Visiting Industrial Fellows

Our Visiting Industrial Fellows are part of our Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs) and Visiting Industrial Fellows (VIFs) scheme.

The Visiting Industrial Fellow (VIF) scheme engages individuals with the background, experience and enthusiasm to deliver business, commercial and related insights and support work for our students, staff and stakeholders.

Visiting Industrial Fellows (VIFs) are part of a network that aims to provide learners and staff at OBBS and across the University with rapid access to a broad and deep base of knowledge, experience and contacts. Specifically, they will be providing insight into the functional challenges of managing and working within larger organisations, and the skills required to develop a successful career.

As well as providing inspiration for our students, Visiting Industrial Fellows are embedded across the Business School, contributing their thinking and insights into new programme development, community engagement and knowledge exchange.

VIFs are selected according to criteria including their potential contribution, ‘fit’ with the Business School ethos, and engagement with relevant subject areas. Actual activities may vary between Fellows, but may include some of these activities:

  • Delivering School-wide lectures to staff and students
  • Participation in network events & discussion forums to aid the development of OBBS teaching and research
  • Contribute to OBBS programme development
  • Providing insight into current issues
  • Signposting / providing opportunities for live industry projects
  • Guest lectures on programmes
  • Providing mentoring to students and/or staff
  • Attending graduation ceremonies
  • Acting as an OBBS ambassador to provide wider links/contacts to enhance OBBS activities

Our Visiting Industrial Fellows are:

Jonathan Arthurs
Jonathan Arthurs

Jon has over 25 years marketing and insight experience gained in both corporate roles and Consulting roles in agencies and consultancies. He currently has two core roles at Metrixlab, one where he leads European Development as Managing Director across Europe, opening up new offices and developing markets. He is passionate about developing products, brands and communications for the good of people, planet and profit.

Steve Butler
Steve Butler

Steve is an experienced SME business leader, chartered manager, academic researcher and business author. He is a campaigner for developing an inclusive culture in the workplace, regularly writing and speaking to promote best practice on intergenerational working, retirement and older worker business management issues.

Elle Covell
Elle Covell

Elle Covell is the New Partnership Manager for Trusts, Foundations and Institutions at Comic Relief, she has a background in project and partnership management in British Charities and NGOs. She has a passion for shifting the power of development from western organisations to local and national civil society organisations, run by those of lived experience.

Fanzi Down
Fanzi Down

Fanzi Down heads up the confectionery division at DPS Designs, a design engineering business that operates in confectionery, automotive and aerospace industries. She has a real passion for innovation and continuous improvement in business. Fanzi was the one of the inaugural Women in Innovation award holders in 2016 by InnovateUK, and led the business winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2020. 

Paul Hutton
Paul Hutton

Paul has a passion for events, is recognised as one of the top 100 influential people in the UK event technology sector and has spent the last four decades spearheading some of the most successful Technical Staging company’s in Europe. In his career he has worked alongside some of the largest global production companies and corporates assisting them in the delivery of extraordinary events.

Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson

Rob Johnson has been a Visiting Industrial Fellow at Oxford Brookes Business School since 2021. He regularly contributes on Automotive Industry and Supply Chain topics to MBA programmes at a number of other UK business schools . He is today also a business consultant , and advisor/board member to two start up businesses focused on areas of sustainability in automotive.

Teresa Moore
Teresa Moore

As well as being Director of AGF and Co-founder of GEI Teresa is an internationally recognised industry speaker, consultant and researcher and author.

She leads on strategy and education, training, and research at A Greener Future. She created AGF’s online Assessor Training and Development programme and AGF’s short course portfolio. She also delivers in house workshops on sustainable event management for businesses.

Mike Pooley
Mike Pooley

Mike has enjoyed a senior management career of over 40 years that has spanned the world.

Since 2013 he has run purpose -made solutions limited, advising on business planning, expansion, and core product development, and helped to steer strategic programmes worldwide. In addition, he regularly provides executive search and coaching in support of food, service, travel, and lifestyle brands both independently, and as a Partner at The Hayward Partnership. 

Andrew Potter
Andrew Potter

Andrew's experience includes NED, CEO, Supply Chain Director and Senior Consulting roles. His post-MBA career began in Consulting where he progressed to Director in PwC’s Supply Chain practice. In 2002 he joined Coles Myer, Australia’s largest retailer, as Group Supply Chain Director. His team of 10,000 people operated and transformed the Supply Chain across an £11bn sales retail business. Andrew is passionate about helping leaders inspire their teams to generate exceptional results.

John Steel
John Steel

Cafédirect’s CEO, John Steel, is a business leader and social entrepreneur with a passion for making business a force for good. In 2018 Cafédirect became the 1st coffee company in the UK to be B Corp certified and was recognised as the Social Enterprise of the Year.

John is a passionate and genuine believer in the need for real change in the way business contributes to society and the wider world. 

Guest Lectures and Roundtable Discussions

Our Entrepreneurs in Residence are delivering a series of guest lectures and thematic roundtable discussions throughout the year. These are open events that are free to attend and cover a range of topics from strategy to sustainability. The lectures and discussions take place in person at Oxford Brookes and are all streamed online. 

Our Visiting Industrial Fellows for 2021-2023 were:

Brendan Hattam, Centre Director, Westgate Shopping Centre Oxford

Frank Nigriello, Director of Corporate Affairs, Unipart

Robert Johnson, Former Global Purchasing Director, Jaguar Land Rover

Christopher Blake, Director, The Green Valleys (Wales) CIC

John Steel, CEO, Cafedirect

Dr Melissa Carson, Senior Advisor, Speaker, Lecturer and Thought Leader

Bob Shankly, HR Director, BMW

Steve Butler, Chief Executive, Punter Southall Aspire.