Chris Watson
Business Development Manager (Interim)
Worcester Business School
External Engagement and Business Development Team
email: chris.watson2@worc.ac.uk
tel: 07387 236466
Chris leads the Business Development Team at Worcester Business School working closely with the Head of School and academic colleagues to develop the School’s external engagement and commercial activity. His background spans Higher Education, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Programme Management and Executive Consultancy.
Chris builds and manages meaningful relationships with local and regional businesses, employers, alumni, professional organisations and external partners.
He supports organisations to engage with Worcester Business School connecting students through placements and internships, live projects, employer engagement, networking and through events. Chris is passionate towards identifying new opportunities for collaboration, income generation, improving the student experience and demonstrating regional impact.
With his experience in programme management, Chris leads on Executive Education in the Business Development Team overseeing the Help to Grow programme, the Executive MBA and upcoming executive education programmes.
He also leads the development of opportunities that connect students with the business community including entrepreneurship, mentoring, competitions and initiatives such as the Business Opportunities for Student Start-ups (BOSS) programme and the ARC partnership programme.
In addition, Chris leads the operational development of Advisory Boards and contributes to strategic activity including current and future accreditations, bids and awards.
He works across academic and professional services teams to ensure that external relationships are coordinated effectively and create value for students, for businesses, for the School and for the wider Midlands region.