Development Lead at Sizewell C, discusses her journey from engineering apprentice to educator, MBA graduate and leader of one of the UK's most ambitious skills programmes.

Amy explains how Sizewell C aims to train at least 1,500 apprentices throughout the lifespan of the project and the lasting legacy it hopes to leave through skills development, education, and workforce growth across Suffolk.

It's a fascinating conversation that highlights the importance of engaging young people early, helping them understand future career opportunities and make informed choices about their future careers.

🎧 Take a listen:

https://lnkd.in/e6jwZ7cw


36s

25/08/2026

📚𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐊𝐒𝐀 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠?

In our latest Business Solutions Podcast, Cindy Cassidy (Lecturer in CBT and Counselling) explains how the University of Suffolk’s online, self-paced CPD course guides learners through the 14 portfolio criteria, with step-by-step resources and individual support.

🎥 Watch the conversation on our YouTube channel:

https://youtu.be/QzhUGLLX9EE

Find out more via the course page link:

https://www.uos.ac.uk/study/cpd-ksa-portfolio/